Inspiring Acts

Changing the world starts with one simple act.

In difficult times, stories of heroic endeavor always hearten us. But sometimes what motivates us are the everyday acts, things so simple that we can easily contribute. Everyone, after all, has the power to give kindness.

The people we’ve called out as our Most Inspiring Acts were among the many this year who saw an injustice or a void or someone down-and-out who needed a little help. They include a preschooler struggling to understand homelessness, a mother instilling bravery in sick children, a blogger cheering up strangers, and a heart-transplant recipient spreading the message of the greatest gift of all. They’re very different people, from all across America, who decided to step forward and do one simple good deed. And their actions have inspired friends, neighbors, strangers, communities to carry forward their cause, or take up their own mission.

If their stories inspire you, visit Ripples of Kindness (kindness.yahoo.com). As more people take action and encourage others, your ripple of kindness might become a wave of change. That’s how good grows.

–Toan Lam

A former broadcast reporter, Lam founded Go Inspire Go (GIG), an inspirational, video-based website that uses social networking to inspire social change, encouraging viewers to use their powers to help others. He currently blogs online for Huffington Post, Deepak Chopra’s Intent, and Tonic.