All the best to you in the New Year…may it be filled with joy and, of course…

Boom Boom!

Happy Holidays and Boom Boom! to you all!

Image Source: http://www.kindredgifts.com.au

Kindred Gifts Helps Boom Boom! Take Acts of Kindness Global

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” – Winston Churchill. At Kindred Gifts, the inspirational words of Winston Churchill aren’t just a mantra but a way of life, and our team is driven every day to help all customers achieve their best life possible – whether that’s through our customers giving a gift that makes both themselves and the recipient feel great, or simply by becoming a part of the Kindred ‘family.’

We’re so proud to be a part of the Kindred ‘family’ and hope that you’ll share in our excitement as we spread our wings globally, carrying acts of kindness worldwide

Thank you ‘mates,’ and Boom Boom!

Teen Deck Kindness Cards Provide Bully Prevention Activities

Many of the Boom Boom! Teen Deck acts of kindness cards were designed with the topic of bullying in mind and with the hope that they could help end this continuing problem by preventing it in the first place. Most of us have seen bullying portrayed in films or on TV with a “kids will be kids” mentality or as a “rite of passage” that we all must endure, but anyone who’s been the target of bullying or witnessed it firsthand, knows that those images and experiences tend to make light of a very real form of anxiety for kids.

If you’ve ever been bullied, you may recall the dread you felt on the way to school, the depression, loneliness, low self-esteem, or physical illness you might have battled. The torment bullying victims feel makes it hard for them to focus in the classroom, adding a substantial challenge to learning, as well as taking away from the joy of childhood, which should be a happy, carefree time.

Never Too Young For Acts of Kindness Lessons

Many educators have found that using Boom Boom! Cards as a voluntary classroom activity focused on kindness renders the best results because the kids are authentically engaged when they chose to take part on their own. By starting with kindness lessons early on, there’s a better chance students will preserve and enhance their positive character traits as they grow-up. You can kick off the class collaborative kind acts by letting students choose the charity that will receive 10 % of the cards’ purchase price. Keep us updated on your progress so we can work to spread the awareness, and the solutions you discover.

Right now we’re happily following the posts from students in Aurora, CO who have been proud to showcase their success. They’ve completed a bunch of cards; here are just a couple examples:

Leave a note telling someone why the world is a better place with them in it…
http://boomboomcards.com/card/299/7173 – Teen Deck Card # 3

Thank the custodians for always keeping the school clean…
http://boomboomcards.com/card/318/7133 – Teen Deck Card # 21

Ask someone who is alone to join you…
http://boomboomcards.com/card/314/7118 – Teen Deck Card # 18

Bullying Prevention Programs Help the Cause

It seems that the possibilities of how the cards can be used by those Agents of Altruism in education are immeasurable. With dedication and teamwork, not only can we give children the courage to stop bullying, but also to prevent them from becoming a bully.

We’re more than happy to collaborate with you to create a bullying prevention program or plan for your school, so reach out with your questions. Let’s get started right away!

Tweet your thoughts and ideas @boomboomcards, or post on our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/boomboomcards.

Together we can make a difference! Thank you, and BOOM BOOM!

Let the count-up commence! We’ve got some extra energy around here lately because every time we turn around a new act of kindness post appears, bringing us ever closer to reaching the milestone of 5,000 act of kindness posts.

While we can vividly recall the very first one, it is a bit more difficult to wrap our heads around the notion that the 5000th post is actually just around the corner. We’re thrilled and want to express how very grateful we are to all of the members of the Boom Boom! Revolution who have helped it get this far.

If you’ve ever contemplated the idea of becoming a revolutionary yourself, now is an ideal time. Go ahead, uncover your innate altruism, and be part of changing the world with this passionate community of Boom Boomers!

One Act of Kindness Turns to Many Acts of Kindness

It’s hard to believe that it was just 2006 when the Boom Boom! Revolution was simply our shared idealist vision…a vision that turned out to be ‘not so simple.’ Still, we ventured forward, and our intentional acts of kindness cards were ready to go in the early part of 2007. The website creation followed in 2008 and officially launched in February of 2009.

