Orly’s day on the court

NY Knicks Honor Orly Wahba

On Sunday April 14^th, 2013 Orly Wahba, founder of Life Vest Inside was honored at Madison Square Garden by the New York Knicks at center court and awarded the Sweetwater Clifton City Spirit Award. Each month the Knicks reward an outstanding member of the community with the Knicks Sweetwater Clifton City Spirit Award in honor of Nat Sweetwater Clifton, the first African American to play for the Knicks who remained a stellar figure in the community until his death in 1990. This award recognizes those who have gone above and beyond and have made a difference in the lives of others in a significant way.

Orly was called to center court during the 2^nd quarter of the game and was joined by NY Knicks legend, John Starks, who presented her with the award. Orly was honored for all that she has done and continues to do through Life Vest Inside, a non-profit she built from the ground up. Life Vest Inside is dedicated to spreading kindness, empowering people, and building self-esteem and self-value.

Orly received the award with great humility and said, “I’m honored to be given the privilege of waking up each day knowing that the organization is making a difference in the lives of others. It’s one of the most rewarding experiences.”

As for the purpose of the organization, Orly said “It’s all about showing people just how amazing they are and the potential they have to affect real and positive change in the world through simple yet powerful acts of kindness. When we are involved in acts of kindness, we realize how unbelievably amazing we are and that our value isn’t reliant on the amount of followers we have on instagram or Facebook, by the clothes we wear, or by how wealthy we are, but more importantly by the lives we touch, the impact and mark we leave on the lives of others.”

When asked about how it felt to receive such an honor from the Knicks, Orly commented, “I am so thankful to the Knicks for their amazing love and support. I don’t do what I do for recognition but at the same time a thank you can go a long way. It’s the thank you emails, posts, and tweets that people send me each day that keep me going, keep me giving, and most importantly keep me believing that change is possible and that kindness is the way to get there.”

Walt “Clyde” Frazier, NY Knicks legend and commentator was touched by Orly’s commitment to Life Vest Inside and commented, “It’s so great to see someone like that…so young and so concerned about our youth.”

The Sweetwater Clifton City Spirit Award couldn’t have gone to a better candidate; Orly truly is an inspirational community hero.

To learn more about Life Vest Inside or to contribute to this amazing cause visit: www.lifevestinside.com and connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram: (@lifevestinside)

Interested in Corporate Sponsorship opportunities? Email: orly@lifevestinside.com or Call: 347.2929.LVI

Life Vest Inside is proud to welcome Adversity to Advocacy (A2A) on board as our Kindness Partner! See below for an interview with Life Vest Inside Founder, Orly Wahba, about her YouTube sensation, “Kindness Boomerang,” and the personal adversity-to-advocacy story behind it.

Adversity 2 Advocacy Alliance (A2A) is an all-volunteer 501(c)3  non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and fostering the power of turning personal challenges into service to others with similar challenges. To this end, A2A has three primary objectives: (1) Network and support inspiring individuals who have turned adversity into advocacy; (2) Provide pathways to advocacy for anyone facing adversity; and (3) Showcase the proven power of turning adversity into advocacy.

While adversity is something we all experience to some degree, there is one approach that time and time again has proven successful in helping a person overcome the challenges they are facing. It taps the wisdom of the age-old adage that we help ourselves by helping others, and it is supported by a growing body of empirical evidence.  This approach is simply that of turning one’s personal challenges into service to others with similar challenges, and it’s available to anyone battling any form of adversity.

A2A aims to achieve its goals through a web-based collection of inspiring stories, educational material, and advocacy opportunities for individuals: (a) facing mental, physical, or other life challenges; and (b) looking for ways to be of service to others with similar challenges.

A2A has proven to truly influence change in people’s lives. Life Vest Inside is proud to be associated with A2A and would like to acknowledge the great work they are doing in building a phenomenal healing process for those who have experienced a great deal of adversity in their lives. As their motto states, “We help ourselves by helping others.”

