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Michael J.Chase
The Kindness Guy
Valley-Wide Kindness Weekend Planned
The Mount Washington Valley could be known as the Kindness Capital of New England! That’s great news, because according to The Kindness Center, kindness is the secret to happiness. Over Memorial Day weekend, locals and visitors alike will be soaking up the kindness message as well as inflicting random acts of kindness on our community.
The weekend, most of which is free and open to the public, will begin Friday evening with a free keynote lecture at the Theater in the Wood, by author and international speaker Michael J. Chase, founder of The Kindness Center. Saturday morning, everyone is invited to gather in N. Conway Village for a little inspiration and to collect the tools of the kindness trade before fanning out to the community to commit all sorts of kindness on unsuspecting victims. So don’t be surprised if a stranger hands you a smiley face balloon, pumps your gas or pays for your coffee while you’re standing in line. Typically, at past events of this nature, people have come back with amazing stories as the result of the simplest acts. We’ll gather together again at noon under the tent in the park to hear some of the morning’s stories as a group. From 1-3pm, the labrynth will be open again, and we'll enjoy free massages, free blood pressure screenings by the visiting nurses, free crafts for the kids with The Artery, hugs from the White Mountain Community Health Center Teen Clinic, and more kind fun in the park, and of course you can get a signed copy of Michael's new book Am I Being Kind (available in advance at White Birch Books). See the Schedule of activities for more events and details.
After hearing Michael’s speech, or reading the book, many people want to find an easy place and method to reflect and to initiate a change in their life. A special event Friday evening (following the lecture), in Schouler Park is being created for just that reason. The park will feature a very special candle-lit labyrinth (sponsored by Soyfire Candle) and circle of forgiveness where the public is invited to reflect on aspects of their lives that may be causing pain, anxiety, or suffering of any kind.
Planning is still underway to encourage local businesses and attractions to create special offers, packages and additional events surrounding the theme. Also, sponsors are still needed. Please email Michael Kline at The Framed Art Superstore or call (603 356-8278) for information.
The entire weekend is being produced as a service to the community by the North Conway Village Association, (a committee of the MWV Chamber of Commerce), and funded by presenting sponsor The Evergreen Institute for Wellness along with local businesses sponsors such as The Mount Washington Radio Group, The Met, Soyfire Candle, and others as their gift of kindness to the entire valley.
Background: The idea for a kindness event was founded after a discussion about the fact that there is too much focus on negativity in our news and politics. We felt that if we as a community could focus on positive alternatives, then we can make things better.
We have bumper stickers promoting random acts of kindness and we tell our children to be kind to one another. Unfortunately, kindness doesn’t get much media attention, and is easy to set aside in difficult situations. The opposites – rude, mean or even evil behavior are in the news constantly. Unfortunately, it’s an increasingly popular subject due in no small part to teen suicides and bullying making national news. It’s been further highlighted more recently by national media focus on the Tucson Tragedies and less than respectful debate in our political system.
Our schools have programs and policies against bullying. Our news commentators have much to say about the need to change our political discourse. While everyone is talking about what they are against, few are focusing on what they are for. When asked to join an anti-war protest, Mother Teresa is reported to have said “No, but if you have a peace rally, please invite me.” Mother Teresa was pointing out the need to focus on what we are for, not give more energy to what we are against. So instead of being against bullying, it is more effective to be for kindness. Author Michael Chase promotes the idea that Kindness is the answer to a happier life.
The Mount Washington Valley could be known as the Kindness Capital of New England! That’s great news, because according to The Kindness Center, kindness is the secret to happiness. Over Memorial Day weekend, locals and visitors alike will be soaking up the kindness message as well as inflicting random acts of kindness on our community.
The weekend, most of which is free and open to the public, will begin Friday evening with a free keynote lecture at the Theater in the Wood, by author and international speaker Michael J. Chase, founder of The Kindness Center. Saturday morning, everyone is invited to gather in N. Conway Village for a little inspiration and to collect the tools of the kindness trade before fanning out to the community to commit all sorts of kindness on unsuspecting victims. So don’t be surprised if a stranger hands you a smiley face balloon, pumps your gas or pays for your coffee while you’re standing in line. Typically, at past events of this nature, people have come back with amazing stories as the result of the simplest acts. We’ll gather together again at noon under the tent in the park to hear some of the morning’s stories as a group. From 1-3pm, the labrynth will be open again, and we'll enjoy free massages, free blood pressure screenings by the visiting nurses, free crafts for the kids with The Artery, hugs from the White Mountain Community Health Center Teen Clinic, and more kind fun in the park, and of course you can get a signed copy of Michael's new book Am I Being Kind (available in advance at White Birch Books). See the Schedule of activities for more events and details.
