BE PART OF THE LEGACY
TAMPA BAY • FEBRUARY 23-24 2026
This FINAL encore experience will be unlike any other. Because like everything we do, it's been "reimagined" from beginning to end. It's not a virtual or hybrid event. It's not a conference. It's not a seminar, a workshop, a meeting, or a symposium. And it's not your typical run-of-the-mill everyday event crammed with stages, keynote speeches, team-building exercises, PowerPoint presentations, and all the other conventional humdrum. Because it's up close & personal by design. Where conversation trumps presentation. And where authentic connection runs deep.
Our Intentional Kindness Challenge
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Helped a friend of mine get a job. He has been out of work and had to move in with his parents. Hopefully on the track to getting his life back.
The things of value we create in life are the things we give. It is how we live our life and what we did for others that live on within the people we touch is the value of what we leave behind.
I’m at home today preparing for a final (bittersweet) class where I’ve been teaching at a social services rehab agency. The funding has been cut so I can’t continue the program. My husband started a Go Fund Me to try to keep the program going but so far it hasn’t done the job. So I am preparing the program for tomorrow that I hope will provide them with tools they can use to make their lives better that will be enough. It is what I’ve been doing every week. Many of the people in the program have lived lives that we would call unfair. One was kept home from school as a child so she could care for her ailing grandmother so she didn’t learn what other children were learning. Another was born out of a violent act and the violence continued through the first thirty years of her life. I’ve helped these people believe more in themselves and learn how to feel more hopeful instead of fearful, resentful, or despair. What will be enough? What will be the perfect words? I feel like I am just another in a long line of people who won’t be there for them although they will remain in my thoughts and prayers. Before I can convince them that the tools I’ve shared are enough, that they have what they need, I have to believe it. So today I am working on believing in them so much that I can convince them to believe in themselves.
At the end of the day I’ll probably do as I often do, get on Quora and provide insight, encouragement, and advice to individuals who have no where else to turn. Last night there was a 16 year old boy who has quit school and just wants to move out of his mom’s home and get a job because it is such an uncomfortable environment. I gave him some resources but on Quora you often don’t know what country the person you’re attempting to assist lives in so if they’re in another country it is difficult to know how to help.
Sometimes it is someone like that. Other times it is someone who is conflicted and frightened like a boy whose girlfriend is pregnant and he doesn’t know what he should do–run away or stand up to his responsibilities. The opportunities to help are all around us.
Yesterday I needed some help with an IT thing and I was so moved by the quick help of strangers I wrote a post about it. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:linkedInArticle:6277571511448584192/
I love this concept. I learned a long time ago that the way we define ourselves is the way we show up in the world and I decided to define myself as kind. It led to me being immediately and keenly aware when I begin to step outside of that. Since we have the ability to define ourself any of us (or all) could make that choice.
I’m very surprised that some people still confuse kindness with weakness. Dog eat dog. Don’t be a door mat. You’re too nice. These are just a small sample of what I’ve heard over the years. That was their first impression of me anyway.
That said, those very same people are surprised when I’m in a meeting and I draw those lines in the sand.
Amazing conversation team 🙂 I believe you’ve hit the nail on the head Jane. I share the advocacy for making the world a better place (plus, it snowballs). I love your outlook and your practice, Maria. I do, I do.
I could not agree more Chris – that assumption rings true far too often and on the positive end of that spectrum, when its our team who realizes that we’re exuding kindness because it’s who we are [its the right thing to do]. Confusing weakness under the guise of kindness is an err that the receiver is often taken aback by….
To all: did you know that on the flip side – that anger is a mask for fear and worry? When we see someone lash out (albeit oftentimes inappropriate), it’s generally borne of impending [or real] fear; and it’s also primal veil used in times of worry and distress (just thought I’d throw that out there to drive home the power of just how important – just how much it truly matters, when we take a moment or two to be kind to others).
Knowing this tidbit of trivia may aid in recognizing the power of kindness~
The studies to support this are endless. This gentle reminder helps us realize just how easy it is to join ranks here. Plus, this challenge-of-the-day has some pretty beautiful lingering and synergistic effects 🙂
Thank you for the great idea!
My mind went blank seeing this wonderful challenge. I’ve spent the last weeks helping out people in their life’s tumults, trying to instill hope. I realized that the best act of kindness might be for me to take a short step back and recuperate for a few hours. So that I’m up to the task again come evening. Even so, I launched a special ‘thank you’ card via Twitter. I receive such positive feedback from different people around the world, that it is nice to regularly thank people.
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Ideas for RAK: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas
Thanks for sharing your acts of kindness, Maria – as you know, little things can make BIG differences…!
What an amazing impact your acts of kindness will have, Jane. Thanks for “paying it forward” today & every day!
Today’s kindness: took a 95 year old friend out yo lunch so she could get away from her one room home. Sent 4 cards to people who probably never get letters in the mail. Gave a gift card to a new mom who wouldn’t expect it.
I believe you will never regret being kind. The world will be a better place when people treat others calmly with kindness, tolerance, and respect. The world will be a better place when we don’t automatically think I disagree with you means I hate you. The world will be a better place when we intentionally give and receive life-giving words and actions that model kindness.