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.

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