A2A Allies program is a very practical way for LVI followers to demonstrate kindness.   By adding your name to A2A’s “Wall of Allies,” followers are simply declaring their belief in the A2A concept that we help ourselves by helping others.  In doing so, you are also showing great kindness to dozens of remarkable individuals who have courageously turned their adversity into advocacy.

A2A Founder, Jeff Bell, interviews Life Vest Inside Founder, Orly Wahba, about her YouTube sensation, “Kindness Boomerang,” and the personal adversity-to-advocacy story behind it. Click HERE to check out the interview.

To learn more about A2A and get involved click HERE

Link to A2A’s ally page

Life Vest Inside is excited to welcome Shannyce Lashley on board as one of our newest interns. Shannyce has recently moved from Trinidad and is pursuing her degree in journalism and communications.

Over the past few weeks Shannyce has shown herself to be committed to spreading the message of kindness by embodying it on a day-to-day basis. Read below as Shannyce shares her experience with Life Vest Inside and why kindness is so important to her.

Shannyce, welcome aboard to the LVI family!

“I first learned about LVI through an internship workshop at Brooklyn College and I must say that I was captivated by the organization’s mission. I believe that everything in life happens for a reason and this was clearly noted when I had the opportunity of meeting Orly Wahba, the Founder of Life Vest Inside, on the day of the workshop. For as long as I could remember I have always been interested in helping others. When I saw the video “Kindness Boomerang,” I knew that I had found my purpose in life. This may sound cliché, but I had found my calling.

I had the opportunity to speak to Orly when the workshop ended, and amazingly enough we both clicked! I was in love with what she was trying to accomplish through LVI, and I knew that I could be a helping hand in seeing that through. Every day we are given the opportunity to make someone else smile, so why not do it. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see.” At Life Vest Inside, we are changing the way people see themselves and others by spreading the word of kindness and empowering people to see that even a simple act of kindness can go a long way.

I am passionate about helping others and I believe that the opportunity that Orly has afforded me will definitely make a difference in the world. This may seem a bit far-fetched, but once you believe you can achieve! A small group of people can change the world! Life Vest Inside’s mission is to make kindness go viral and that is exactly what we are going to do because after all…kindness keeps the world afloat!

My first memory of experiencing a kind act was in my pre-adolescent years. As a child I used to perform ballet, and one year at dance camp, I was unable to complete a dance routine because I fell down and twisted my ankle. I remember my dancing partner running over to my side to help me stand up. She did not have to do that, but she chose to be kind and help me.

Similarly, when I was in high school, I did something that helped me see the world differently. I realized that we do not have to be kind, but in fact we choose to be kind, and in doing so, we uplift ourselves in ways others can only dream of experiencing. One morning on my way to school there was a homeless man near my car. I stopped at the traffic light and he came up to my window and said, “Ms. I’m not here to ask you for any money, all I want is something to eat.” I reached over into my bag and gave him my sandwich. He occupied my mind throughout the rest of the day and at the time I didn’t fully understand how much of a difference I made. After that, each day I saw him I would give him my lunch. Honestly, he changed my life more than I changed his. He showed me that something small can in fact make someone’s life better.

Kindness is an important part of fixing things in the world because we as human beings need to look out for one another. The main goal humanity has to achieve is the actualization that we need to be our brother’s or sister’s keeper. People should choose kindness because it is what keeps the threads of humanity tightly bound. We are all made up of different races, colors, religions, and cultures, but it is our difference that makes us unique. Together we make up the quilt of humanity – and it is one beautiful quilt!”

~Shannyce Lashley

Thank you so much Shannyce for sharing with the LVI community and for living a life of kindness.

Life Vest Inside would like to recognize the charitable contribution of Peace Bear to donate 5% of sales to Life Vest Inside’s world changing mission.

Founded in 2011, Peace Bear is a female owned and operated company that designs, manufactures and markets Jewelry and Handbag lines, targeting a young female demographic. Peace Bear International believes that businesses should be socially conscious. And so, all of their products are designed with a built in “social component” that enables them to pay it forward by contributing a school bag to a child in need. For each bag purchased and 5% of jewelry sales to Life Vest Inside. Check out their website to purchase Peace Bear merchandise.

