“Spirit within me”
Picture courtesy of my dear friend Ceeque (Charles)
I invite all to join together with me. A group of friends doing our part to make the lives of others better. With every act of kindness, we do in fact make the world a little bit better. We do this simply because we can, because we care about others, all others people all people, we care about the world.
I once heard what I consider to be a very good definition of insanity: “Doing the same thing, in the same way over and over again and still being upset or disappointed when the results come out unchanged.” This applies to our very lives, if we day after day continue to do the same thing, in the same way, how can we expect there to be any change. Change of any sort must begin from within, within each and everyone of us. As people change, so will the world.
I invite and encourage all to join my very non-exclusive group of friends. All are welcome, no restrictions of any kind. I have read in many places that people become more committed to something if they have signed a document of commitment. So in that regard I have set up this new page title “Spirit within me”. The word “me” should be read as applying to each individual and definitely not me, as in Bill. It represents the spirit contained with each of you. I hope people will sign up and take membership in the group as a serious commitment.
OK, what is the group about. It is just a group of friends joining together to try in any small way to bring about changes within themselves, within the lives of others and ultimately to the world.
Is there a cost to belong to this group? YES, but not a monetary cost. The cost is something much more precious that mere money. The cost is spending some of your precious time. How much time? Five minutes a week. I don’t care how busy anyone’s life is, there is no one that can honestly say they couldn’t squeeze in 5 minutes a week. How is that 5 minutes of precious time to be spent? Actively looking for and performing an extra act of kindness. It is to be preformed for another, to whom doesn’t matter, the size of the act doesn’t matter. What matters is that we all take the time, even just 5 minutes a week to look for a way to perform an act of kindness.
Second, requirement. If any thanks is offered we decline to accept it. Instead state only that the only thanks you require or request is that this person, repay you by passing on another act of kindness be passed on to yet another. Think of the ripples we are creating.
Benefits, unlimited, gained from the peace and love to be contained within our hearts. That warm fuzzy feeling that comes from knowing I did something good, not because I had to but simply because I wanted to.
Please join my group of friends.

January 6, 2008 at 11:13 am
Sign me up!
January 6, 2008 at 11:38 am
*looking for the pen*
*scribbling on the dotted line*
January 6, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Signed,
Bill’s daughter:
~ Billie ~
January 7, 2008 at 2:47 am
Totally in and signed up with this utterly great idea! What a great way to put this idea across, happy to be a member.
January 12, 2008 at 6:46 am
Checking in, sir!
But I’m crediting you with the idea. After reading your post of the George Carlin email I decided it was way past time to meet and greet the neighbour who’d moved in last fall.
So, I did!
WITH a pie–cuz I can make pies without burning down the house. LOL
January 21, 2008 at 6:46 am
Ok I am here on this one too. Thinking of what this weeks 5 minutes will be???????
January 25, 2008 at 12:44 pm
A sweet five minutes for certain! What wonderful ripples these will be for everyone.
January 28, 2008 at 12:17 pm
long awaiting a group like this… this is what I live by everyday.
January 29, 2008 at 1:11 am
Pay it Forward! I live by this principle as much as possible, and yet, I find that there are many souls out there who will ungraciously abuse those of us who do. It amazes me the number of selfish people out there.
Now I must state that I feel you’ve already given your five minutes by hosting this group. What a wonderful way to connect with others and secure a sense of accountability. Well done! I am even more pleased that I stumbled across your blog!
January 29, 2008 at 7:56 am
More participants! YEAH!!
And this week’s five minutes–a ’stop and converse’ thing at the grocery store.
Okay…doesn’t sound like much–but you haffta know how much I detest grocery stores for this very reason! I’m a ‘go in, get it, get OUT’ kinda gal. And this time I stopped to converse with one of the gal’s on the block that’s been having a tough go since her husband went home to G-d.
AND we’re gonna have coffee this week, too!
Actually, I feel really good about this one….cuz it meant giving up selfish little MEMEME time!
January 30, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Time’s a gift to be used on earth
In preparation for eternity
And what we do within it’s span
Determines our soul’s destiny
Sign me up
January 30, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Bill, I’ve been a little MIA blogreading-wise of late, hoping to be back completely asap and to catch up on posts that I have missed. Am very glad that I passed by today and saw this one.
Sign me up please.
January 30, 2008 at 10:42 pm
I am here, please sign me up.
This was a very good suggestion
to do this. Love to be a member in
this.
In Inspiration,
Ulla H
January 31, 2008 at 9:19 am
Please count me in, Bill. And spirits up.
January 31, 2008 at 9:18 pm
(((((((((( Henri ))))))))))))
Aren’t you just a wise one!
Thanks for putting that up for me to read, Henri.
Sometimes things fall out of this ‘too full’ brain!
February 1, 2008 at 1:11 am
Awesome idea, Bill!!!!
Please consider me a WARM FUZZY member!
February 4, 2008 at 9:29 am
This is a wonderful task Bill! You are doing a very good thing…or should I say “we”
Namaste
February 13, 2008 at 7:03 am
This is fabulous. Random acts of kindness! One thing I always try to do is to take my grocery cart to the cart return thing at the grocery store. Sounds corney or simple but here in Phoenix when it is 110 the clerks who have to walk through the parking lots to round them up really appreciate that simple little thing. it’s amazing the thank yous I get for that little thing. Ilove this idea. Good one. Consider me one of the group!
February 15, 2008 at 3:10 am
I’m in what a great idea Bill. You are a wonderful man and I hope to have some of your greatness rub off on me