My bracelet came to me at Merlefest, an Americana music festival in NC.   Making music and listening to music enhances all of our senses and amplifies our ability to be kind.    My  father, the late Ed Powell,  (the inventor of kind) said that music opens pathways to the soul.    He thought it was always a good time to "make some music" and that music could lighten your spirit and  brighten your outlook on life.   I can still hear him singing "keep on the sunny side of life", a uplifting gospel number that portrays the reality of life's ups and downs and our choice to deal with them in positive and sunny manner. I am inspired by the  connections this bracelet will make in my passing it to others who embrace life with an open mind and a kind heart.   Let us always be mindful of others feelings and operate in a manner that is inclusive of all no matter how different they may be. " I bent the truth today to be kind, for I am far more certain of what is kind than I am of what is true!" "You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him"

From Wilmington to Greenville

I received my bracelet on Friday, May 4, just one day before I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. My bracelet saw many things while it was around my arm. I wore my bracelet through my graduation ceremony as I shook Chancellor  Jose V. Sartarelli's  hand and accepted an item that was not my diploma (because my actual diploma is being sent via the United States Postal System). I wore my bracelet as I said goodbye to many friends I made over the 4 years I spent at UNCW, some friends I may have seen for the last time while others I am sure I will see again someday. These moments with dear friends were bittersweet, because although I will remain friends with many of these individuals our friendships will be different. I will no longer spend long nights in the library with some of my close study buddies. I will no longer play ultimate frisbee three times per week with my close friends on the UNCW's ultimate team. The list of things I won't be able to do anymore could go on and on. However, the memories I have from these experiences, amongst many others, will live forever in my mind for the remainder of my life. It is now time to make new friends and new memories. Two days after graduating my Father and one of my best friends assisted me in moving to Greenville, North Carolina. Greenville will be my home for the next three years as I pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at East Carolina University. I am confident the memories and experiences I will have as a doctoral student will be as great or better than those I had as un undergraduate. If I can give one piece of advice it is to live in the present and look forward to the future. It is hard to live a fulfilling life if you are focussed on the past, constantly reminiscing on how magnificent life was at some previous high point compared to how monotonous life is today. Live in the now! Use your past experiences and relationships to make your current ones all the more worthwhile! I have attached an image from my graduation. I hope you enjoyed my story.

My name is Alex and I am currently a Doctor of Physical Therapy Student at East Carolina University and I received the bracelet from my roommate in Greenville. I am currently traveling in Scotland and Paris with my girlfriend to visit some family of ours. I believe this world needs more kindness and I strive to spread that on a daily basis. From family and friends to strangers, every small interaction can be done with kindness and it takes no extra effort. For me it starts small, and if more people spent a little extra time to say a kind word or forgive the person that cut them off in traffic, we would all be a lot happier. I hope this bracelet’s journey helps to spread this.

My name is Kyle Baron I am American but currently living in Paris, France where I am completing my Master's in Business Development at ESSCA University. I received my bracelet from my friend Alex, who along with his girlfriend, was visiting my girlfriend and I for a couple days in Paris (Our girlfriends are sisters). The story of this bracelet seems to be consistent. Each person that has worn it before me, wanted to pass on kindness through music, and friendships. I believe that every time I look down and see this bracelet on my wrist I will remember to look around and see what I can do to help the person next to me, even if it is just a smile. I also want to remind the future wearers of bracelet 3810 to love your neighbor, treat others with respect, and always act with integrity. Thanks for reading :)

While traveling Europe for the first time, I stopped in Kopenhagen to see a childhood friend who now calls that city Home. On my last day, he passed on his bracelet to me, figuring it an appropriate time, place, and friend to do so.