It’s simple the way life works. The more we love, the greater we are loved in returned. The more we give of ourselves, the more we receive in many different forms. When we touch another person with a simple act of kindness without expectation of return, our act of kindness ripples far out beyond the person we touched. The following short film beautifully illustrates the power of a simple act of kindness.
I Didn’t Ask For a Travel Brochure
Farlo, Tina, and Joey sat at a multi-tiled outside cafe table, behind a black wrought iron fence bordering Taco Heaven from passing pedestrian traffic. A skinny pole with the number 12 rose from the middle of the table and held an open umbrella. Farlo sipped from his iced tea. Tina, who wanted to sit at the table, was relegated to the cement under the table lapped water from a Styrofoam bowl. Joey stared at his corrugated cardboard box of kale, beets, spinach, edamame, cubes of butternut squash, and a small piece of broiled chicken. He sipped on a bottle of purified water at Taco Heaven.
Joey looked at Farlo, “I’m not eating this stuff. Who eats this stuff anyway?”
Farlo ignored him and flirted with a thirtyish tall woman, dressed in a business skirt and matching jacket who was talking on the phone. She winked at him and mouthed, “What’s your cell number?”
Joey said, “How’d you do that?”
The flirting scene was interrupted by a lanky, tattooed, male of Mexican descent who brought Farlo and Tina’s order to the table. He saw Farlo and said, “Hey man, what you doing here? I’m clean.”
Farlo looked up and said, “When did you get out, Pablo? Last I heard you were doing ten to twenty for armed robbery.”
“Man, the DA got it all wrong. I was using my finger which I had stuck in my coat. My public defender got my conviction tossed out after I spent six months in state.”
“I heard you had a gun in the back of your pants,” said Farlo.
“That’s beside the point. I wasn’t going to use it unless somebody who wasn’t supposed to show up showed up, you know what I mean. I know the legal intricacies of B & E. I’m thinking of becoming a lawyer if my public defender can get my record expunged.”
“You got a rap sheet longer than I-10, Pablo. Your P D has a lot a work,” said Farlo.
“That’s true, but most of it was before I was sixteen. Can I use you for a reference?” said Pablo.
Farlo took a long sip of his iced tea. He saw Pablo stare at Joey then at Joey’s corrugated box of veggies. “Don’t mind him, he’s in orientation. He’s still detoxing.”
“I feel sorry for you, man. Farlo’s a hard dude. I know.”
“Tell me about it,” said Joey.
“I don’t have time, I got other customers. Well, Farlo, you gonna be a reference?”
“I tell you what, I’ll be a great reference if you’ll give me great information on a little project I have in mind,” said Farlo.
“What’s the game?” asked Pablo.
“I want to break into the Patiently Insane Home on the west side,” said Farlo. His voice sounded like a freight train rumbling down the tracks.
“Man, that’s a tough place. They got security 24/7. They got guard dogs. They got cameras. The top of the wall around the place is covered with razor wire,” said Pablo.
“I didn’t ask you for a travel brochure. And, I’m not booking a vacation to Wichita. How do I get in?”
Pablo placed his right hand under his chin. He cupped his right elbow with his left hand. He tilted his head a bit to the left, and made believe he was thinking.
“Don’t try to bullshit me, Pablo. If you do, I’m going to grind your sorry ass into hamburger and feed it to the dogs,” snapped Farlo.
“Okay, okay I had to fake it a little in case somebody close by wants a favor. You know how negotiations go. Me and Taco broke in last month. Taco wanted the drugs. Me, I don’t do drugs, but I needed a wheel man. Me, I planned on going through the residents’ rooms and stealing the purses, wallets, jewelry and stuff.”
“I don’t want your autobiography. I want to get in, comprehende?
“Man, you are touchy. This guy with the salad a tough case? You want me to sic some of the gang on him?”
Joey looked up, “Hey, I’m eating my salad. I won’t complain anymore.”
Pablo bent low over the table. He motioned Farlo and Joey closer to him. He said, “Listen up. This is my plan. It works.”
