9,000 miles is a long ride on a bicycle, but when you have a full year in which to ride this distance, it only works out to an average of just under 25 miles per day. I began with a ceremonial tire dunk on the east bank of the East River  in DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY this afternoon. I have been riding test rides throughout New York City, for the better part of a month, to gauge the reception for this ride to address Bullying and Adolescent Suicide. The interest has been beyond all expectations. Conversations with individuals of all ages is a common occurrence. Two national news organizations have been in contact with me and several small market news media have contacted me as well. The need to spread word of this ride is critical and will help to save lives when an individual who is going through a hard time realizes the importance of their life.

The weather gods were certainly on the side of One Million Acts Of Kindness while filming of an outdoor piece by a major television network. The filming today followed a studio visit here in New York City where I was interviewed for 90 minutes. Today, dozens of individuals were interviewed near The Kindness Bus and were asked various questions about kindness, the impact of the One Million Acts Of Kindness mission and questions about bullying and suicide. The documentary will air around Thanksgiving. I will certainly post a link to the story and divulge the name of the network.
Inspired by the US Department of Education contacting me, I spent the remainder of today, emailing and phoning various Departments of Education at the state level.

Don’t use words that hurt, Stop hatred, Kindness for everyone No exceptions, Be kind 2 people, Teach respect, are the five quotations written on The Kindness Bus which surround me in today’s photo. Three of the quotes were thought of by children.
Don’t use words that hurt, is all important. It is easy to hurt someone through the use of negative words. When spread on social media networks, negative words can have devastating results.
Be kind to people, is an idea that should be a continual mind set for everyone. Bullying would be nonexistent if these words were applied to all our lives.
Teach respect, is a concept which should be taught to children as toddlers.
All of these five quotations, if embraced by all children, would lead to a society that doesn’t bully.
October is Bullying Awareness Month and today is wear Purple to Stand Against Bullying Day. These great events will hopefully help to remind everyone, that bullying is something that shouldn’t happen to anyone, every day of the year.

Pat Lyden, Executive Director and CEO of the Suicide Prevention Education Alliance (SPEA) wrote to me today with their endorsement of my Ring Our Country with Kindness ride (R.O.C.K.) 9,000 mile ride to prevent teen suicide. To me, this is an incredible honor. The following is taken from their website, www.speaneohio.org
SPEA, located in Cleveland, Ohio, teaches teens to be the “first line of defense” in preventing suicide, since teens who make a plan to end their life tell a friend. SPEA has delivered its proven program, Recognizing Teen Depression and Preventing Suicide, to more than 100,000 students since December 2000 and currently serves 120 Northeast Ohio high schools.  SPEA’s professional instructors teach teens to identify peers who may be suffering from major depression or may be at risk of suicide; how to respond; and where to refer.  Self-referral is also encouraged.

Their goal is to cause at-risk students to seek and receive treatment from a mental health professional, as treatment is life altering and often lifesaving.

On Monday, five short days from now, the Ring Our Country with Kindness (R.O.C.K.) ride begins. This 1 year, 9,000 mile bicycle ride around the perimeter of the United States will raise awareness about School Bullying and Adolescent Suicide.
The initial 2 weeks will take me quickly down the east coast to Florida. I will be traveling to nearly one University  every day along my journey. Rutgers, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, University of Delaware, Loyola, Georgetown, University of Richmond, North Carolina State University, Methodist University, College of Charleston, SCAD and then into and along the eastern coast of Florida, visiting various colleges and universities.
I will spend nearly three months in Florida visiting educational institutions from kindergarten through college presenting age appropriate programs addressing bullying and suicide.

I pulled onto the College Walk at Columbia University at the invite of Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Terry Martinez. This center of campus walkway is used by nearly everyone on campus.
Naomi Cole, a student who works at the Spectator, spotted my bus a few weeks ago in Brooklyn and got the ball rolling for our visit here today.
I was met on campus by Nino Rekhviashvili, a reporter for the Columbia Spectator. She conducted a great interview (link below) while I interacted with students and faculty. This beautiful campus in New York City has some of the brightest students from around the globe.

http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2012/10/17/national-tour-kindness-bus-spreads-vibes-college-walk

Talking with individuals and groups of people while out and about on The Kindness Bicycle and at The Kindness Bus, I try to convey the most meaningful thoughts and ideas that align with the needs of the conversation or questions asked.
Today, I looked in the direction of where The Kindness Bicycle was located, as I talked with a group at The Kindness Bus. A young woman was reading one of my handout sheets and from her body language, it seemed as if she was having a difficult time. I excused myself from the group I was talking with and walked the few hundred feet to her. This young woman, with tears streaming down her face looked up to me as I introduced myself. “I wish my friend would have seen this,” as she motioned to the sign on The Kindness Bicycle which reads, “Someone needs you. Don’t end your life.”
We talked for nearly two hours about the importance of so many things in all of our lives. But most importantly about hanging on to your life with all your might during the toughest time.
Be a hero to yourself, I told her. Be strong! Someone will need you in a very big way at some point…you need to be here for them. Realize how incredible life will become, I added.
All of us, during difficult times, need something to hold onto, whether it be volunteering, helping others, religion, friends, family. Whatever it is…find out what you truly care about and fully immerse yourself in your passion. Show this world as much love as you can. Get involved in helping others. If you are using drugs, stop! If you are considering using drugs, don’t!
You are needed and you are loved!!
As we finished up our conversation, something that made me realize the importance of this mission, was when she said, “I needed to see this sign too.” She walked away with a renewed sense of hope to her life.