“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop

A random act of kindness is a beautiful thing. One small act, whether it’s holding the door open for the person behind you, giving up your seat on a crowded subway for the frail old woman that just boarded, or simply smiling at a stranger as you pass on the street, can be the catalyst that completely transforms a persons day. This week is Random Acts of Kindness Week. I challenge you to commit one random act of kindness each day this week. Need some ideas? See my list of Top 10 Random Acts of Kindness:

1. Give the dollar bills in your wallet to the homeless man or woman who needs it more than you do.
2. Smile at a stranger as you pass them on the street.
3. Hold the door open for the person walking in behind you.  Better yet, stand outside and let them walk through first!
4. Tell someone important to you how much you appreciate them.
5. Buy coffee for the person standing behind you in line at the coffee shop.
6. Give up your seat on the subway.
7. Whip up a delicious treat and bring it to the office for everyone to enjoy!
8. Is someone in your life super-stressed? Do something that you know will ease the pressure a bit.
9. Make a donation to your favorite charity. Remember, donating your time is just as valuable as donating your money.
10. Have a roommate? Surprise them by doing their dishes or by cleaning their bathroom!

Tell me about the random act(s) of kindness you’ve committed this week in the comment section below!

2012 is a year I will never forget. I experienced incredible highs and devastating lows, I set goals and I achieved them and I took giant leaps of faith. Most importantly I grew as a person more this year than ever before and I’m so excited for a new year of health, wealth and wisdom!

The last thing I saw before the ball dropped in Times Square was Google’s recap of 2012. I know there have been tons of these things floating around cyberspace over the past week or so but this one is special. I won’t tell you why, you’ll have to watch and see for yourself.

Happiest new year to you all!

There is no better way to be kind to the mind, body and soul than to practice yoga. Each session I am given the opportunity to reconnect with my inner self and work up a sweat, cleansing my whole being from the toxins of life. The hour and 15 minutes I spend on the mat quiets my “monkey mind” and takes me to the resting place I crave throughout my rushed and busy day. I am able to focus solely on the breathe that is cleansing my body as I move in and out of each pose. After each session, my soul is refreshed and ready to take on the next day.

Knowing that I am evolving each time I step onto my mat is what keeps me coming back for more. I am addicted to culture of kindness and encouragement that is cultivated by my favorite instructors. Their delicate adjustments, encouraging words and selfless guidance is a welcome change to the “what’s in it for me?” mentality that plagues our society.

This month was declared National Yoga Month by the Department of Health and Human Services designed to educate about the health benefits of yoga and inspire a healthy lifestyle. Thanks to the Yoga Health Foundation, you can celebrate National Yoga Month with one free week of yoga at one of over 2,000 participating locations nationwide. Click the link below to find a studio near you!

http://www.yogahealthfoundation.org/yoga_month/

Namaste

People always ask me why I am a Red Sox fan. I wasn’t born in Boston, I didn’t go to school there, and I‘ve never been to Massachusetts. So why am I a Red Sox fan? I love the players, I love the organization and I love the passion of a Red Sox fan. This year Fenway Park is celebrating its 100th Anniversary. To commemorate, the Boston Red Sox and the Red Sox Foundation are executing “100 Acts of Kindness”, a series of charitable initiatives that benefit organizations throughout Boston.

These “100 Acts of Kindness” will take on a number of different forms, including donations, volunteer efforts, and community events for groups like Save a Dog (an abandoned dog rescue), Birthday Wishes (an organization that provides birthday parties for homeless children), Room to Grow (whose mission is to enrich the lives of children born into poverty) and many more!

July has been declared “Acts of Kindness” month. Red Sox ownership, players, alumni and staff will spend the month of July using acts of kindness to make less fortunate peoples’ lives better. By the end of the month, they will have helped 57 of New England’s most deserving not-for-profit organizations! I’ve never been more proud to be a Red Sox fan!

When I was in Junior High, I took a class on life stuff; boyfriends, morals, body image, etc. It was my favorite class taught by my favorite teacher. One day I walked into the classroom and saw the words “Best Friend” written out on the whiteboard. As all of the girls trickled in, my instructor handed us each a sheet of paper and asked us to describe our ideal “best friend”. After everyone was done, she asked us all to read them out loud. The most popular words were “considerate”, “sincere”, “supportive”, and “trustworthy” – all things a 12-year-old girl can imagine a best friend should be. Since that day I’ve made friends and lost friends. If I did this exercise today, the words that I wrote then would be the same words I’d write now. In fact, as I grow up I learn more and more about what those words really mean and how much weight they carry. Friday, June 8th was National Best Friends day. If you didn’t tell your best friend how much they mean to you, do it today!

The 2012 Walk for Kids was a HUGE success! The Orange County Ronald McDonald House raised over $275,000! Thank you so much to all of my generous family and friends who donated. Your contributions will help families with seriously ill children survive one of the most difficult times of their lives.

“Never be bullied into silence” – Harvey S. Firestone

Just a few months ago I watched a boy that had been bullied share his story on national television. “A 13-year-old Nadin Khoury getting beat up, dragged through the street, put in a tree and then hung from a fence post by 7 schoolmates and the fact that some onlookers didn’t help proves that bullying is a problem that many are too afraid to deal with” said Barbara Walters as she introduced the brave young man and his family. I was glued to the television as he recounted the details of his terrifying experience and by the end I was in tears. Don’t let me be the one to convince you, watch the segment below.

What do we do when sticks and stones actually do break bones? In an effort to keep his communities safe and free from bullying, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is designating the fourth Wednesday of January “No Name Calling Day”. Youth across the state will show their commitment to “Black Out Bullying”  by wearing black and signing a pledge to make a stand against bullying.

Without the courage of people like Gov. Patrick and Nadin Khoury, the number of children victimized by bullying will continue to grow. To stop bullying in your community, go to StopBullying.gov.

A new year means new beginnings. 2012 marks the launch of the Young Friends of the House, a group of young professionals looking to raise awareness for the Orange County Ronald McDonald House through quarterly mixers, a variety of volunteer opportunities and one large fundraiser annually.

The Orange County Ronald McDonald House provides a comforting “home away from home” for families with seriously ill children receiving treatment in Orange County hospitals. To learn more about their mission please visit their website here.

Our first mixer is Thursday, January 19th at 8:15pm at Bacchus Secret Cellar in Irvine. There will be food and drinks, plus you’ll get to meet some really great people!

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Young Friends of the House, please email Deborah Levy, Executive Director of the Orange County Ronald McDonald House at deb@ronaldhouseoc.org.

Carrie Underwood is one inspirational woman. Her one-of-a-kind voice and powerful lyrics have evoked emotions in me I never thought I’d feel from a song. I admire her kind heart and philanthropic spirit. Most of all, I admire her desire to effect change and the action she is taking to do so. “Change” by Carrie Underwood is my gift to you this holiday season. May it inspire you to change the world!