Pablo explained the plan and left with Farlo’s promise of a great letter of recommendation.
Joey said, “I’m not going, we’ll get killed. Pablo’s nuts.”
Farlo said, “Pablo’s certifiable, we’ll probably get killed. We’re going tomorrow night.
What’s Pablo’s plan? Will they rescue Harry J? Who’s Filo?
See, Reflect, Decide
If you’re like me, you may make snap judgments. Sometimes, my judgments are right on target. More often than not, I wished I waited to learn more. I needed to hear the other person’s story. I needed, for a moment, to place myself in his or her shoes. It’s a humbling experience for me to know I was wrong. The following short video gives insights into the different possibilities that you or I might have with our first judgment. Enjoy
<p><a href=”https://vimeo.com/17970306″>Two Men</a> from <a href=”https://vimeo.com/dominicallen”>Dominic Allen</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>
If You Don’t Like The Rules – Ignore Them
Farlo, Tina, and Joey stood in front of the double doors to the Heavenly Happiness Assisted Care Facility. Joey read a paper sign posted on the door. “Check this out Farlo, we can’t go in. It says, no dogs. Only family members can visit. Don’t bring any food in. We check bags and purses. No guns allowed. Visiting hours are between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. That’s wrong, it should say, visiting hour. It’s ten o’clock, we’ll have to leave and come back at two. Are you family?”
Farlo stared through the glass window at the reception desk. He was staring at a matronly woman, with a beehive doo, wearing dark blue plastic framed glasses. She was playing solitaire on her computer. An old dude with a mobile pole with a urine sack and BP monitor was standing in front of her trying to get her attention.
Farlo turned to Joey, “Did you read page one oh one, paragraph seven in the manual?”
“What manual? I don’t have my manual? When am I going to get it? What does it say?” asked Joey.
“It says if you don’t like the rules, ignore them. I don’t like those rules. We’re going in, keep quiet, observe, and play nice. And, run like hell, if I tell you to,” said Farlo.
“What?”
Farlo didn’t answer. He opened the door, took a step inside and stopped. “I hate that smell. It smells worse than you do after your cardio.”
“You gonna start on me again?” whispered Joey.
“They’re no timeouts where you’re concerned,” said Farlo in a low gravelly voice.
The receptionist looked up, past the old dude with the mobile pole complete with urine sack and BP monitor. “Hey you, didn’t you read the sign, no dogs.”
Farlo turned his head down and toward Tina, “It’s okay Tina, the receptionist forgot to take her nice pills this morning.”
Farlo walked across the tiled floor and stood next to the old timer with mobile pole with the urine sack, and BP unit on it. “What’s happening old dude? You need some help?”
“Who the hell do you think you are coming in here and talking to our citizens without permission?” The matronly woman’s abundant breasts heaving with each uttered word. Her face now as red as an overripe tomato.
Farlo ignore her. He took hold of the old dude’s arm. He glanced at it, “What the hell are they shooting into your veins, old dude?”
“They won’t tell me. They said I gave away my life to my kids when they forced me to sign a power of attorney to them.”
“Hold on. How did they force you?”
“They wouldn’t give me a catheter so I keep peeing in the bed.”
Farlo turned to the receptionist, he looked at her ID name plate pinned just over her left breast, “Is it Beverly or should I call you Bev?” Farlo asked in a low husky voice.
“It’s none of your bleep business,” said the receptionist.
“I’ll accept that. Here’s my business, I want this old dude’s power of attorney rescinded within the hour. If it isn’t I’m going to shut this place down and have you and your manager tossed into jail.”
“You can’t do that?” said Beverly.
Joey spoke up, “Yes he can. If you bother him, he’ll call Filo.”
Farlo tossed a ‘what the hell are you doing’ look at Joey.
“No, no, no. Not Filo. I’m sorry. I was rude. How can I help you?”
“The old dude was first,” said Farlo.
“How can I help you, old dude?” said Beverly. Farlo was sure she didn’t know the old dude’s name.
