A few days ago in Naples, I met Mary, a mother who lost her daughter Stephanie to suicide in 2003. She is an incredibly strong woman. We met at her place of business and talked about all the good she is doing to help others who have lost a loved one. She has helped my travels by making a contact with the Parents Of Suicide organization. This worldwide support group is working wonders in the lives of the survivors. Mary has created a website, www.stephaniereeve.com in her daughter’s honor. What a beautiful tribute to Stephanie.
Today I met Stephanie’s sister Ashley. I was honored to have her create a beautiful mural on the rear of The Kindness Bus in memory of her sister. What pure perfection, capturing the two words, kindness and love, in her painting. It is now a permanent fixture for the world to see.

Joyce who is the Dream Team Coordinator at the Tree of Life Church, works to help people in need in her community. I met her group of volunteers who were creating custom blankets for seniors at a local nursing home. They find a needy group and work to fulfill the need of the particular group on a weekly basis. It is a nice way to be involved on a personal level with individuals who need a helping hand. Next week this same group is making cookies for safety forces. I was invited to help but I’d probably eat more than I make.
Keith, another individual from the Tree of Life Church, is involved in many great ways, by offering help to anyone in need. The world is a better place because of hi caring spirit.
While out riding, Ken, a Naples resident, flagged me down to talk about many of his concerns in life. He was so thankful for having seen The Kindness Bus. He said it was a huge help to talk about all I am trying to accomplish. He said he was leaving, newly inspired.

It has been nearly 4 years since I bought The Kindness Bus. It was a retired school bus that I found near Ann Arbor, Michigan. It has been through some incredible times and has certainly had a few hundred incredible quotes added to its body. I came across this photo on Facebook and forgot how very few messages were written when I first set out from Cleveland, Ohio. It was truly the beginning of something great.
I concentrated my efforts on the northern half of Naples today. I rode primarily for views and miles. The news story on WINK TV played a big part in the interest as I rode along traffic for the better part of the day.
Kiara, from a 5th generation Naples family, talked with me as I took one of my breaks at The Kindness Bus. She loved seeing such a sight in her hometown.

I now have about 100 “favorite” cities in the United States and Naples, Florida is one of them. The gulf side of Florida has an entirely different feel than the Atlantic coast. It seems to be a slower paced lifestyle.

My rides throughout this town took me though all the streets of the historic district of Old Naples and out to the waterfront. Great conversations ensued as I visited a couple of schools in the area.
A big thanks to Tiffany for the Christmas Care package for Bogart. The stocking of gifts looked great hanging off the side of The Kindness Bus. It put me right in the spirit of the season. Who knows, maybe I’ll get a Christmas tree for The Kindness Bus.

WINK, a TV station stopped out to film a piece on my travels. Rachel Spangenthal, the reporter, liked the mission so much, she must have played a part in it playing in all 3 newscasts. One of the links is below.
http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2012-12-04/Ohio-man-hopes-to-stop-bullying-by-bike-riding

There are few things better in this world than to have a pet. Having an animal to care for in your life can bring you untold benefits. The responsibility of looking after an animal can improve your outlook on life. Knowing you have to be there to feed and care for your pet, teaches you how much you are depended upon and helps you to realize how much you are needed. It helps to overcome loneliness when there is a pet in your life. It teaches you caring responsibility.
It is a joy to have a pet around, one who is always excited to see you, the simple act of having “unconditional love,” helps lift the spirits.
Bogart certainly fits that category. He brings joy to many lives. Life on the road would be far less enjoyable if he were not part of the team. Now of I could only teach him to pedal The Kindness Bicycle.

There are people who come into our lives we feel comfortable with from the very first moment. People who become our friends and offer help and advice when asked. These individuals seem like they have been part of our lives all our life. These cherished friends are the ones we go to in our times of trouble. Some people are very easy to be around no matter your mood. These are the people we should surround ourselves with, as often as possible.
If you are at a tough point in your life, it is nice to know as many people of refuge as possible. Some people are always there to offer a hand up no matter what. People who live life simply and care for the needs of others as much as their own.
Two of the kindest people I have met along my travels, who embody all of the above are George and Susan. It is a gift for them to have come into my life. I wish everyone, friends like them.

Comfort is one of the most basic of needs an individual can receive. This comfort can come from another individual, an animal or a place in nature. When we are hurting inside, it is imperative to receive comfort in any way, shape or form, to reach inner peace.
Being in nature or seeing the beauty of a photograph of nature, can soothe the troubled soul. Just getting away from the hustle and bustle of life for a while can help to center oneself and come away with a renewed appreciation for the beauty of life.
Find a beautiful place of refuge you can visit on a regular basis, to connect with nature, to reconnect with yourself.