The world is going through some unprecedented challenging times. Global psychologies are shifting, and pressures are mounting at home and at work for a lot of people.

So, my role as a leadership and personal development expert and author (The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, Greatness Guide, among others) is to help manage change and turbulence for my clients, to reconnect them with the basic fundamentals, and to remind them that it’s often in these times of crisis that opportunities abound for personal and professional growth. I coach them along my Lead Without Title (LWT) philosophy – that leadership naturally resides within all of us, and is independent of any professional or social title. And I truly believe that it is in these times that one must break through their fears, and lead the pack.

That’s why, in conjunction with DailyChallenge, we’ve decided to challenge YOU to break through some of your fears, and share it with the world. The winner of this contest will win a free ticket to my exclusive Awakening Best Self Weekend, held this June 5-7 north of Toronto, Canada. The ABS Weekend is my premiere, and ONLY, personal development workshop of 2009, and people from all over the world will be attending. These 2.5 days with me will take your career and life to a whole new level of success and happiness! For more information on The ABS Weekend, please click here.

To participate in the contest, simply click here and follow the simple directions. And as a bonus for participating in this contest, I want to give you, for FREE, my latest documentary “Two Days in NYC”. Simply input your name and email address where asked (http://www.robinsharma.com/dc-abs) and I’ll give you the free download. This contest is video-based, and requires a video submission to be considered for The ABS Weekend grand prize.

I know many might be scared off with shooting their own video, and sharing it with everyone. But that’s the thing, everyone needs to break through, be bold, and lead the pack! Fancy editing, graphics, and music is not required – in fact I’d probably prefer otherwise. So start shooting, be raw and original. Can’t wait to see everyone’s great work!

The good news never ends and lucky for us or we’d run out of material to share with you in our weekly Good News Report. Today’s report covers a super healthy and flexible 83-year-old granny, a man who treats his mugger to a meal and little girl who gets mail from God!

Good News Links For May 15, 2009:

1. Supergran proves yoga keeps you young and fit. (Source: Mail Online)
2. God lives in the post office. (Source: Dog News Daily)
3. Digital Samaritans crop up on the Net. (Source: The New York Times)
4. Man takes his mugger out to lunch and gets his wallet back! (Source: StoryCorps)
5. Couple and community creates a fun beach program for inter-city kids. (Source: Reader’s Digest)

To share your feel-good stories, email us at goodnews {at} dailychallenge {dot} org.

For those of you just joining us in this guest post series, we’re talking about the power of giving. Do Gooder, motivational specialist and movie enthusiast, Emmanuel Lopez, shares with us his favourite movies that inspire giving.

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

4) Evan Almighty 2007

This comedy starring Steve Carell has a great message about changing the world one act of random kindness at a time. The other powerful messages in this movie may also inspire you to have better relationships in your life.

5) Ghost Town 2008

Ricky Gervais’s character is a self-centered, selfish, people-hating dentist who is forced to change after a near-death experience. You get to see how he becomes a more thoughtful human being when he starts to help the spirits of dead people find closure with loved ones they left behind.

6) Groundhog Day 1993

This is one of my top favourite movies and it’s about Bill Murray’s character who starts off as a self-absorbed, thoughtless weather reporter who is magically forced to live the same day over and over again. The only way he can break free of this pattern is to change his mindset, think of others first and commit random acts of kindness.

Let these movies help you visualize how you can give to someone today! And see next blog post for more movie descriptions from films that show the power of giving.

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

Come back to the Do Gooder Daily one week from today for Part 4 of 15 Inspiring Movies About Giving.

When Dee Turner, Do Gooder and friend, forwarded us this video of a sing-along and said it was perfect for the Do Gooder Daily, I was skeptical. But I was so wrong! I couldn’t help but feel the positive vibe and sense of community, and the song’s so good I caught myself singing, too!

If you want a little pick-me-up today, check out this 4 minute video of people gathered at Trafalger Square singing “Hey Jude” by the Beetles, shot two weeks ago on April 30:

Thanks for this inspiring video, Dee!

Who wants to hear some good news? Who doesn’t?! The news with a positive twist always lifts me up, just like inspiring movies about giving make me want to give! That’s why I love researching and writing these weekly Good News Reports.

Here in the 7th installment, we give you an example of technology, as well as a bank and student, doing good. There’s also a heart-tugging story on birthdays for homeless children and a book review that may help you change the world in a very specific way.

Good News Links For May 8, 2009:

1. Charity focuses on celebrating the birth of homeless children. (Source: boston.com)
2. A bank who does good - and is succeeding because of it! (Source: reuters.com)
3. Technology helps increase the quality of life for a turtle. (Source: msn.com)
4. Eckhart Tolle suggests we can contribute to the world by practising peace. (Source: odemagazine.com)
5. Twenty-four year old buys African orphanage. (Source: thesun.co.uk)

To share your feel-good stories, email us at goodnews {at} dailychallenge {dot} org.