“Can I switch rooms to have a garden view. I want the room where Harry lived.”
Farlo interrupted, “Harry J?”
“Yah, he was my best friend. They took him out in an ambulance about fifteen minutes ago. He was healthy as can be. I don’t know why he was in here.”
Farlo bent over the receptionist desk, he put his right hand on top of Beverly’s bee hive doo, and said, “Bev if you don’t tell me where they took Harry J I’m going to pull this bee hive off your head as well as the scalp it is attached to. Do you understand me?”
“Yah, and I’ll say he never touched you,” said Joey.
“Me too,” said the old dude.
Tina barked.
Beverly grimaced as turned off her solitaire game and pulled up an Excel spreadsheet. “Here it is, they took him to the Patiently Insane Home. It’s across town.”
Farlo looked at Tina, “Tina, if Bev calls ahead on us, show Bev what you’re going to do.”
Tina jaw opened into a menacing drool with her tongue hanging out. Her voice emitting a guttural growl.
“I, I won’t Tina. I promise.”
“Fist bump old dude. Here’s my card. It only has my name and a special number on it. If they don’t cancel the power of attorney in an hour call me. If they don’t move you, call me. If they give you any crap, call me.”
“Thanks, righteous dude,” said the old dude.
Back at the car, Joey behind the wheel. Farlo in the passenger seat, and Tina sprawled across the back seat. Joey said, “You like my move tossing Filo out?”
“You’re lucky I’m not reporting you for breach of security,” said Farlo.
“What breach of security.
“Section one, paragraph 3, page 4. You can’t use Filo’s name publically until you’ve past boot camp.”
“I’m still in boot camp?”
“Hell no. You haven’t started boot camp. You’ve been in orientation. I’m hungry, let’s go to Whole Foods so you can hit the salad bar.”
“Where are you going?” asked Joey.
“Me? I’m going to Taco Heaven. I can’t stand salad bars,” growled Farlo.
“For once, have some compassion,” asked Joey.
“What do you want to do, buy new love handles? Move out, kid.”
“Farlo, who’s Filo?”
Will Farlo, Tina, and Joey rescue Harry J? Who’s Filo? Come by tomorrow as the adventure continues.
Unleashing Our Potential
Hard work, concentrated effort, and a willingness to learn are three cornerstones to achieving our goals. When we apply them consistently we unleash our potential and open doors to what we may have once believed were locked. Go ahead, commit to hard work, concentrated effort and increase your learning curve. It will pay off in the end. The following 2 minute YouTube video will inspire you to apply all three principles over and again.
He’s Taking Selfies To Post On Tinder
Farlo’s riding a bicycle, Tina is running alongside him. Joey is running alongside Tina.
“How far are you going, Farlo? I think we’ve been running for a half hour,” said Joey.
“Wimp. The Kenyans run for hours. They’re running up mountains. They’re running down mountains. They run to the coast so they can run in the ocean. Take a hint from Tina, she’s not even breathing hard. Suck it up, kid,” said Farlo
“At least tell me more about our job. Who’s Harry J? Why do we have to rescue him? Is it dangerous? Can I decide after you answer these questions if I want to go?”
“You’re not cleared to know. Do I look like I know Harry J?”
Joey interrupted Farlo, “Does he spell his last name Jay?”
“No, it’s only a letter. Before you ask it, I don’t know what his last name is. Filo only give the amount of information he thinks necessary to accomplish the mission.”
“Doesn’t it bother you? It bothers me,” said Joey.
“You’ll never get ahead in the organization with that attitude.”
“I don’t want to get ahead in the organization. I want to see the lease agreement for the room you rented in my house,” said Joey.
“I can’t give it to you. I gave it to Filo.”
“Who’s Filo?”
“See that hill? Sprint up the hill. Tina and I will be waiting at the top with your electrolyte drink,” said Farlo pushing harder on the pedals and leaving Joey behind.
“Hey Farlo, this isn’t fair. You can downshift, I can’t,” Joey hollered to Farlo’s back.”