Now, as we near this landmark, our belief is reaffirmed that what starts off as one act of kindness can grow exponentially. The 5000th Boom Boom! mark translates to 2,000 acts of kindness per year over the 2 ½ years since the introduction of http://boomboomcards.com. That’s approximately 39 kind acts a week, and who knows how many since the inception of the original cards!

We built this company on the hope to inspire an uprising of guerilla goodness, and are glad to see our efforts seem to be making a difference.

So, keep it up Agents! Continue to play and pass your Boom Boom! kindness cards, and help grow the uprising of guerilla goodness to 5,000 and beyond! We promise to sustain the vitality and innovation on our side as well. Together, we’re doing something that’s never been done before: creating a platform for kindness. Thank you for being a part of it!

In the meantime, we’ll be contemplating whom the 5000th Boom Boom! poster will be, and when the post will grace the pages of http://boomboomcards.com!

Come to think of it… Will it be you?

Share in our excitement by connecting with us on Twitter, http://twitter.com/#!/boomboomcards, or Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/boomboomcards.

We’re looking forward to sharing this moment with all of our fans and followers, especially our one-of-a-kind Agents of Altruism!

Thank you, and

Really? Health Benefits of Kindness? Says Who?

Examples are documented everywhere!

Medical experts have conducted studies to prove and evaluate the health benefits of kindness. Some of the after effects of an act of kindness can include a rush of euphoria, then a long period of calm, resulting in an elevated emotional condition and feelings of self-worth.

We recently read an account proclaiming that people who took time to volunteer in their community had fewer ailments and a longer life span than neighbors who did not. Another study focused on volunteers in their golden years. Seniors showed improved physical functioning after performing an act of kindness, such as reading to students or helping children with their reading skills.

Health benefits can even pass on to those who witness others performing acts of kindness. For example, one study noted a surge in immune system function after individuals watched a film about Mother Teresa.

An Act of Kindness Improves Health, Says Us!

A perfect act of kindness example was recently tweeted by Joy Keys, a member of Boom Boom! Revolution:

“Jul 15, 1:49pm -@joykeys: Just bought two people I didn’t know ice cream at Dairy Queen @boomboomcards.”

“Jul 15, 5:40pm – @joykeys: I felt pretty high after. Like all is well in the world. Put a smile on two people’s faces :-)”

With the simple purchase of ice cream Joy implemented the kindness idea on Boom Boom! Card #10 in the Original Deck, “Unexpectedly pick up the tab, even if it’s not a special occasion.” She gave herself a little dose of kindness therapy by playing Boom Boom!’s kindness cards, and shared the “natural medicine” of smiling, which we all know is highly contagious! But did you know that smiling also reduces stress, boosts the immune system, and lowers blood pressure? Yeah, we were happy to hear that too!

Don’t Believe the Experts? Or Us?

Well then, the only thing left to do is conduct your own study on the health benefits of kindness.

Study #1: Simply perform an act of kindness and record your feelings (post your story in the Boom Boom! community too!). You can observe the reaction of the receiver and try to take note of any individuals who observe the event as well.

OR

Study #2: Go bigger and gather teams of ‘do-gooders’ to execute acts on Boom Boom!’s kindness cards within the group; record the results and compare.

Whatever your preferred “scientific method,” please share your producers, findings and results! Tweet at us: @boomboomcards, and post on our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/boomboomcards.

Cheers to good health, and Boom Boom!

Green Kindness in Action

Our Agents of Altruism never fail to deliver. In her “Swap it!” post, greenthumbs brought Green Card #11 to life by ‘Revolutionizing It’ with her class. Everyone brought in books and clothes they no longer needed, and swapped with others for ‘better things.’ What a fun way to spend the day!

Green Card #17 inspired Agent jbol to go through her overstuffed cupboards and drawers… Better yet, she passed the card along to a good friend to have her do the same. In her post, “Clean up day,” she shares that sweet feeling of having a de-cluttered space, and two big bags ready for donation. Now that’s an act of green kindness she won’t soon forget!

