One Million Acts of Kindness

This past Sunday, while most people were freezing their butts off, I was running in the ING Miami Marathon.  It began in the dark in downtown Miami next to the American Airlines Arena.

Given my lack of training, and various recurring problems, I knew I’d be slow.  I’m OK with that (or, more accurately, I’ve accepted that).  In addition, temperatures were predicted to go into the high 70’s.  I can’t complain – to me heat is better than extreme cold, even if that means I’d be walking a lot of the 26 miles.  I rationalized (as I am so good at doing), that, even if I walked for hours, walking in Miami amongst the sun and palm trees was still a pretty good deal.

Since I wasn’t going to win any awards, I decided to smile, take photos and take in the sights.

About an hour or two into the Marathon, I ran down the streets of South Beach, taking in the people, the ocean and the wonderful Art Deco style buildings.  Suddenly, I noticed this bus, and I just had to stop and look.

One Million Acts of Kindness Bus, seen during the Miami Marathon (photo: www.WillRunForMiles)

One Million Acts of Kindness Bus, seen during the Miami Marathon (photo: www.WillRunForMiles)

I didn’t have time to read all of the messages, but I was touched by what I saw:   
“Overcome Bullying Through Love,” 
“Senior Citizens deserve total respect from everyone!!!,” 
“You are the changes this world needs,” 
“Because of Virginia Tech, end all forms of hatred!!,” 
“Respect for women is one of the greatest gifts a father can give a son.” 

A man standing on the sidewalk, who I hadn’t noticed before, spoke to me and urged me to take a pamphlet about the bus and his mission.  I snapped out of my haze and remembered I was running a marathon.  Instead of taking the pamphlet, I handed him one a business card for my blog (I never leave home without them), and told him to write me.  I told him to send me his message in an email, and I said that, if he did, I’d publish his message in my blog.

I later learned that his name is Bob Votruba, he travels with his dog Bogart, and has a website named One Million Acts of Kindness.  

The opening paragraph of the website explains:

***Ring Our Country with Kindness***

Beginning in New York City in mid-October 2012, I will ride The Kindness Bicycle
and Kindness Bus around the perimeter of the United States. This 9,000 mile ride
will take one year, ending in New York City in October 2013. I will visit schools
along my travels, addressing school bullying, cyber bullying and adolescent suicide.
On a personal note, this ride is also to honor the 3 students killed at Chardon High
School in Ohio on February 27th 2012, which is only 10 miles from my home. I will ride
in their honor along with 3 young adults I knew from my hometown, who took their lives.
My mission on this ride has but one focus: To save kids lives.

Not even 24 hours after the marathon, I received an email from Bob.  He wrote: 

Raising Awareness of Bullying and Adolescent Suicide

This Ring Our Country with Kindness (R.O.C.K.) ride is to help those who are hurting, with the realization that life will get better, much better. It is also to honor the 3 students killed at Chardon High School in Ohio on February 27th 2012, which is only 10 miles from my home. I will ride in their honor and also for 3 young adults I knew from my hometown, who took their own lives.

Starting on October 20th 2012 I am riding The Kindness Bicycle and The Kindness Bus around the perimeter of the United States, beginning and ending in New York City.

On the average, 4,200 young adults, 14-25 years old have lost their lives to suicide, every year, in the United States. For every 1 who does, 10 more try.

Just as shocking or even more so, 250 children from 5-13 years of age in the United States have lost their lives to suicide each year.

IT IS TIME TO HELP MAKE THIS STOP!!!

If you are hurting, know that that you are loved. Hang on to life with all your might, a much better life will come to you. Be a hero to yourself !! Also know that you are SO important to someone.That someone is quite possibly someone you have yet to meet.

Bullying has reached an all too deadly epidemic in our country. There is something very wrong. At a very early age, children are having to deal with very grown-up issues. They are hearing and seeing things at much too young of an age with much less parental involvement and far too few role models. It is the perfect storm in a very bad way.

Make a commitment to help those being bullied by pledging to honor the four following statements:

I will comfort those hurting.

I will help those being hurt.

I will help you realize your importance in the world.

You are needed and you are loved!!

If you are a bully, help others, don’t hurt them. Realize the harm you are causing.

If you are, or know someone, who is considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at:

1-800-273-8255

My mission on this ride has but one focus: To save kids’ lives.                            Twitter@KindnessRocks

With sincere gratitude,          ​​​​​​            thekindnessbustour@gmail.com

Bob Votruba​​​​​​​​            www.OneMillionActsOfKindness.org

Running the Miami Marathon was special for so many reasons.  One highlight was meeting Bob, seeing the signs on his bus and hearing his message.  His mission to help end bullying and teen suicide is a labor of love.  He’s traveling the country and visiting schools.  He’ll be ending the 9,000 mile trek in New York City.  Hey, that’s where I live!  Hey, I know some teachers in schools in New York City.  Hey, maybe I can help in some small way?  Maybe you can help too, by spreading the word?  Thank you, and thank you, Bob.  

Here are some other random photos from the Miami Marathon:

ING Miami Marathon (photo: www.WillRunForMiles)

More Miami Marathon (photo: www.WillRunForMiles)

Temple Emanu-el – a historic synagoge in Miami Beach (photo: www.WillRunForMiles)

Wow, the Jackie Gleason Theater is now a Fillmore? (photo: www.WillRunForMiles)

saw lots of HUGE cruise boats as we ran over the causeways (photo: www.WillRunForMiles)

Even better: Thank you ING for not bringing us many uphills! (photo: www.WillRunForMiles)

Enjoying a well-deserved adult beverage with my favorite running buddy, Kevin (www.WillRunForMiles.com)

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