On Thursday April 18^th, 2013, Orly Wahba, founder of Life Vest Inside, was invited back to speak at the Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce for their quarterly Women in Business Luncheon. The Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce is a valued resource for businesses and the community. The Chamber fosters growth for its members by providing information, facilitating business education, encouraging collaboration and sponsoring networking opportunities.

Bill Atkins, a member of the Board, commented, “Orly had first come to speak at the luncheon back in November and after such a positive response, I felt it necessary to have her present again. Especially with everything that’s happened in Boston, people are in need of a powerful message to restore their faith in humanity.”

Life Vest Inside is a non-profit organization with a mission to unite and empower the world with kindness. “It’s all about helping people see the amazing and wonderful potential they have to make a difference in the world through simple yet powerful acts of kindness!” Orly stated.

The event was a huge success. As soon as Orly began speaking, she instantly lit up as she shared the story of Life Vest Inside and the powerful message it carries. People were captivated by her words, and enchanted by the great cause she is working towards achieving. Terese Rölke, an Independent Representative of Primerica Financial Services Insurance Marketing, Inc commented, “This was the most amazing presentation, Orly is a fabulous speaker. She inspired the whole crowd. There’s no doubt that she is going to make a difference in the world. Not only does she have a huge heart, she is authentic and it shines through.”

Orly’s engaging presentation told the story of how she first started out and what drove her to invest all of her time into this worthy cause. “The concept of uniting people has been a part of my story since childhood, but it was my students who inspired me to take it to the next level.” In spite of the obstacles Orly faced when starting out on her venture, she pressed on and had a positive mindset for her vision. “I told myself that if I truly believe in my vision I need to let go of the fear of failure and just begin. I had no idea how I would reach the masses, but I knew I wouldn’t give up.”

She shared some of her personal challenges and obstacles in life, experiences many can relate to. “We may not be able to prevent the curve balls life throws our way, but we most certainly can throw someone a life vest, a life line of kindness to help see them through, to help keep them afloat. After all we are all part of this world to help see each other through,” stated Orly. Maggie Ruane, a Sales Consultant at CSAV Systems remarked, “She is a phenomenal person and her presentation was great because she brings in real life situations others can relate to. It really touches your heart and it makes you want to do something as great as she is doing.”

In her words, “Kindness is Magical because more than anything it reminds a person of their worth and just how valuable they truly are. In today’s society we all need a reminder that we matter.”

The event ended with a roaring standing ovation and one by one the attendees approached Orly to share their personal stories and how the message of the organization resonated so deeply with them. “I have been attending these luncheons for 3 years and I’ve never seen anyone receive a standing ovation,” one of the woman remarked.

The message is so simple, yet so powerful. “Kindness doesn’t require a change in lifestyle, but simply a change in perspective.”

~Shannyce Lashley

(Shannyce is currently interning with Life Vest Inside and is a student at Brooklyn College)

To learn more about Life Vest Inside and donate visit: www.lifevestinside.com

Interested in Corporate Sponsorship opportunities? Email: lifevestinside@gmail.com Call: 347.2929.LVI

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram: @lifevestinside

At a time when violence in the United States is at its highest level in nearly two decades, international spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, one of the leading lights in the quest for non-violence, is taking a stand. His Holiness is launching an unprecedented national movement to counteract violence with one billion acts of non-violence. The initiative , “Non-Violence: No Higher Calling,” challenges individuals to commit to an act of non-violence through a social and digital campaign, culminating with the Guru’s five-city U.S. tour at the end of this month.

Supporters of this groundbreaking initiative, powered by Mr. Shankar’s Art of Living Foundation, are encouraged to share their commitments on the “Non-Violence: No Higher Calling” website in an effort to make non-violence go viral. With thousands of pledges recorded and partnerships with schools and advocacy groups underway, the peaceful crusade has already begun to change the world with actions ranging from playing only life-affirming video games to speaking out against bullying to practicing daily meditation, yoga or prayer. The goal is to accumulate 100 acts of non-violence for every act of violence and eventually reach one billion acts.

Engaged citizens in five major U.S. cities will witness the power of this movement first-hand when Mr. Shankar, joined by various celebrities and activists, leads a massive guided meditation with thousands of participants to help create a stress-free mindset. Each event will also feature its own unique style, including live music performances, participation from various elected officials and inspirational speeches from students on what non-violence means to them.

“The Wright brothers appeared crazy before they flew, and I have this crazy idea–a world without violence,” says Mr. Shankar, whose life mission to unite the world by instilling human values has inspired people throughout the world to connect and inspire change.. “With all the violence in the world, this idea may appear to be hoping for utopia, but we need to dream and we will get there. If we instill pride in being non-violent, compassionate and helpful to others, our lives will take a new direction. And that should be our unwavering commitment!”

The tour comes to New York on March 30^th at 2 pm at the Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza. And it ends with an award ceremony at the alma mater of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Morehouse College in Atlanta, where Mr. Shankar will be honored with the Gandhi-MLK-Ikeda Award for Non-Violence.

For more information on the “Non-Violence: No Higher Calling” campaign and upcoming events, visit www.nonvio.org.

A note from Orly Wahba, Founder and President of Life Vest Inside…

We asked Ziwei what led him to Life Vest Inside…

Well, it started about around February of this year, I forgot how but I came across the “Kindness Boomerang” video. The very minute I watched it , I told my self I need to be working with LVI. LVI’s mission directly correlates with what I believe in and what I want to do in the world. So I contacted Orly and that’s where it all began. When I was asked to be a group leader for the World Wide FlashMob, honestly I was hesitant and a little bit afraid. I had never taken up a project like that before and never even participated in a flashmob before, when I got the email I was speaking with a close friend of mine, her and I always spoke about what we can do to change the world and that sort of stuff. So when I told her I didn’t know how to reply because I was afraid I would not do a good job being a group leader, she said one thing “Just Do It!”, she kind of pushed me out of my comfort zone and help me realize if I want to help change the world I am just going to have to dive in. That is the story how I ended up being a group leader, she has been with me every step of the way and have helped me spread LVI’s mission across Miami. For me, it has been such a wonderful experience. I can see the direct impact that LVI has, when I look at all the people that was involved with the flashmob. Everyone it touched has been inspired.

We love you, Ziwei! We are so honored to have you as our Miami, Florida Kindness Ambassador!

English teacher Timur Boskin of Almaty, Kazakhstan showed his students our Kindness Boomerang film. Here are some of the students’ thoughts about Life Vest Inside and the power of kindness… :)

Leonid:

I know “Life vest inside” for about one month, it’s not too long, but still I understood that the community “Life vest inside” is making a real thing, to help people and to solve their problems. I think that real problem in the world is that simply don’t understand each other. We have to try to help somebody to know he’s problem, because we could understand people by helping them. I  think that “life vest inside” is organization, which realizes our dreams. Dreams which we are afraid of telling people because they can laugh at us.

Fatima:

I do agree with “Life vest inside” organization. Because they try save our souls, our kindness. They want us to understand how it is important to be kind with other people around us. Life vest inside it not only charity organization, they don’t just give money to somebody, they makes us feel ourselves like angels do and we can help. We can do very important step in one’s life. So, with life vest inside, I understand that I am capable to.

Aigerim:

I like life vest inside very much. I think that it is very important and I also believe that kindness one of the best things in the world because in our life people forgot about simple good things. We played “Angel game” and it was very interesting. It was very cool, because my “object” was happy, when I put some presents and good things for this person.

Diana:

I think a creation of life vest inside is really good idea, which made good influence to us. It is important to be kind, to can give, not only to take. Because when you do something nice to others, it makes that person happy and of course, makes happy you! I think life vest inside is very good project. Because without LVI we won’t be kind and generous. And without kindness, we can’t live on the Earth. I like this project. I think because of it I become kinder and more open to people.

