Goodlums

The Kindness Crew guys, otherwise known as "goodlums" (as HappyNews calls these blokes), have traversed Canada doing random acts of "extreme kindness." They're starting a "Kindness Revolution," and I had fun going to their Kindness Counter to see what they and others have been doing recently in the way of caring.

Go to their Web site, have a browse, and get busy kindnessing, why don't you?

Sara Salkahazi

It sounds like a heroine story straight from a fictional film, but this Hungarian nun, recently beatified by the Catholic church, has been said to have saved over 100 Jews during World War II. Sara hid them in the building where she lived with other Sisters of Social Service, and was shot by the Arrow Cross for her bravery. Together, the Sisters saved over 1,000 Jews from being massacred.

Despite the deathly dangers, Sara risked all in sisterly love.

Think in terms of multiplication: She saved 100 lives. How many descendants of those people are in existence today because of what Sara did?

None of us will probably do anything quite as dramatic, but who knows how our good deeds could impact countless numbers of people?

Have a Laugh in Nigeria

You might think that people in a country hounded by corruption since its independence in 1960 would be depressed. Think again. As Kieran Cooke reports from Lagos, even when his plane is grounded by a bird diving for an engine, he and the other passengers have a good laugh about it all.

Despite being an oil-rich country, many Nigerians live in poverty. Undaunted by blackouts, water shortages, and six-hour commutes to work, people in the former capital of Lagos brave these deprivations with humor. "No Tension" is the logo on one yellow painted bus.

I don't have any hardships anywhere near what a lot of Nigerians go through, but I've definitely been inspired to see the joy in any situation.

Forgiveness Rocks Our World

Recently in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the Amish community was devastated by the killing of five girls, and the injuring of five others, by a local milk delivery man. He entered an Amish school, killed and injured the girls, then shot himself.

The Amish have told Mrs. Roberts (whose husband killed the children) that they forgive Mr. Roberts, and have even started a bank account to help her family. In return, Mrs. Roberts has issued a statement thanking the Amish community for their forgiveness, and has said, "...We will continue to put our hope and trust in the God of all comfort, as we all seek to rebuild our lives."

Can you imagine forgiving someone for killing your child? Even in the midst of a dark and evil situation, God's light beams through, offering hope and healing. Now that's amazing grace.

Nobel Man

Muhammad Yunus, a Bangladeshi who founded the Grameen Bank in 1976, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for aiding those in poverty. An economist, he came up with the idea of giving micro-credit to those who need it most. Yunus founded the bank with $27, and today it has 6.6 million borrowers. 97% of those are women.

This year's winner has surprised quite a few people, who were expecting the prize to go to one of the many involved in peace talks.

But it's good news to the millions who have been touched by Yunus's generosity and giving heart.