Acts of Green Kindness Today, and Every Day

May 14th marks a day that people can almost effortlessly de-clutter their lives, while also shrinking landfills, saving money, and promoting giving. Let the Green Deck inspire acts of green kindness today, like Give Your Stuff Away Day, and every day.

Make sure you share with us what items end up in your curb box this weekend, and what you find while strolling through your neighborhood by Tweeting at us: @boomboomcards, and posting on our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/boomboomcards.

We can’t wait to see which Boom Boom! Card inspires you this weekend, so be sure to post your acts of green kindness Boom Boom!’s on www.boomboomcards.com.

Now grab that empty box, and start filling! ☺

This year, Earth Day’s theme is ‘A Billion Acts of Green®.’ The idea is that real change occurs best when millions of people commit to it with their actions. Sound familiar? :)

Inspire Green Kindness Through Action

Become an ‘Energy Guardian’ for the day (for the year, or for life) with Green deck card #6: “Be diligent about the lights!” Agent of Altruism, Lenny, assigned the ‘Energy Guardian’ role to her son who revolutionized it by unplugging the family’s solar night lights every morning. Nice work!

Another fellow Agent of Altruism, gibZENfamily, is joining her daughter’s greening activities for the week by playing Green deck card #1. ‘Giving it up to Earth Week’ by ditching disposable cups, and carrying re-usable mugs for when the coffee cravings strike. Boom Boom!

Commit an Act of Green Kindness

Start simple with card #22 perhaps: “Use a timer to help reduce your shower by 25% or 2 minutes.” Conserve a little water for Mother Nature. We promise, it won’t hurt!

Tell us how you’re honoring Earth Day this year with your acts of green kindness by posting your eco-friendly Boom Boom!’s on www.boomboomcards.com.

Don’t forgot, you can also share your acts of green by Tweeting at us: @boomboomcards, and posting on our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/boomboomcards.

Happy Earth Day, Agents!

As part of this partnership, we created a special Boom Boom! A Small Act Kindness Card (see image at right) that is handed out at each screening of the film. This card provides an idea for a simple act of kindness that can help make the world a better place.

A Small Act Documentary Film in the UK

On April 15th, A Small Act realizes an important milestone: it opens in the UK. This is big news and we at Boom Boom! want to spread the word by helping promote the movie to ensure it enjoys a long and an influential life.

According to Jennifer Arnold and Patti Lee, filmmakers of A Small Act, the importance of this milestone cannot be underestimated, “As many of you know, a film’s opening weekend determines its theatrical life. The awarding winning Sundance film, A SMALL ACT, opens in the UK on April 15th and if people don’t come opening weekend then the film won’t stay in theatres – so please help us spread the word! Info at www.asmallact.co.uk.”

Here’s the great news, YOU can help by committing a simple act of kindness: attend a screening!

To get more information, visit: A Small Act in UK Official Announcement, to help spread the word. This page offers up Tweet and Facebook blurbs, as well as a movie synopsis, for you to copy and paste into your own blog, Facebook, and Twitter feeds. Keep us in the loop; we’re on Facebook and Twitter too!

Revolutionize It!: Even if you can’t make it to a screening, buy a ticket in support! Check out the current list of the A Small Act UK screenings.

We truly believe that one small act of kindness can effect big change in the world, often impacting others in profound ways that cannot be predicted. That’s the message portrayed in A Small Act, and the idea behind our mission to instigate an uprising of guerilla goodness.

Let’s be unpredictable today, and see where our support of A Small Act takes it. To learn even more about A Small Act, check out the page we dedicated to our partnership with the film: http://blog.boomboomcards.com/a-small-act

Random Acts of Kindness Week

February 14-20 is Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Week, and for seven days the RAK Foundation invites you, yes, YOU!, to take extreme kindness challenges. And, that’s not all, Random Acts of Kindness Week kicks off with Generosity Day this year. We couldn’t ask for a more perfect scenario!

