Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
- Leo Buscaglia


Thursday, July 26, 2012

A Great Example

     I've written several times this year about my son Ben's mission trip around the world through a program known as The World Race.  Ben took a year off from college to devote his energy to serving people from all walks of life.  During that time he spent a month in each of 11 different countries - Serbia, Romania, India, Nepal, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and the Philippines.  
     Below is an 11-minute video Ben created that gives a glimpse into the lives of people in many parts of the world, their joy despite hardship, and the joy that comes from the selfless serving of others.  (You can click on the picture below to view the video, or you can go to this link as well:  http://youtu.be/5Zcmo7XaWqw).  I'm sharing the video because I think it's inspiring and demonstrates the real power of kindness.  I hope you'll share it with others as another act of kindness.




     For me, the video is also a reminder of the common bond we all share.  When I see the faces of the children, in particular, I realize that people are mostly the same all over the world.  I also realize just how fortunate I am to have been born at this time, in this place, in this family, and in these circumstances.  I did nothing to deserve that.  I'm simply incredibly lucky.  While I need not apologize for that good fortune, I can certainly appreciate it and I can certainly devote some of my energy and resources toward helping those who, through no fault of their own, weren't born as lucky as me.

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