Sequin Of Kindness™

The Kind Students at UMass Lowell

Barb - mamakindness — Sun, 05 May 2013 15:14:19 +0000

The students at UMass Lowell gladly participated at the Sequin of Kindness booth by sharing acts of kindness during UML’s Stress Relief Day fair. This fair, organized by Tracy Moore, Assistant Director of Health Education & Promotion, is designed to make students aware of the importance of good health (physical, mental and spiritual).

Tracy leads a great team of UML staff, vendors, volunteers and students two times per year to help the students to relax mind and body in an effort to be better prepared for final exams. Justin Lawler, Associate Director of Campus Recreation, prepares UMass Lowell’s large recreation center for this well attended event.

Here are just a few of the kind acts that were posted on the Sequin of Kindness board. Remember, a sequin is small but reflects a lot of light, just like a small act of kindness!

~ I helped a friend move into the dorm.

~ I bought lunch for a homeless man.

~ Sent some books for kids in India anonymously.

~ Helped my friends study for their exam.

~ I helped a lost freshmen find a building on campus.

~ Returned a fallen leash to a dog walker (with four dogs) while walking in the woods.

~ I fixed my friend’s truck the night before he left on a trip to Florida.

~ I donated money for the Boston fund.

~ I paid for a stranger’s lunch because his card got declined.

~ I carried all of the luggage for handicapped person at the airport.

~ Gave a stranger money to get home.

~ Walked an intoxicated friend home.

~ Served at a local soup kitchen.

~ Gave a homeless man $5 bucks to get food.

~ Helped raise money for relay for life.

Mother’s Day Walk for Peace – Boston May 12th

Barb - mamakindness — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:08:37 +0000

This year on Mother’s Day I, along with the church I belong to, am walking in the 17^th Annual Mother’s Day Walk For Peace in Dorchester MA. The Mother’s Day Walk For Peace began in 1996 for families who lost their children to violence.

The funds raised support the programs of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute which provides programs to instill peace in school and community settings, support to survivors of homicide victims and the families of perpetrators, and training of professionals, providers and faith leaders working with youth and families impacted by violence.

Why is the whole church taking part in the walk? After the tragedy in Newtown CT and the helplessness that everyone felt after, we believe that action is better than words and that we can make a difference by raising funds that will go towards trying to prevent another Newtown from ever happening again. As a parent, my heart broke for all the families torn apart by such a senseless act of violence. I can’t even begin to understand how you move on after such a horrific event, but programs the Peace Institute offers does just that. One of the messages our minister has said over and over is that this life and this world matter!

~ Ami H.

Thank you, Ami, for participating in the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace on Sunday, May 12th and encouraging others to join in. Support Ami’s Team or click here to check out all the teams.

Boston Strong

Barb - mamakindness — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:19:12 +0000

It’s been ten days since the tragedy at the Boston Marathon. I think all of us here in the Boston area are just starting to let this unbelievable occurrence sink in. Through the horror of these terrible acts were also heroic acts and incredible acts of kindness–too many to list individually.

I would like to thank all of the law enforcement agencies and citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for it was their collaborative efforts and bravery that saved lives that day and the days to follow. We are fortunate here in Boston to have exceptional medical teams at our area hospitals, phenomenal first responders, not to mention the outstanding medical staff at the race.

My thoughts and prayers have been with the injured and the families that have been sadly impacted by this horrific event. I will continue to keep them in my heart and mind.

~ Blessings, Barb

Healing Arts & Kind Acts

Barb - mamakindness — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:45:38 +0000

I went into the healing arts because I really like to help people, especially with their health. This was ingrained in me because of my Dad’s actions. He owned the local pharmacy in the little town I grew up in and helped many people. If folks were going through hard times and couldn’t afford their medicine he always gave it to them for free and told them that they could pay him someday when they had the money. He never worried if they were unable to pay him. My Dad was such a great role model that I followed in his footsteps and also became a pharmacist. Many years later I became an acupuncturist in order to help people regain their health and heal. If I know someone has been going through hard times I will treat them at no charge. I know they appreciate this kindness. Some people are moved to tears. It makes me feel so good inside to help others. I hope that they in turn will help someone else in need. The world becomes a better place when we use our energy to help each other out.

One recent example of a circle of kindness was the gift to me of a beautiful Chinese painting which was personally painted by a patient that I treat at no charge. The calligraphy on the painting talks about me being a healer of people and horses (I also treat horses in my practice). I think that this person must have worked weeks on this painting. This gift is more precious than any money I could have charged for treating this person. It made my day and repaid my kindness tenfold.

What a great life’s mission you are on. Thank you Barb!

Sincerely,

Janice Perry

The Sequin of Kindness ~ TV Episode 2

Barb - mamakindness — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:20:10 +0000

TV Episode #2, “Kindness at UMass Lowell” is complete! To view the full episode, or short video clips, click on the Video Clips page (of this website) or watch on the Sequin of Kindness YouTube channel.

UMass Lowell was the first university to utilize the resources of the Sequin of Kindness. Educators, Tracy Moore and Imogene Stulken have creatively incorporated kindness activities at some of their events.

Check out the show to see how the University of Massachusetts Lowell reaches out kindly to their students and to the community.

Good Karma, Many Sequins

Barb - mamakindness — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 03:14:45 +0000

Life has been pretty busy lately, I have been taking the time to help a classmate with some homework, lending a hand in the classroom of a different course along with helping some friends move. I’ve also, extended a listening ear and shared some food with friends that have been short on money and going through a difficult time.

In general, I try to be kind and helpful to as many people who cross my path as I can. I’ve been doing all this while concentrating on the concept of karma. I’ve figured out that karma is just energy and that we are all responsible for the energy that we put out into the world. Regardless of what we experience, we get to decide whether it is good or bad and how much to contribute. When the time comes for me to pass on, I hope that the world is just a little bit better off for having known me and that my energy continues to travel around the world, flowing through the people that I’ve touched–that is my goal.

~ James H., College Student

Kindness from The Gentle Barn

Barb - mamakindness — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:26:03 +0000

The Gentle Barn, being kind again! Read more about their great efforts and kindness to animals. Consider supporting The Gentle Barn, make a donation, follow them on Twitter or give then a “like” on Facebook. Thank you, Gentle Barn, for your dedication and hard work!

Excerpt from The Gentle Barn website:

Addison was about to be euthanized at the animal shelter and we saved her at the very last minute. She is only 5 months old and this weekend she found a forever home where she will be cherished and adored for the rest of her life. Yay!

Compassion & Kindness – From One Young Man To Another

Barb - mamakindness — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 19:27:57 +0000

I work with a variety of adults with developmental disabilities and mental illness. One day however one of my clients came up to me to talk about why he was having such a difficult day. After listening to him explain all the many reasons why he was feeling so anxious and upset, I put my hand on his shoulder and told him that he is braver then he realizes. I further explained that having the courage to come to share his story with me took tremendous strength of character.

He still felt a bit anxious after telling me what was going on, so from there I decided that everytime I saw him I would tease him. And by teasing him I mean that I would say, “I don’t see you smiling, think about all that is great in your life!” This reminded him to be thankful that he has a house to live in, good people to live with, and a paying job. This small act of reaching out to my client and reminding him that there is good in life and that it’s not all about what stresses us out has really turned around his past few days.

~ Jeff B., College Student

The Sequin of Kindness TV Show is launched!

Barb - mamakindness — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:41:15 +0000

The Sequin of Kindness started with an idea of bringing a kindness assignment into one of my classes; from there, the idea grew into a blog, a free resource website for teachers and community leaders and now it’s a local cable TV show!

The topic of organ donation was discussed during the first episode. My guest, Maura Snow, donated a kidney to her neighbor and friend.

To view the full episode, or short video clips, click on the Video Clips page or watch on YouTube. To read a brief story about Maura go to the Kindness Hall of Fame page.

Let’s look for opportunities to be kind out there!

Actress Rooney Mara ~ Humanitarian Kindness

Barb - mamakindness — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:47:44 +0000

After traveling to Kenya as a volunteer in 2006, Rooney Mara made a humanitarian decision to help the children she worked with by founding a charity in 2007, Faces of Kibera. She returned several times; while there, Faces of Kibera and the Uweza Aid Foundation collaborated on many projects together. In 2011, the two organizations decided to pool resources and merge to work more efficiently and effectively. Mara serves as President of the Board of Directors.

Uweza is a 501(c)(3) organization registered in the State of Illinois and is a registered NGO in Kenya. Current projects include a soccer academy, journalism and art clubs, traditional dancing group, educational sponsorship, and life skills training. (Excerpts & photos taken from the Uweza website).

Consider sponsoring a child or making a donation to Uweza. Think about what humanitarian effort you can put forth in your own neighborhood, state or abroad. Whatever you choose to do, no matter how small, your kindness will make a difference!

Rooney Mara was nominated for an Academy Award for her leading role as Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Mara is starring in a new movie, Side Effects, playing in theaters now. Although a very popular hollywood actress, Mara quietly, and somewhat shyly, goes about her life.

Please support entertainers that use their voice and wealth for the betterment of society. Let’s remember to be kind to celebrities, they bring fun and happiness to our lives!