Last week, we introduced fellow Do Gooder, Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman, and his thoughts on the power of giving. He has an exceptional gift for recognizing inspiring messages in movies and shared with us his list of films that illustrate the power of giving. The next 5 posts explain why these movies made the cut.

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

1) As Good As It Gets 1997

This movie shows how Jack Nicholson’s cranky, people-hating character transforms into showing more kindness and giving. It starts when he is forced to care for his neighbour’s dog who he hates at first but later opens his heart to and others around him.

2) Bed of Roses 1996

There’s an inspiring scene where Christian Slater’s character, a florist, demonstrates how great he feels to see someone’s face light up when they receive the flowers he is delivering.

3) Bicentennial Man 1999

Robin Williams’s character is an android programmed to serve others. His programming reveals that he is extra special and has a strong drive for self-improvement. This leads to amazing inventions that serve the human race in extending people’s lives.

Let these movies help you visualize how you can give to someone today! And see next blog post for 3 more movies that invoke the power of giving.

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

Come back to the Do Gooder Daily one week from today for Part 3 of 15 Inspiring Movies About Giving.

What do you love to do? What do you do well? Is there some way you can fuel your passions and contribute to the world at large?

If you doubt yourself, try watching this inspiring and motivating 3 minute video from 2007, Stir Your World:

It’s Friiiiiday! And also May Day, which marks the end of the uncomfortable wintery half of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. So why don’t we celebrate the warmer seasons and the beginning of a new month with a little good news (like we need a reason to hear good news ;)?

In today’s report, you’ll find Do Gooders using pedals to clean up their town, Craigslist to help people in need and a formally abused dog who has become a surrogate mom to several different species of baby animals.

Good News Links For May 1, 2009:

1. Pedal People Put the Cycling in Recycling. (Source: Yes Magazine)
2. Pittsburgh Do Gooder takes a ‘Pay it Forward’ weekend trip to Chicago using Craigslist to find 5 people in need. (Source: The Windy Citizen)
3. Jasmine, an abused Greyhound, welcomes and nurtures new animals to sanctuary, from pups to chicks and even a fawn! (Source: HelpOthers.org)
4. Woman opens home and feeds town on a weekly basis, caters local fundraisers and events, too. (Source: IndyWeek.com)
5. Five stories of kids helping kids, some with parental guidance and some who influence their parents to Do Good. (Source: Reader’s Digest)

To share your feel-good stories, email us at goodnews {at} dailychallenge {dot} org.

Almost 1 month after Pay it Backward Day and many of us still glow in the rosy aftermath of that event. Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman, fellow Do Gooder and friend, was there and pointed out there are many great movies about the power of giving. This post is part 1 of Emmanuel’s 6 part series on movies that inspire giving.

When you practice the power of giving your whole world will change. It’s about understanding that positive energy can flow from person to person. So when you give something of yourself to others you become part of a flow of energy that can energize you as well.

The book “How Full Is Your Bucket?” by Tom Rath and Donald Clifton is all about the power of giving. It’s based on the theory that everyone has an invisible bucket that fills or empties with every social interaction. So you are either energized or depleted with every person you encounter during your day.

Focus on energizing others and filling their bucket whenever you can. Give a compliment to a stranger, say thank you or acknowledge them in a kind way. Think about how you can make someone’s day. And when you least expect it you’ll feel a rush of energy because your bucket will be filled from the appreciative smile you’ll get in return!

Many movies demonstrate the power of giving. Here is a list of 15 favourite movies of mine that can inspire you to be a more thoughtful, altruistic person:

1. As Good As It Gets 1997
2. Bed of Roses 1996
3. Bicentennial Man 1999
4. Evan Almighty 2007
5. Ghost Town 2008
6. Groundhog Day 1993
7. Meet John Doe 1941
8. Millions 2004
9. Mr. Deeds Goes To Town 1936
10. Ocean’s 13 2007
11. Pay It Forward 2000
12. Peaceful Warrior 2006
13. The Shawshank Redemption 1994
14. The Ultimate Gift 2006
15. Yes Man 2008

In the next 5 blog posts I will write why each of these movies will inspire you. And if you have a favourite movie that motivates you to give, please let me know!

Emmanuel Lopez a.k.a. 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

Come back to the Do Gooder Daily one week from today for Part 2 of 15 Inspiring Movies About Giving.

A truly moving short film, “Chicken a la Carte” by Ferdinand Dimadura grabbed the honour of “Most Popular Short Film” in a 2006 competition between of 3,600 filmmakers. The film aptly depicts the difference between the lives of the weathly and poor.

While the beginning is slow, your patience will pay off. The short is a total of 6 minutes and it will break your heart: