Seems I’m always writing about my airport experiences. But it’s like this petri dish of human behavior. Interesting. I had a “nice” thing happen in the security line (well, sort of). Seems my hair product triggered concern with the x-ray guy. It exceeded the ouncage allowed. So I had a choice: chuck my $35 hair gel (and some liquid gifts I got from a conference I was attending) or check my bag and go through security again. I decided to check it, even though the security line was huge. As I started to roll my bag away, the security officer called, “Wait! Take this express pass so you don’t have to wait in line again. It’s for crew and employees, but you were so nice.” Moral of the story? B-ing nice pays off. And don’t put expensive hair gel in your carry-on bag!

Kindness happens. You just have to “b” open to it!

“When that light inside feels like it’s going out,
don’t be afraid to ask a friend for a match.”

~ Carrie Wittenstein

I’m a collector of quotes. In fact, I love finding that perfect quote that captures the sentiment of a day or inspires me to pass it on. But this quote (above) is my own saying. Maybe not as “inspired” as some of the quotes I collect, but it’s mine. I made it up today after getting some upsetting news — one bit was business-related; the other was about a college roommate who found out just days ago, she has acute leukemia.  In both cases, when my inner light dimmed, I reached out to friends and let them know I needed a “light”. Each offered me a “match” — they sparked conversation, listened when I needed to talk, and just let me know they were there for me. I asked and I received. In some cases, I didn’t ask, and I still received.

This is a gift we can give each other every day. We can “b” at the ready with a dry box of virtual matches, prepared to help a friend, a loved one — heck, anyone — whose flame is dangerously close to going out by striking the sandpaper of compassion and rekindling the light within.

Namaste. I honor the light within you.

I had such a nice day in NYC with my friend, Jenna, today. We had lunch, then saw an amazing show - Sondheim on Sondheim. As we were walking back to our car, the wind was crazy-blustery. In fact, it nearly blew over a stroller with a baby inside! My friend and I - along with other passersby - gathered around the mom, who was clearly upset, and her baby. Jenna and I, and a couple of women, held on to the stroller through the gusts of wind, while a guy chased the mother’s sunglasses that were blowing down the sidewalk. The mom was “blown away” by all the help. It was awesome to be a part of it. Since the wind had not let up, Jenna and I offered to walk the mom and her cute red-headed daughter to their apartment a few blocks away. We each kept a hand on the stroller, lifting it over curbs, holding the wind guard down so it wouldn’t set sail. During that walk, we learned that the cutie pie in the stroller’s name was Fiona and her mom learned that we were from Connecticut and had kids of our own. A nice connection. When we arrived at the doorway to their building, we wished each other a Happy Mother’s Day and said our good-byes. Then Jenna and I were on our way, with the wind at our backs and the satisfaction of kindness in the air!

I gave a talk about Inspiration today for a group of Weston Middle School sixth graders. Their team of 100 students is called The Inventors, and each wore a special WIBN b-inspiring T-shirt in their team color. It was awesome to look upon the different hues of orange. But what was most inspiring to me was how attentive and interactive they were. Kids really shared from the heart about what inspires them… things they’ve done to share kindness and make a difference. There were smiles and tears, hugs and high-fives. I originally thought the graphic lightbulb on their shirts was a great way to share their “inventiveness”, but I left thinking that it represents the light that shines within each of them. Location: Weston Middle School

Pay It Forward Day is every day in my book, but on April 29, you can “b” one of thousands who consciously and collectively do something to pay it forward. Imagine the global good vibes this could generate!

If you’re on Facebook, check out The Karma Experiment. Here’s what’s happening:

April 29, 2010 is the Official “Pay It Forward Day” and Karma Experiment is teaming up with the Pay It Forward Org to invite all of you to put into your calender this day where we as a group make a conscious organized effort apart from our our normal daily routines.

This event is a decision by you on April 29, 2010 to dedicate in doing actions of Paying it Forward throughout the entire day.

—————————————————
To take part in this event all you have to do is:
—————————————————

(1) RSVP to this event. (click attending)

(2) Click on “Invite People to Come” from the menu on the right.

(3) Select all your friends that you want to invite

So people know what to do please,
add this as a personal message:

Thurs. April 29th 2010 is the Official “Pay it Forward Day” Anywhere U are on the Planet~ Be the Change in the World~ start in your own Community… 1 Kind Act 4 the Planet, an Animal or Human Counts! Love+ Altruism + Action= Change. Please Share This~Ty

(4) Click on “Send invitation”

(5) Do acts of Paying it Forward on April 29, 2010.

(6) Share your ideas and plans on what you are going to do on your “Pay It Forward Day”.

Our Goal is to get a minimum of 10,000 registrations for Pay It Forward Day Event on April 29, 2010! Where we make a conscious effort to make a difference in someone else’s life.

Discover how Paying it Forward results in significant benefits, both physical and mental, for those who perform them and be inspired with Altruistic Stories from around the country and the world submitted by members like you on this day.

Find out what people are doing in your area by visiting this event and sharing with others your plans for April 29, 2010.

We together as a group CAN BE that change and makes an impact in everyone’s lives on April 29, 2010.

Please RSVP to the event and lets make a difference on April 29, 2010!!

Pay It Forward Day & Beyond~

I had a physical exam today. While that doesn’t sound like a momentous occasion, it turned out to be quite interesting. It’s not that I got some revealing medical insights or surprising news. It was just a check-up - and thankfully, everything is just fine. What was interesting is that I went there thinking that after this visit, I might actually switch to a doctor who is a little more conveniently located, but I changed my mind. The reason? I can only describe it as an appreciation for the experience. It was, well, very human.

This is a very small practice… so I appreciate not feeling like I’m being pushed through a busy pipeline. But it wasn’t even that. Throughout the examination, this doctor revealed bits of his own life experience as a way of validating my own. It’s not like I know him personally; I have been a patient for about 5 years and, thanks to good health, the last time I was there was 2008. Still, I felt “known” — he made what could have been a very clinical experience, something more personal, more compassionate.

Here are some of the little things that made a big difference to me. I mentioned that since our last visit, I had been both concerned and affected by someone who struggled with depression, which was exasperated by a job loss and an extended period of unemployment. The doctor listened, then told me a story about his own experience with depression after graduating from medical school with all this knowledge and enthusiasm, only to find the opportunities for young doctors were slim and highly competitive. He validated how my friend felt and how I was affected by the situation, then offered some helpful advice.

When we were reviewing my family history and read the part about my dad passing away when he was only fifty-two, he paused to say he understood how difficult that must have been for me and my family. Later, when he asked if there was anything that was causing me problems, I admitted that I don’t sleep well — or enough! I often wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back asleep — usually because I’m making mental notes of all the things I need to do the next day. Again, he approached this topic with genuine interest, compassion and then some drug-free tips that should help (Like not spending time a lot of time on the computer at night… Ah-hem… I guess I’ll start tomorrow!).

You see, there’s nothing earth-shattering here… so what was it? I guess what I experienced was a professional who wasn’t just thorough and experienced, he wasn’t afraid of showing his humanness. He was fully present and I felt it. As he peeled back the onion and revealed something about himself, he made a connection on a human level. And that’s why my files will stay just where they are.

I think there’s a good prescription in this experience for all of us. For me anyway, I am going to work on staying focused and present, so whoever I’m with knows I hear them, that I value what they have to say and just being with them at that very moment. And like my good doctor, I’m not going to worry about exposing vulnerabilities — because, after all, showing yourself for who you really are can be the best medicine for both the giver and the receiver. b well everyone!

“The fire’s crackling and there’s
a seat on the couch here.

Cuddle up and let’s all get into it.
Let’s all get onto it.

And let’s all get a little bit
AWESOME!”

~ Neil Pasricha from The Book of Awesome

I love surprises! So when I got an email from Neil Pasricha asking if he could send me an advanced copy of his new book, The Book of Awesome, I had one thing to say: “Awesome!” It’s filled with reminders of the simple pleasures that make life NICE.

OK, who doesn’t love “the other side of the pillow” - you know, the cool side that you turn to when you’ve been lying there, playing dead. Suddenly, you can just sink into it and relax. Better than melatonin! Or the excitement when a new checkout lane opens up and the cashier invites you to be first… popping bubble wrap… or the triumph of peeling an orange all in one shot.

This book is filled with little doses of awesome that make us think about how to find something to be happy about… something to appreciate every day. The day I received this surprise gift was my little bit of awesome. Awesome that Neil found Wouldn’t It B Nice?… nice that he saw a connection in what we’re doing… nice that I have another companion in kindness… So, the only awesome thing I could think to do is pass it on to you.

Neil’s book will be available on April 15. Awesome for you. Awesome to pass on. In the meantime, enjoy a preview at Neil’s blog.

One of our favorite photos sent by the Sisters of St. Joseph (Illinois), beaming in their WIBN “b a random act of kindness” T-shirts.

