As part of the World Kindness Movement, it presents simple, positive ideas aimed at promoting a sense of meaning and fulfilment in both the giver and receiver.

They've even done surveys in kindness revealing that ‘participating in regular, small acts of kindness is beneficial to your health, longevity and well being.' Benefits listed in ‘The Healing Power of Doing Good' by Allan Luks and Peggy Payne as mentioned on the site, include better weight control, stronger immune system, reduction in pain, relief from arthritis and asthma and reduced cancer activity.

In looking around the site I discovered a ‘kindness checklist' that shows ways to be kind to the earth, one another and yourself. There's kindness quotations, stories, a list of kind things to do and even a ‘Certificate of Kindness' to award yourself or someone else for a kind deed.

This revolution in kindness doesn't just stop at the individual. You can find a list of how to's if you're interested in starting your own Kindness Group and resources for schools who want to become involved in a program that connects students with their peers in other countries with the view to exchanging stories and suggestions related to kindness.

So let me know if you decide to start your own Kindness Epidemic. I want to be infected!!

Some answers are what you'd expect. ‘To be a professional ballet dancer' smiles Maria Macarena of Paraguay. I want to go to Disney World' replied Patrice Athanaze from Dominica in the Caribbean.

Some wishes give me more of an understanding of different cultures such as 15 year old Te Ariki from Rotorua, New Zealand who wants to be ‘the ultimate pig hunter.' In contrast, a same age boy, Mattias Jehlbo from Stockholm, Sweden wishes to be the one who finds the cure for HIV/Aids.

Many are simple dreams, yet seemingly impossible to fulfil. Six year old Brandon Jefferies from Belize in Central America wants his papa back home, while the dream of teenager Ella Janvier of Haiti is to ‘Fly away.' When asked where to she replied, ‘Anywhere but here.'

I feel joy when I read ‘For everybody to be as happy as me' from six year old Karlotta Bhjaltadottir from Iceland and sadness when 12 year old Indonesian Eki Mustakim wants ‘To get enough money from begging to become a shoeshine boy at the airport.'

13 year old Daniel Soltero works a Rag and Bone Cart with his brother in Uraguay and said, ‘What is the point of dreaming?'

Let's remember the point of dreaming; to inspire us to create a better world. And let's make our dreams big, bold and beautiful enough so we can fulfil the dreams of the children in it.

But of course the conversations that ensue about a particular piece that has touched a chord with the lavatory lingerer is well worth the wait.

This week I'll share one of my favourites. Attributed to Nelson Mandela, it was written by Marianne Williamson in her book ‘Return to Love.'

If you've not read it before, take it slow and feel the words resonate. If you've heard it before, may it serve as a reminder of your greatness.

Perhaps you will cut it out and place it on your toilet wall, to inspire the next visitor.

Our deepest fear
is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are
powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness,
that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve this world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God
that is within us
It is not just in some of us - it's in everyone!
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously
give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear
our presence automatically liberates others!

Fearing rejection, “If I ask they may say no,' we often keep our needs to ourselves. Something I've come to learn is that when we don't ask, it actually robs people of the pleasure of giving.

Take our forthcoming book sale for example. I'm teaming up with Maleny group Friends of Ebenezer to raise funds for orphans in Africa. I volunteered to gather the books together and in so doing I needed to ask people to donate them.

It's proven a great exercise in asking and a reminder that people really love to help. Some actually thanked me for giving them the opportunity to clear some space. Others asked if I'd like ‘more stuff' which I've gladly accepted for a forthcoming Ebenezer Garage Sale.

I now have a garage bursting at the seams with people's generosity…all because I asked. Perhaps there are areas in your life where you've decided not to ask - when you need help at home, with transport, with the children, with a new business.

We often don't ask for help because we believe the task is onerous. I was moaning about doing my tax to a friend when she grabbed her diary and insisted on a date for us to do it together. Turns out she loves doing figures!

I encourage you to ask. If the answer is no, that's great! Ask someone else, or ask in a different way, but keep asking. Oh and if you have some spare books….would you like to donate them to our sale??

The words jumped off the email at me. It was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment. Ten little words that were meant, it would seem, just for me.

We may call it coincidence, luck, attraction or divine intervention. However you look at it, I think it's kind of neat that we get that little message of hope or inspiration right when we need it. The trick is to be open enough that you don't miss it.