An hour later, Farlo, Tina, and Joey sit in Joey’s car in the parking lot of Heavenly Happiness Assisted Care Facility.
Farlo watched an ambulance wheel a patient in. Ten minutes later he watched an ambulance wheel a patient out. Five minutes later a hearse pulled up and two somber looking dudes ready for Halloween pushed a gurney inside. Joey, who now earned his smart phone back, was taking selfies. Tina was photo bombing Joey’s selfies.
Farlo glanced over at Joey, “Put that thing away. Get your head in the game. It’s almost go time.”
Joey looked over at Farlo, “I’m taking selfies to post on Tinder.”
“You’re not ready for dating. You’re heading for one disappointment after another.”
“You’re jealous because I have good looks and a great personality. The two things you wish you had, no offense intended,” said Joey snapping another selfie. Tina’s head resting on his shoulder.
“I think Tina being in my photos is going to help. The ladies like a guy with a dog. They figure if a guy can take care of a dog, he knows how to make a commitment.”
“Where’d you hear that crap,” snapped Farlo.
“I read it online on how to pick up women,” said Joey.
“What loser wrote that?” said Farlo.
“It was written by a bartender. You know bartenders give the best advice.”
Farlo’s left hand shot out like a bolt of lightning. He snagged Joey’s smart phone and stuck it in his pants’ pocket.
“What are you doing? I earned it back. Give it to me,” demanded Joey.
“You lost it for 48 hours.”
“Why?”
“Read the manual. It’s on page 73 paragraph 4,” said Farlo.
“But I don’t have the manual,” said Joey.
“Tough luck. We’re going in. Follow me,” Farlo got out the passenger side door. Tina jumped into the front seat and followed Farlo. Joey got out the driver’s side door and came around the car. He positioned himself to Farlo’s left side. Joey wanted proximity to the pocket that contained his smartphone.
“Don’t even think about it, you could lose a finger,” said Farlo as he started toward the door.
“Do I get credit for initiative?” asked Joey.
“No.”
“What are we going to do?”
“We’re going to rescue Harry J. No more questions.”
Will they rescue Harry J. from the assisted care facility? Who’s Filo? Why doesn’t Joey have a copy of the manual?
Commit To Pursuing The Dream
It’s time to take the dream off the shelf and set in front of us. It time to set aside everything that’s kept us from going after the dream we’ve talked about, dreamt about, and desired. It time to make the commitment to hold nothing back and to rest only when we have achieved our dream. Get Inspired with this YouTube video.
Dirty Socks Under the Bed?
“Rise and shine you rug rat. You’re snoozing, you’re losing,” Farlo’s command barked from the kitchen. Tina barked twice.
“Ready for inspection,” Joey said from the bedroom.
Farlo patted Tina on the head, smiled for a brief second, turned his smile into a growl, walked to Joey’s bedroom, opened the door, and said, “I’m kicking it up a notch this morning. I’ve been giving you the preschool to build your confidence.”
Joey said, “I’m ready for anything you can throw at me.”
Farlo touched Tina’s head, “Check under the bed for dirty socks, pot, amphetamines, hotdogs, sugary cereals, pizza, and Playboy magazines.”
Tina barked once, lowered herself to her belly and crawled under the bed. While Tina ferreted around under the bed, Farlo examined Joey. He looked at Joey’s Nike’s. They were clean. He checked Joey’s jeans. They were washed and ironed. He checked Joey’s t-shirt. It was clean and without lettering. He rubbed a forefinger along Joey’s cheek checking for stubble. It was smooth as a baby’s butt. Farlo said nothing. He walked around the bed, the teddy bear was gone. There was not a wrinkle on the bed. Tina emerged from under the bed. She had a dirty sock in her mouth.
“Aha, I knew it was too good to be true. What is this sock doing under your bed?” demanded Farlo.
“Resting or hiding from its mate,” said Joey without a trace of a smile.
“A smartass. Is that what I have on my hands,” asked Farlo.