Did you know that there’s a Random Acts of Kindness Week? I actually didn’t know until recently while surfing the Internet. While I must admit, I love the idea that there’s a week dedicated to spreading kindness, I don’t think it should be reserved for one day or one week of the year. Shouldn’t practicing kindness happen every day?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not rebelling against Random Acts of Kindness Week. On the contrary, I’m rallying for it… but all 52 weeks of the year. Wouldn’t it b nice if every day, in some small way, we each consciously did something nice for someone else? A friend or family member… a stranger… one of the many customer service people we encounter every day. Even if you don’t venture out of your house, you can do something to make the world a more positive place. How about starting with yourself? That’s what I did, because you know what? Self-care counts!

So, I restarted my practice of morning meditation and yoga. Five to ten minutes of sitting in stillness, quieting my mind, pushing out the to-do lists and instead, focusing on my breath and a mantra - “Inhale, I am grateful; exhale I feel joy.” - or some variation of that. Then I did a few “sun salutations” - two in each direction (north, south, east and west). My body felt so good starting the day. I like visualizing the peaceful energy of my yoga practice radiating out and contributing positive vibes where they’re needed.

If you’re an animal lover, daily acts of kindness come easy. I love spending one-on-one time with my dog, Starbucks - playing in the snow, stroking his chocolatey head, looking into his golden eyes and telling him how much he is loved. Try it! This simple, but conscious, loving gesture will make you both feel so good.

Or, how about writing a note of appreciation to someone who isn’t expecting it. Last week, I wrote Andy (Ben and Jack’s dad), letting him know what an awesome father he is and how grateful I am that he took a week off to give our sons a wonderful, sunny vacation. Not that any one of these acts will earn me a Nobel Peace Prize ;-), but I share it because however small, it all matters.

So what do you say? Let’s make every day Random Acts of Kindness Day! Start small, aspire to bigger things. Keep it anonymous or let someone know so that they are inspired to do the same. It’s really what our mantra “Think nice thoughts, do nice things, “b” what makes life nice. Pass it on.” - is all about. Thinking about possibilities, then doing something to make a difference in a positive way.

Need ideas? Just search “acts of kindness” on the Web. I do this almost every day and find stories about paying it forward; remarkable people doing remarkable things; companies that care about making their employees feel appreciated and about their impact on the environment. Surround yourself with this kind of good news and you will see the power of positivity in action. And trust me, you will be inspired to join in.

One of the great joys I’ve had since starting Wouldn’t It B Nice? is developing friendships and an incredible support system among other women entrepreneurs. In early 2007, with only a few sketches and a germ of an idea, I joined a MasterMind group facilitated by the incredible co-active coach and nationally recognized artist, Jane Pollak. It was in this group that WIBN really came into b-ing.

Every three weeks, the MasterMind gals - a group of 5 or 6 creative entrepreneurs - would share advice, successes and challenges, set goals and hold each other accountable for them. Jane would challenge us, coach us, keep track of time and keep us on course. Honestly, if it weren’t for my group, WIBN may have sat on my back burner for years — ending up being one of those ideas I would wonder about and regret not exploring later in life.

Today, I still meet with many of the original MasterMind women (and some new ones, too). Malene Barnett is among them. Malene (pictured with me in the photo above) is the designer/creator of the Malene B brand of custom designed carpets and has become a great friend and supporter. She so willingly shares her experience with me and the other women in our circle. Recently, I exhibited for the first time at the New York International Gift Fair — something I had not planned on, but jumped on when an opportunity to share a small corner of booth space presented itself. It was a huge step for me and WIBN and it was thrilling to share it with friends like Malene, who visited me at the booth. I got a bit emotional thinking that Malene remembers when WIBN was nothing more than sketches in a notebook!

During the show, other friends came by to cheer me on. I also invited my 8th grade mentoring student, Meaghan, and her mom to come to the Javits Center to experience the show and what it’s like for a young business to debut there. I tell Meaghan, “You might have gotten assigned a more mature business and that would have been a completely different mentoring experience. But someday, you’ll be able to say, ‘I remember WIBN when Carrie was getting ready for her first big show.’ And that will be an experience I hope will motivate you to follow your dreams, too.”

Thank you all for your continued support and for making our first show a success in so many ways! If you’d like to track back and see my posts and photos of the show, please become a fan of Wouldn’t It B Nice? on Facebook.

Not every act of kindness has to be heroic. The little things we do every day matter, too. Sometimes, it’s the things we don’t do — like this evening when my son knocked over our tabletop zen garden (you know, sand in a pan with rocks and a little rake to make designs), I didn’t freak out. I just got out the vacuum. I guess the absence of upset over a million grains of sand all over my living room… the lack of attachment to things would make this a zen-like act. Or as my son would say, b-ing cool was cool.