Adil Maken:

I think Life vest inside it is very good project. I know this project one month and now I became better. Before I was very bad, for example when someone I help. If was beaten I didn’t pay any attention. But now I have become better.I want to tell you one story. I found money and I didn’t spend it I tried to find host of the money, but I could’t. Later I found one boy who was eating a bit of apple and I gave him money that I found. I saw his smile, I gave him hope. He was happy and I’ll never forget his smile.

Alua:

I think Life vest inside community is very important and helpful organization. They’re trying to awake the kindness and love in people. It is relevant, because nowadays our world become meaner, colder and darker. Life vest inside really keeps our world afloat. If they won’t care, nobody care.

Dayan: 

I think this project is Great, because people like it. Everybody like it. I knew this organisation, but didn’t pay attention, but now I like it too. Kindness – very important quality for all people of the world, because kindness keeps world on afloat.

Dilara:

Nowadays people pay attention to techies more than human quality and it’s really sad. When I looked around me I saw selfishness, rudeness, evil and other bad stuffs. But when I heard about LVI I was pleasantly surprised, because I saw that the kindness exists. And it’s really cool that people from all around the world are doing a good things just because they want it.

Bibisara:

I think that LVI impacted me in a very positive way and it is very important to care about kindness in the world. Because if all people care and think about other people in our world we can change everything. I know that it is a good idea to start kindness from our class and our school, and the first step was – “Angel game”. I hope that everyone will join us!!!

Zhanbolat:

So, I like “Life Vest Inside”. In the past I saw organizations like this and I liked it too, but they were not so global like LVI. After then, when I got introduced to the project I want to do more good things, but I can’t to do some thinkg. Because people think that I am a bad boy or a shoplifter and like this. I don’t know why they think so … Maybe because I like to wear dark clothes, and I am with the strange hair stile? Don’t look on this I do like kindness.I want to write a story. One day I went from school. And … I saw an old lady on the road. I ran to her and I asked what had happened. She sad that she fell and couldn’t stand up. One I couldn’t pick her up and then unfamiliar man stopped the car and helped me and then went further. I asked where she was going to. She said to house number 19 A and she didn’t know where it was. I accompanied her to the house and when we come she said: “Thank you! Thank you very much! God Bless you!” and she said it with tears on eyes … When I went home I didn’t understand, why nobody didn’t help her. I think than she is poor and asks for money. This proves once again that people are judged by their looks. It’s awful. And I want that everybody everyday do at least one good thing.

Asanali:

I think Life vest inside is a great non-profit organization of the world. I like it, Because kindness keeps the world afloat, kindness – very important quality for all people of the world. We need to give kindness to each other!

Alemkhan

Life vest inside is WONDERFUL organization. They help to other people, poor, people, whose sick. It is very important to help other people, because most people are thinking only about themselves. We have watched LVI videos and they’re very good. At school we played Angel games.

Rustem:

I like Live vest inside very much. It’s a great project. They show how it is important to be kind to each other. That’s why we joined Life vest inside. And now we play the angels game. Everybody must help to other and make kindness anonymously.

(THANK YOU to Republican Science High School for your words of inspiration!!!!)

Andy Worcester and Mark Koopman, teachers at High Desert Middle School in Bend, Oregon, have started numerous Kindness Boomerangs within their school! Their 6th period class made THIS VIDEO and showed it to the 750 students within the school. The same class then performed Kindness FreezeMobs for the lunch room!

WOW!!! We are blown away, this is phenomenal. Our Life Vest Inside team is SO proud! Keep the Kindness going, HDMS!!!

Read Andy’s full email:  

Dear Orly,

I would like to share with you how your “Kindness Boomerang” video has impacted High Desert Middle School, in Bend, Oregon. I will try to be brief, but I am very excited about what is happening here. On October 10, we celebrated Unity Day in our school by asking students and staff to wear orange in support of anyone who has been bullied. During the day, a colleague sent a link to your video, which had been shared with her by one of her students. From there the idea of spreading the Kindness Boomerang took off.