We can be so busy that we won't see or simply don't trust the signs of love, support or affirmation that are around us all the time. It could be a magazine story that you find while waiting in the doctor's surgery or a book sitting on the counter at the library. When I felt a little emotionally lost a couple of weeks ago, I looked up and found the shopping centre directory reminding me ‘You are here.'

If we trust enough to know that where we are in this very minute is exactly where we're meant to be, then everything that is in our lives right now is also exactly what is meant to be. The newspaper article that catches our eye, the page where our book falls open, even the graffiti on the toilet wall can all be signposts to lead us along our path.

Long ago I decided that it's not my purpose to question or decide where these signs come from, nor what they mean or what I'm meant to ‘do' about them. I'd rather just accept each gift with thanks and let it take me wherever it's meant to.

As for what's happened since reading that email quote? That story is for another day.

Here's my ten favourites:

1. A smile – it costs nothing and provides an instant face-lift.
2. A hug is wonderful in winter…or anytime really!
3. ‘Thank you' – two simple words that show you care.
4. ‘I'm sorry' – two simple words that can heal a wound.
5. ‘I love you' – three simple words that can open a heart
6. Appreciation - an anonymous note under a door or a windscreen wiper.
7. Listening - just close your mouth, turn on your ears and open your heart.
8. An honest compliment - you can always find something to admire in another.
9. ‘Go for it!!' – Offering encouragement, support and belief in someone.
10. Sharing a meal is more than just about the food - it's sharing your home

I'd love to hear your favourite ways to add some cheer and make a difference in someone's life.

Think about our recent run of rain and recall how many times it's come up in conversation and you'll know what I mean.

It's just rain! It happens! It comes, it goes and it comes again. Sometimes it comes in nourishing bucketfuls, filling tanks and dams. Sometimes it's a tad too generous, bringing severe flooding and even death. But it is what it is…rain!

We can choose to complain “I'm sick of this rain,” or joke sarcastically “I'm starting to grow webbed feet,” or just accept it…“Oh look, it's raining again!”

Sadly, some people let the rain and other people, situations or events effect how they feel. Why not instead choose to feel how you wish, despite those external factors that you have no control over.

One of my favourite books, ‘Loving What Is' by Byron Katie teaches us to love something (or someone) just as it is. “It's not the person or the situation that causes us pain” she says, “Rather, it's our wanting it (or them) to be different that causes us the pain.”

If we can learn to ‘love what is' in our life right now, then every day will be filled with sunshine…or rain!

©Arcadia Love 2008
www.themadproject.com

October 12, 2002 was a black day in Bali. 202 innocent people, mainly young international tourists and Indonesians were killed and over 300 seriously injured by a bomb attack outside popular nightclubs on Jalan Legian Kuta.

Established only days after the Bali bomb blast YKIP was established. Yayasan Kemanusiaan Ibu Pertiwi or the Humanitarian Foundation for Mother Earth, YKIP is dedicated to helping the needy in Bali through health and education programs.

Its founders were business people, doctors, officials and volunteers who set up and helped to organise the Bali Recovery Group which coordinated the work of the NGOs in the first six confusing months after the blast.

All of YKIP's initial projects were related to the direct victims of the blast, however as most of their needs are now provided for, YKIP has turned its focus to health and education issues and to projects that improve the lives of the poor who live on Bali.

After tragedy comes healing, after despair comes hope and after the darkest moment of the night there comes light once again…if only we can open our hearts enough to let it shine on and through us.

For more information on YKIP, visit http://www.ykip.org/

‘The truth will set you free' said one person and Mark Twain wrote ‘If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything.'

But what if I'm not ready to confess ‘the truth' to my eight year old about Santa, the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy…or any fairies for that matter, in order to keep a little magic in her world? Some would argue that fairies are indeed real…just ask the Irish!

I prefer Andre Gide's take, ‘Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it' or George Bernard Shaw who said, ‘New opinions often appear first as jokes and fancies, then as blasphemies and treason, then as questions open to discussion, and finally as established truths.'

So what about my friend who asks me to tell her ‘the truth' about her new hairdo…you know, the one that's cost her half a week's pay? My truth may be ‘it looks awful,' another friend says it's ‘fantastic.'

So if the truth is just my opinion, what I believe to be true, then perhaps I'll choose to follow The Buddha's offering: ‘Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.

I'll follow my heart, my instincts and my sense of ‘rightness' and please, if you ask for my opinion, know that it may not be ‘the truth!'