Help by raising compassionate kids

Following on from the last post about the Dali Lama, when asked what was the biggest challenge of our time, he replied “That we are raising a generation of passive bystanders”. An incredible book that looks at how to exactly the opposite of this, is “The World Needs Your Kids – How to Raise Children that care and contribute “.  It is a wonderful book that encourages children to become global citizens. Drawing on life lessons and success stories , the authors (brothers) Marc and Craig Kielburger demonstrate how small actions make a difference in the life of a child and ultimately change the world – with some very touching personal stories about the great influence their own parents had over  them , in particular through their kind actions rather than words

How to help now:  Buy the book and read about the wonderful ways you can help encourage empathy , compassion and above all gratitude  in your children, or listen to the interview and see what a child raised in this way can turn out like !

 

Help by learning from His Holiness the Dali Lama

I do wonder how I have come this far on my blog, and not yet mentioned His Holiness the Dali Lama – when so many of his teachings have affected me profoundly and urged me to rethink the way I approach so many things in life. My gorgeous new nanny who has just started looking after my wonderful little one year old, Indie Jasmine,  just reminded me of the importance of taking a break from the ‘rush’ and heeding his kind and oh so wise words. I knew my nanny was having a busy week, juggling a few jobs, so I told her to take a wee kip when Indie does. She told me she was going to do a little meditation and before I knew it we were talking about her chanting with the Dali Lama on his visit o Sydney ! I already feel so gracious and lucky that the universe has sent me this kind soul to help look after my children while I do some work and study, and when I discover she has chanted with His Holiness – well, my heart swells – what more could a mother want than for someone who understands the importance of peace, empathy and kindness being  a part of her family.

It was also such a timely reminder that this blog is as important a part of my daily work as the ‘paying’ job and study. So for today I will leave you with this wonderful, yet sobering quote ….

How to Help Now:  Take the time to help yourself, and in turn others around you,  by reading the Dali Lama’s messages around the purpose of life  and how to acheive happiness http://www.dalailama.com/messages/compassion

 

Help by being part of the Kindness Revolution

“Inspire a kindness Revolution – towards yourself, each other and the natural world.”

I have blogged previously about the amazing Jono Fisher and the kindness revolution he has been inspiring here in through Wake up Sydney( http://howtohelpnow.wordpress.com/category/help-by-being-kind/). Well I missed Jono’s last event because I was in overeas at the time ( and funnily enough was watching Pay it Forward in southern Mexico the night his email came through announcing his second event). We met up when I returned and Jono is as inspirational one on one as he is at his events – so I am terribly excited that his next event will be bigger than ever and held at Town Hall in Sydney …. details below

How you can help ? By spoiling yourself or someone you know to a night of kindness.  Join Jono and his team from Wake up Sydney for an uplifting evening in the magnificent Sydney Town Hall, Thursday 3 June 2010 as they explore our connection with the living earth. Celebrate in style with a special performance from Australia’s finest female vocalist, Katie Noonan and a stunning program of Indigenous dance + elevating film + inspirational guest speakers and meditation – followed by wine and chocolates. Come along, relax in the present moment and experience a renewed sense of kindness and gratitude towards Mother Earth. This unique experience is only for 2000 people and tickets are strictly limited. Proceeds will support our Wake up Sydney’s Kindness Card campaign (25,000 already distributed). Don’t miss out on the event of the year! Click here to find out more and book your tickets.

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Help by trying a little kindness

One of my favourite songs when I was young was Glen Campbell ‘s ‘ Try a little kindness’ . 40 years later Glen would be proud of a guy called Jono Fisher , a self proclaimed ‘reluctant businessman ‘ who quit his career, became a male manny ( yes that is a nanny with an m …) and then went on to found wakeupsydney.com.au. Jono wants to build a revolution in anonymous kindness. To help spark this process he has created beautifully designed “kindness cards” that work on a pay it forward system ( do something nice for someone and they in turn will do something nice for someone else ). In the last couple of months Wake Up Sydney has sent out over 15,000 free cards around Australia. I went along to the premiere event for Wake Up Sydney and was inspired by what Jono has achieved so far.

How to help now? Order your free set of beautifully designed cards and become part of the kindness revolution, find out when the next event is on and go along – you won’t be       disappointed.http://www.wakeupsydney.com.au/Free-Gifts.aspx