My teaching Partner and I are fortunate enough to work with an incredible group of kids who have embraced this idea, and are running with it. On Monday, November 5, we held an all school assembly, combining your video, along with video clips of our students. The kids answered questions such as ” What would it be like if everyone was kind to each other at HDMS?”, or “How does it feel when someone shows you kindness?” Their answers were passionate and real, and the entire student body of 750 was engaged and attentive.

We followed it up today with a Freeze Mob of Kindness during our school lunches. The same students froze in an act of kindness, while their peers watched in amazement. We were able to broadcast it on a screen for all to see, and receive the message that it only takes a slight moment in time to show a little kindness.

With the help and enthusiasm of our students, we will continue to “throw boomerangs” throughout the year, as more activities are being planned.

I can honestly tell you that the last two events would not have taken place without the inspiration from your video. It, along with your message has touched our students, my partner and myself, and by the feedback we have received, many others in our school.

We hope to post our class  projects to our school website, and perhaps we could send them on to yours. For now, we send the boomerang back to you, and say thank you. You have inspired us greatly.

Sincerely,
Andy Worcester, Mark Koopman, and our awesome 6th period class

We received this touching email from a Queensland, Australia resident:

Dear Orly, how are you?

Firstly, I want to thank you for making the video ‘Kindness Boomerang’, I have been showing this to my students, I know many have been showing the video to their friends. A bit of an intro, I am a teacher, and a physics PhD student. I live in Queensland, Australia. I have a true story to share with you:

In January 2011, I lived in the Lockyer Valley, in between Brisbane and Toowoomba. I had just moved in after having surgery, I was still in pain, but coping okay and looking forward to a few weeks of relaxation and finishing my Masters degree. All this before I was due to start work at the new school later that month. January is usually hot, as it is high summer here – but this one had been not too hot, but unusually stormy. Then in early January, the impossible happened… the Queensland floods, sometimes referred to as the ‘inland tsunami’.

This started in Toowoomba, then roared through the Lockyer Valley, literally sweeping entire towns away. I remember being in my house on a hill, the lightning was deafning and the thunder shook the house (as did the small landslide across the street). As I looked out my back door, I could see a sheet of water across the backyard.

Here is a video tribute of the floods and what happened next.

The next day, my neighbors and I realized that our little town was cut off, the highway was ruined. The phone networks went down, even the water was cut off at one stage. There were dozens of truckies in the truckstop down the road, stranded.

All of Queensland suffered, an area the size of Texas flooded.

But it was then, that a ‘call to arms’ spread, what became known to some as the ‘mud army’ rose, some say up to a million volunteers (though it would be impossible to truly know the number), helping their neighbours, helping strangers, sharing what they have, giving what they can. I did my little bit, 10 or so hours shovelling mud out and moving furniture out of my new neighbour’s business, only stopping when the pain (from the surgery) got to the point that I could barely move. I went home, looked in the mirror and saw that I was covered in mud, my eyes were red, I was bruised and exhausted – but I was smiling.

A couple of days later, I went out again – this time, joining a group of people (who I met on facebook of all places) giving what we could to people in an evacuation centre in a hard hit town (that we could reach on the ruined highway) – we found it hard to get a parking space, as there were so many people coming in to help. One of the shirts that I gave went to an elderly gentlemen… he and his wife barely survived the devastation that as brought upon Grantham – the hardest hit community.

A week later, I started work at my new school.

When I left that town at the end of 2011 – I gave away all my furniture to some locals – and moved to where I am in central Queensland, in another town that was hard hit (80% under water), I came here with my clothes, books, a first aid kit and a shovel … just in case.

My motivation? There are 3 main things that upon reflection caused my willingness to help – first and foremost, everyone was needed, secondly, I was brought up to help when and where I can and finally, I have been given so many acts of kindness, just a few months earlier, I was seriously sick and people who I just met supported me and helped me get through a very dark time in my life.

My story is just one of so very many, of the million or so that lent a hand – I believe that the small acts of kindness performed by many many people did a lot in Queensland’s eventual recovery.

I just thought I would share that with you. Oh and I finished my Masters degree and got into the PhD program!

Sincerely,
A Queensland Resident