Generosity Day

What is Generosity Day, you ask? Generosity Day is an experiment to “Reboot Valentine’s Day for Good” (pretty much love music to our ears when we heard the title).

Sasha Dichter, one of the individuals behind the idea, explains Generosity Day as “one day of sharing love with everyone, of being generous to everyone, to see how it feels and to practice saying “Yes.”  Let’s make the day about love, action and human connection – because we can do better than smarmy greeting cards, overpriced roses, and stressed-out couples trying to create romantic meals on the fly.”

Sasha goes on to express that “The goal is to spend Valentine’s Day being more generous, giving more money, sharing of yourself, being of service.  All acts of generosity, small and big alike, count.  But you have to say YES to everything that’s asked of you, all day long! It’s about creating more generosity in the world, and becoming a more open person along the way.”

We couldn’t agree with you more, on all accounts, Sasha!

How Can YOU Celebrate RAK Week and Generosity Day?

This year, we’re going to spice up RAK Week by challenging you to participate in Generosity Day on February 14th and create and perform an Everyday Boom Boom! each day from February 14-20.  According to Trendwatching.com, you won’t be the only one out there inspiring change with “Random Acts of Kindness” being the number 1 trend out of the 11 Crucial Consumer Trends for 2011. So what are you waiting for?

You do not need a deck of random acts of kindness cards to start participating. Although, if you have Boom Boom! Cards already, they can only help this kindness effort.

To Celebrate Generosity Day (Feb. 14th)

• Say YES to everything that is asked of you, all day long!
• Perform acts of generosity! (get some ideas here or further down in this blog post)
• Spread the word about Generosity Day and an act of generosity that you have performed, witnessed, and/or received:
• Tweet directly from your account using the #generosityday hashtag
• Publish a post on the Official Generosity Day Facebook Page
• Blog about it
• Check out the FastCompany article covering this virtual event to spread the word on Twitter by either asking the question or answering the question of “How Will You Celebrate Generosity Day”: http://www.fastcompany.com/1727145/re-booting-valentine-s-day-for-good (Then look for your Tweet  in the widget on the page – see the stream below for an example of what we mean)

To Celebrate the Rest of RAK Week 2011 (Feb. 14th – 20th)

We’d like to offer up some potential Boom Boom!’s to get you going for each day of RAK week… (Can that count as our first act of kindness? After all, sharing is caring!)

Try these on for size:

1. Send that email you’ve been too busy to write.  You’ll make someone smile.
2. Invite your neighbor over to play cards or a board game.  They may need the company.
3. When you say, “Can I help you with something?” – mean it, and follow through!
4. Share a cup of coffee with a friend who’s having a rough day, lend your ear.  It’ll be worth the time.
5. De-clutter your schedule so that you don’t have to rush out of that meeting early, or leave the soccer game before the final goal is kicked. Being present, means being available.
6. Kindness assumes that everyone is worthy, you included.  Relax today.  Unwind.  Let it all go.  Tomorrow, encourage someone else to do the same – it may be the motivation they need to take a break and recharge.
7. Offer your dinner reservation to the antsy couple next to you.  Next time around, they may do the same for another couple on a time crunch.

As we mentioned above, it is not necessary for you to have BB! Cards to participate in RAK Week. It is for these situations exactly that we have the Everyday Boom Boom!, a virtual Boom Boom! Card with a little spin on ‘random,’ as they generally promote ‘intentional’ acts of kindness.  You know, we Agents of Altruism like to consciously make a difference around here, through generous AND intentional AND random acts of kindness! ☺

Learn how to post your Everyday Boom Boom!

We’d love to hear all about how you intend to celebrate RAK Week 2011 and all the acts of kindness you perform, witness or receive this week. So, please do not hesitate to:

• Leave us a comment on this blog post
• Tweet at us: @boomboomcards
• Post on our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/boomboomcards

Make RAK Week one to remember this year, Boom Boom!