AOK Cards taking over the lives of our newest interns
AOK Cards
taking over the lives of our newest interns
When I found out I was going to be the newest intern at Life Vest Inside I was so excited. I’ve heard about Life Vest Inside in the past but I was not even close to correct with any of my assumptions until I met Orly Wahba, the CEO and founder of Life Vest Inside. I thought I knew what LVI was from friends and family in my community, a non -profit organization with the main objective to spread kindness. It wasn’t until I met Orly and spoke to her did I realize how much more there was to LVI. Not only does it involve spreading kindness all over the world and advocating people to do good deeds. It also helps empower those who participate to improve their growth and self -confidence. The way that Orly spoke about LVI with such passion and enthusiasm made me fall in love with LVI and even more excited to work! Orly handed me a stack of cards called Act Of Kindness Cards, I didn’t realize then, but I would always be carrying these around with me. My wallet now consisted of credit cards and AOK cards! “Hand these out to people you encounter! Help spread the kindness.” I was given ten cards to start off with and I started to think of different scenarios in which I could give out these cards to spread the kindness. There was no point in looking for these situations, because they just come at you, unexpected yet nevertheless meaningful! My first encounter was actually that night- I was going to fix my phone at my local cell phone store. It was a long wait and all I wanted to do was get home already, I started to envision the delicious foodwaiting for me on my kitchen counter. The man working behind the desk informed me it would be another fifteen minutes, after sitting in silence for all this time I decided to start up conversation. The conversation was awkward at first but I realized everyone loves to talk, so once you ease the tension it all unfolds from there! We started to talk, and really talk, something I learnt from my first day was to try to be as engaged in the conversation as possible. I decided to do something with all the kindness motivation I got that day after being in the LVI office. I whipped out one of my AOK card like a pro and handed it to him. It was the best feeling seeing his lips curve upward into a smile. I felt empowered, he felt good and suddenly that awkward tense air in the store turned into positivity. The card read: “Say “please” & “thank you” today and really mean it! There is a reason they are called the magic words!” He started to laugh and asked me what it was. I went into a full explanation of LVI and didn’t hesitate when he asked for more. I felt like I completed a mission, I started to wonder where the AOK cards would travel to next…. "You will get these back," he promised me. Yeah, I thought, I probably will. Kindness and empowerment makes a full 360, like a boomerang, always coming back to that time you acted on a little thought that made a difference.
Testimonial 13
“Orly and her vision is far beyond any technical “to do” list. What she is actually doing is making us realize that being kind is not a day or two day task, it’s not just opening a door for someone and saying I was kind. Being kind is holding a door for someone again and again, even if you don’t have a card in your hand. I can’t tell you how many amazing people I met because of this organization. You become a magnet for good people!” – Ira Ghosh, Pune, India
Testimonial 12
“Whenever I see people showing kindness, I always remember the LVI video. My passion for sharing kindness and love was ignited by that video. LVI has really made a big impact in my life and that I continue to live having a “life vest inside.” – Bless faith Santonia, Naga City, Philippines
Testimonial 11
“After I saw Kindness Boomerang a few years ago Life Vest Inside inspired me to notice and practice conscious kindness until it becomes a way of life. I wanted to act on opportunities to be kind, even outside my comfort zone. Through Life Vest Inside I’ve learned if we remember to celebrate the good and act with kindness we change the world.” – Jewel Fries, Saskatchewan, Canada
Testimonial 10
“This family has changed my life in ways that may be hard to understand. I finally feel like I have found a whole group of people who understand the deepest part of my heart. They encourage me to continue my day to day journey and recognized something within myself that even I haven’t fully recognized yet.” – Rosie Hendrix CA, USA
Testimonial 9
“LVI encompasses so much of how I want to live my life and how I would like the world to operate. LVI motivates me to live the quote “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” The positive stories from others, the support and the general good feeling from the group impact me.” – Jamie Emmons Denver, USA
Testiomonial 8