After hearing Michael’s speech, or reading the book, many people want to find an easy place and method to reflect and to initiate a change in their life. A special event Friday evening (following the lecture), in Schouler Park is being created for just that reason. The park will feature a very special candle-lit labyrinth (sponsored by Soyfire Candle) and circle of forgiveness where the public is invited to reflect on aspects of their lives that may be causing pain, anxiety, or suffering of any kind.
Planning is still underway to encourage local businesses and attractions to create special offers, packages and additional events surrounding the theme. Also, sponsors are still needed. Please email Michael Kline at The Framed Art Superstore or call (603 356-8278) for information.
The entire weekend is being produced as a service to the community by the North Conway Village Association, (a committee of the MWV Chamber of Commerce), and funded by presenting sponsor The Evergreen Institute for Wellness along with local businesses sponsors such as The Mount Washington Radio Group, The Met, Soyfire Candle, and others as their gift of kindness to the entire valley.
Background: The idea for a kindness event was founded after a discussion about the fact that there is too much focus on negativity in our news and politics. We felt that if we as a community could focus on positive alternatives, then we can make things better.
We have bumper stickers promoting random acts of kindness and we tell our children to be kind to one another. Unfortunately, kindness doesn’t get much media attention, and is easy to set aside in difficult situations. The opposites – rude, mean or even evil behavior are in the news constantly. Unfortunately, it’s an increasingly popular subject due in no small part to teen suicides and bullying making national news. It’s been further highlighted more recently by national media focus on the Tucson Tragedies and less than respectful debate in our political system.
Our schools have programs and policies against bullying. Our news commentators have much to say about the need to change our political discourse. While everyone is talking about what they are against, few are focusing on what they are for. When asked to join an anti-war protest, Mother Teresa is reported to have said “No, but if you have a peace rally, please invite me.” Mother Teresa was pointing out the need to focus on what we are for, not give more energy to what we are against. So instead of being against bullying, it is more effective to be for kindness. Author Michael Chase promotes the idea that Kindness is the answer to a happier life.
Thanks to the support of The Evergreen Institute for Wellness, along with Soyfire Candle, The Met Coffeehouse, The Mount Washington Auto Road and The Red Parka Restaurant, Michael Chase (The Kindness Guy) spoke in recent months at three separate presentations to all our local students, grades 8-12.
The youth of our community loved Michael and his message. The administration, teachers, counselors and bus drivers all shared rave reviews. Dozens of students posted heart felt comments on The Kindness Center’s facebook page, and numerous students claim the message was life-changing for them. It is amazing how one program opened so many eyes and had such an impact in the lives of so many people.
Michael J. Chase will be sharing a stage with self-empowerment legends Louise Hay, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Cheryl Richardson, Dr. Christiane Northrup and many more at the Hay House I Can Do It Conference in Toronto, Canada in mid-May. We feel lucky to have this rapidly rising star available to us locally for such an intimate program. At this time, we are looking for organizations, businesses and individuals to get involved in the creation, funding and promotion of the events. Please join us to become empowered with kindness.
For more information, email mike@framedartoutlet.com or call 603 356-8278.
Get Tickets for the Lecture
The youth of our community loved Michael and his message. The administration, teachers, counselors and bus drivers all shared rave reviews. Dozens of students posted heart felt comments on The Kindness Center’s facebook page, and numerous students claim the message was life-changing for them. It is amazing how one program opened so many eyes and had such an impact in the lives of so many people.
Michael J. Chase will be sharing a stage with self-empowerment legends Louise Hay, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Cheryl Richardson, Dr. Christiane Northrup and many more at the Hay House I Can Do It Conference in Toronto, Canada in mid-May. We feel lucky to have this rapidly rising star available to us locally for such an intimate program. At this time, we are looking for organizations, businesses and individuals to get involved in the creation, funding and promotion of the events. Please join us to become empowered with kindness.
For more information, email mike@framedartoutlet.com or call 603 356-8278.
Get Tickets for the Lecture
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