After Michael Jackson abruptly passed away this summer, millions of people spoke out in memory of one of history’s most incredible song artists and performers. In honor of the late MJ’s recent birthday on August 29, I’d like to share with you one of the coolest ‘memorials’ that I’ve come across… (Thanks Dee for the tip)!

On July 8th, people in Stockholm paid their tribute to the King of Pop in their own unique - and might I say, AWESOME - way!

On the afternoon of the 8th, over 300 dancers gathered at 3:30 pm to learn the choreography for Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’ in less than half an hour. A few short moments later, they were spontaneously performing in a crowded city square in Stockholm, to the delight of thousands of unsuspecting passersby. The effect was…enormous.

Peep the video on YouTube here!

‘Seconds’ anyone?

Apparently we served up a pretty nice Pay It Backward Day. Ah yes, it’s a beautiful thing… as it seems we successfully whet the appetite of Torontonian Do-Gooders with our record-breaking pibTO this past April 4th. Ever since we broke the world record for coffee acts of kindness at a local Second Cup café and donated 100% of the proceeds to SickKids Hospital, the community’s demand for more ‘good’ events has been exponential.

Whether it’s via tweets, blog posts, or the ever-so-traditional email, we have heard your cry for another opportunity to do some good in your ‘hood’. And so, this September 30th, we present you with Pay It Backward Day 2.0! Bring your party hats, because it’s going to be a good time!

Alongside our amazing sponsors, Second Cup and Silk Soy Beverage, we invite Do Gooders across Ontario to join us on Sept. 30th at any participating Second Cup location to “pay it backward” by buying the order for the person behind them in line. Every time this happens, our sponsors will donate $5* to SickKids Foundation! We’re shooting for the stars here - hoping to inspire 2,000 acts of “coffee kindness” in order to raise $10,000 for SickKids Foundation in a single day!

So, the moral of the story? Help us make a BIG impact for SickKids through small acts of kindness by visiting a participating Second Cup on September 30th and offering to ‘pay it backward.’

Be on the lookout for the launch of www.dailychallenge.org/pib, where you’ll be able to find out more information about the initiative and JOIN THE MOVEMENT!

*Up to a maximum of $5000 per sponsor

I Choose Love, how ’bout you?

Okay, so I know it’s a bit early to start going all ‘lovey dovey’ on you - as that glorious February 14th date is still a bit far off. But hey, guess what? Valentine’s Day isn’t the only day that there’s room in the air - or, in the blogosphere for that matter -  for love to float around. And thank goodness for that…or 364 days of the year would be bad news bears.

Anywho, a special thanks to Stephanie Miller of livelighter for introducing Daily Challenge to I Choose Love, an inspirational video that simply begs the rhetorical question, “I choose love. What do you choose?”  As I watched it, I felt lulled into a sense of humbled self-reflection. Yes, this video provides its viewers with a refreshing and motivating perspective on the world - helping us to, well…choose to love in the midst of what can seem like a crazy, mixed-up life at times. Definitely a message worth spreading 365 days a year.

If you’re looking for something to propel you through that ‘hump day’ afternoon lull at the office, I highly suggest that you check out this video or pay a visit to the I Choose Love website to learn more about this thought-provoking movement.

Enjoy - and keep checkin’ in for more good news from the Do Gooder Daily! Cheers to loveeeeee!

Hey guys, I’ve got a quick question for ya. On a scale from 1-10, just how familiar are you with the refugee crisis and human rights issues facing North Korea?

I, sadly, was but a lowly 1.2…for real. That is, until I stumbled across LiNK, a beautiful site devoted to educating people (such as myself) about these hugely important issues. This website, dedicated to putting an end to these crises, provides background on humanitarian and refugee issues as well as information about LiNK’s programs at both home and abroad to aid North Korean people.

The September LiNK will send four teams of “nomads” to travel the US and Canada to raise awareness of the North Korean refugee crisis. These nomads will show a 50-minute documentary called the “Seoul Train” - catchy, eh? This documentary will follow 3 groups of refugees escaping to China through the “modern day underground railroad.” Should be pretty neato!

A little birdie tells me that the LiNK team is currently looking to book as many venues as possible to show this powerfully informative documentary, as well as recruit tons of viewers so they can spread their message far and wide! So, in the spirit of Daily Challenge… I challenge you to view the Seoul Train Trailer and consider either hosting a screening event or attending one yourself!

Have an amazing weekend, good people!

We’ve always said it’s never too early to start changing the world! And today, Joshua Bayer - an eight year old native of La Plata, Maryland - is showing us just that.

Joshua is a big-time animal lover. In fact, his entire family is, as they have  a total of 4 pets: 3 dogs and 1 cat. That’s why it shook him to the core when he ‘googled’ and found out that more than 3,000 dogs are dying a year from either not being adopted or dying on the streets.

Taking matters upon himself, Joshua has recently written and illustrated a book entitled “M-M-M-Monster!!!” to raise money for animal rescue efforts. The book will be sold for $10 a pop and - as per Joshua’s request - the proceeds being equally divided between Whipkey’s group, the Charles County Humane Society, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

To read more about this amazing little Do-Gooder and his efforts to boost animal rescue efforts, please check out this article from DailyGood.org!

Well, it looks like the people in London are onto a little something when it comes to random acts of kindness…

Recently, a group of 20 former pickpocketers have turned over a new leaf in the name of ‘brightening up people’s lives in unusual ways.’  Yep, as a kind alternative to their usual hobby, they have begun practicing the art of ‘putpocketing’ all over London’s tourist hotspots!

What does it all mean? Well, throughout the end of August, this band of do-gooding Londoners will be taking part in an initiative that requires them to casually slip anywhere from 5 pounds to 20 pound notes INTO the pockets of unsuspecting passersby.  The initiative, funded by a broadband provider, is scheduled to rollout country-wide and give away nearly 100,000 pounds worth of putpocketing.  Not too shabby, eh?

To read more about this pretty AWESOME initiative, click here.

On Thursday, June 18, Julian Brass and the Notable team are organizing a massive gathering at Yonge and Dundas square in Toronto to support this year’s National Kids Cancer Ride. Taking advantage of New York Fries’ donation day – where $1 of every regular fries or meal sold will go directly towards the ride – supporters of the cause will purchase fries at either of New York Fries’ two Eaton Centre locations and gather at the square for a great altruistic networking event.  If you’re unavailable to make it to the meet-up the contributions are happening at New York Fries locations the city.

“We want to create the biggest fry meet-up the city has ever seen,” says Brass of the event. “This fun networking event will lead to hundreds of dollars going to support kids living with cancer, thanks to New York Fries’ donation day.”

The goal is to have over 600 people attend tomorrow’s event, so indulge in some fries tomorrow after work and invite all your friends!

The plan is as follows:

5-6pm: Jack Astors in Toronto Life Square is hosting a young professional happy hour which is sponsored by Corona; free Corona upon arrival!

6-6:15pm: Meet at Dundas Square and together as a massive group go to the Eaton center and get some New York Fries. There will be some Notable TV/ New York Fries ambassadors (wearing Gold and Brown referee-like uniforms) helping to direct everyone to 1 of 2 NY Fries locations.

6:30-7:30pm: Head back to Dundas Square to enjoy some delicious New York Fries, shmooze, network and of course … CELEBRATE!!!

RAIN PLAN: There are 2 New York Fries locations in the Eaton Center - one in each food court, at the Queen Street south end and at the Dundas St. north end. If it’s raining out, just meet at one of these two locations.

Please click here for more info and times.

Have you watched some of the movies that Daily Challenge member, Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman, has suggested in his guest post series? We have and we thank him for directing us to these stimulating reminders of how powerful giving can be.

Here are the final 3 films from my list of 15 movies to inspire you to be a more thoughtful, altruistic person:

13) The Shawshank Redemption 1994

There is a scene in this film where Tim Robbins’s character makes a deal with a prison guard that surprises his fellow inmates. While tarring a roof on a hot day he helps the prison guard with his financial advice in return for just a few cold beers for his work crew. While his crew drinks happily we see Robbins’s character just smiling blissfully.

14) The Ultimate Gift 2006

This movie is chock full of motivational messages about an irresponsible, spoiled young man who must accomplish a series of video taped tasks in order to receive his inheritance. With each task, he learns the true nature of being a thoughtful, altruistic human being.

15) Yes Man 2008

This movie stars Jim Carrey and is based on a true story where a man spent a whole year saying yes to everything. The lesson Carrey learns is that by acknowledging and giving whatever he has to total strangers, great abundance comes back to him in unexpected ways.

I hope you enjoyed reading this list of 15 movies that can motivate you to be a better person. Watching your favourite movies over and over again is a great way to build a more generous and thoughtful mindset.

And the rewards for giving to others can transform your soul and enrich your spirit! In the end you’ll feel good for taking the time to make others feel good!

See Part 1 for complete list of movies

Emmanuel Lopez aka Motivatorman is an award-winning illustrator, recording artist and motivational specialist. The Washington Post has featured his blog as a recommended resource for motivational tips and inspiring movie examples. Emmanuel offers empowering keynotes and seminars to organizations to help build optimistic mindsets during the current economic challenges. More info: www.motivatorman.com

Although it’s 17 years old, the message hasn’t changed. Severn Suzuki speaks on behalf of the world, especially for those with no voice.

She represents E.C.O., the Environmental Children’s Organization, a group of Canadian 12-13 year olds trying to make a difference. In 1992, Vanessa Suttie, Morgan Geisler, Michelle Quigg and Severn traveled 5,000 miles to emplore the United Nations for change.

She says, “I am only a child yet I know that we are all part of a family,  5 billion strong, in fact 30 million species strong. And borders and governments will never change that. I am only a child yet I know we are all in this together and should act as one single world towards one single goal.”

If you want your heart strings tugged and your sense of responsibility emboldened, watch Severn Suzuki speak to the United Nations in this 6:30 minute video:

Please pass this on and keep the message strong and clear!

Congratulations goes out to long time DailyChallenge.org Do Gooder Tiffany Strobel of Toronto, Ontario for winning the Robin Sharma Video Contest. Tiffany’s prize is a full access pass ticket to Robin Sharma’s Awakening Best Self Weekend, This June 5-7! (valued at $1495.00)

For more information on Robin Sharma and his Leadership Institute Click Here

Here is a summary of what Tiffany can expect from the event:

This revolutionary 2.5 day program, set in an intimate setting, will provide you with the skills necessary to reach your highest potential, see the world in a new light, inspire you to take immediate action.

* Discover how to recognize challenges as opportunities for wealth creation and rich relationships
* Learn strategies for happiness, personal and professional success
* Discover how thoughts and belief impact success and how to turn this to your advantage
* Break through barriers and limitations
* Discover your passions and a deep sense of purpose
* Have more fun and achieve health and inner wealth

Thank you to everyone who participated and completed the challenge, and for your hard work!