“You taught me to be kind and loving. You taught me how to find inner peace. You taught me to forgive people. You saved a life. You changed someone’s life story. You opened the gates to a better future for a human being. You made me happy again. What I learned from you, I am giving to others. I’m just one out of many thousands of your followers. Imagine how many lives you have changed. You may not have changed the world, but you’ve changed my world!” – Frederick Kunst, Denmark
Testimonial 19
“As a veteran teacher in the North Pocono School District, I have had the privilege of participating in many school assemblies. Through the years, we take bits and pieces of the noteworthy school assemblies which offer our student body with positive advice and our staff-inspiration. It’s not surprising that Orly Wahba was chosen for a TED talk presentation because she is THAT good! Her message is clear, and she covers so much ground. Addressing topics including bullying, depression, addiction, and self-worth, she comes from a place of positive. Using her own life as the scaffold for her message, she connects with each individual person in the room while addressing the entire auditorium of listeners. I am one to get “teary” during school assemblies (usually while hearing an incredibly sentimental song that connects with memory). Orly touched my heart AND soul. There’s a song by Jewel called “Hands” that is always a reminder that “In the end, only kindness matters.” It is a message that I - like many of my colleagues- value. Having Orly reinforce this message with such clarity, personality, authenticity, and passion reminds us that positive energy and care should never be pushed aside. In a world where we are surrounded by messages of negativity, hopelessness, and dread- Orly reminds us to see goodness every day. Her film, Kindness Boomerang, reflects the light of her message. One person can make a difference each day in this world. And when one chooses authentic kindness, it is a boomerang that eventually returns. Understanding that meaningfulness is at the heart of important endeavors, I thank you, Orly, for reminding us about what really matters in order to make a difference in this extraordinary world we call home.”
Christine Sepkowski, 6th grade English teacher, North Pocono School District
Testimonial 23
“In addition to custom tailoring a presentation to the age group, keen professionalism, and outstanding presentation skills, Orly Wahba brings with her an incredible warmth and tenderness coupled with vulnerability that is unique in public speakers. She truly connects with the audience, and as one student said: “She made me feel like she was there to talk to me, specifically, like I really mattered in the large sea of 250 other kids.”
UNIS, Erin Michelle Threlfall Director of Service Learning
Testimonial 18
“Orly is a remarkable individual and I loved her speech and delivery. As I sat listening to Orly and seeing her presence on the stage, she reminded me of Tony Robbins. The raw voice, the passion and the inspirational message was pure magic! Mark my words, Orly is going to be one of the best and well sort-after speakers in the industry.”
Dr Tererai Trent, Scholar, Humanitarian, Author and Oprah's All-Time Favorite Guest
Testimonial 17
“Orly's presentation was an amazing experience of encountering the power of kindness – both a way to do good in the world and at the same time as a powerful way to empower oneself. It was truly uplifting.”
Yehuda Stolov, Executive Director Interfaith-Encounter
Testimonial 16
“Orly was magical! The students truly enjoyed Orly’s youthful energy and really absorbed the importance of KINDNESS. Her passionate message motivated and inspired students to go back to their schools and DO GOOD THINGS!”
Stuart Muszynski, Project Love
Testimonial 15
“Orly's presentation at our event was phenomenal. She tenderly tells the tale of her past, guiding you through the peaks and valleys of her life. Her journey is an inspiration and you cannot help but be motivated. Her simple mantra of "spread kindness" makes her goal of changing the world seem not only possible but inevitable.”
Chem Rx Pharmacy Services, LLC
Testimonial 14
"Wow! Orly's presentation was truly inspirational! I heard only positive responses from the teachers as well as the students. One teacher commented on Orly's feeling in the Resource Room, something we don't often talk about. It was a very valuable insight that many kids can relate to. I'm thankful for people like Orly and Lou who have the conviction to stand up and show us - We CAN make a difference. Now that we know this we WILL make a difference!"
Frankford School
Testimonial 13
“Orly was dynamic. The students loved her and her message was very positive. She stayed and participated in the program way, way beyond what was asked or expected. This was appreciated by the students and staff.”
SAR Academy
Testimonial 12
"Orly Wahba is an angel that is making a difference, one person at a time all over the country and for that matter all over the world. Orly has found her calling as she has started a kindness revolution at a time we need it most in our society!"
Gordon A Uehling III, CourtSense