“You know it. I lost fifteen pounds. I can do forty pushups, one hundred sit-ups, a plank for thirty seconds, and I can run two miles.”
“You think you’re hot shit, don’t you,” said Farlo.
“Matter of fact, I do,” said Joey.
“You think I’m going to let you eat that crap you like to eat just because you think you’re doing good. Well, here’s a news flash, you’re not. It’s off limits. It’s out of bounds. It’s contraband. What do you think of that?” asked Farlo sounding meaner than an angry pit bull.
“I gave it all up. I like eating healthy. It fits with my new self-image.’
“Which is what, poster child for save the dolphins? Snapped Farlo.
“I haven’t figured it out yet, but I’m not the old Joey, I’m me. You can call me Joe, or you can call me Joseph, but you can’t call me Joey.
“I’ll call you whatever I want to call you. If I tell you to eat crackers and spit bullets, you do it. If I tell you keep running into a brick wall until it crumbles, you do it. If I tell you to get me a pizza and you can’t have any you do it.”
“Hey, the last one’s not fair.
“Aha, I found your weak link. If you get taken prisoner, they’ll use it against you. They’ll put pizza just out of your reach to torment you. They’ll turn you into a sniveling, shriveling peace of old pepperoni and toss you in the garbage,” said Farlo.
Farlo heard a ding on his iWatch 3. He looked at it. He looked back at Joey, He said, “Eat up. We’re on a mission from Filo.”
Joey said, “A real mission? I’m really, really going on a real mission?”
“I hope you’re man enough.”
“What’s the assignment?”
“I’ll get the full dossier later, right now, all I know is we’re assigned to rescue Harry J before his execution.”
“It sounds dangerous,” said Joey.
“Make sure you have a living will ready before we take off. If you don’t I’m going to tell them to take you off life support even if you’re breathing, speaking coherently, and are fully aware of your surroundings.”
“You can’t do that because I’ll tell them you can’t do that to me.”
“Remember those thirty papers you signed yesterday and got tired of reading them halfway through?” asked Farlo.
“Yes?” Joes now letting anxiety creep into his voice.
“Your last signature gave me power of attorney over your entire life.”
“I’m telling Filo.”
The fab twosome are on their first real assignment – will they survive? Who are they going to rescue? Why did Filo give them the assignment? Who’s Filo?
The Greater The Challenge – The Greater The Courage
What would you do if you were perfectly healthy and the next moment, doctors told you you’d never walk again? Would you give up? Would you RSVP to a pity party? In the following video you’ll see a man confronted with this challenge. decided to help others and has become an inspiration to others. Get Inspired.
Bouncing Back Trailer from Lifetree on Vimeo.
The Dogs Been Grilling for 24 Hours
Farlo hobbled around the car, Tina followed him. He opened Joey’s door before Joey thought to lock it. Farlo bent over and leaned in going eyeball to eyeball with Joey. “We can do this hard way or we can do this really, really hard way. What way do you want it?”
“Can you accept the voluntary way?” said Joey hoping Farlo didn’t whack him.
“We got two minutes and counting. We won’t have this chance for a week. Are you coming voluntarily or am I going to drag your sorry butt across the parking lot?”
“I said I was volunteering. You make too many snap judgments,” said Joey. He unbuckled his seat belt. He slid out of his seat and stood up outside the car.
Joey said, “I’m going, but under protest. I intend to file a grievance with Filo whenever I meet him.”
“You’re not cleared to meet him. Let’s go. It’s go time,” snapped Farlo half hobbling with his cane, half jogging. Tina walked along side Farlo. Joey walked alongside Tina.
They reached the entrance door to the 7-Eleven. Farlo held up his hand for Joey to stop. He stared inside. The clerk nervously stood behind the counter. The taller of the two men was in the back of the 7-Eleven near the cold beer. The shorter of the two was surveying the candy and gum section.
Joey said, “You think they’re going to rob this place? Call 911 and let’s get out of here.”
Farlo looked at Joey, and said, “Turn around.”
Joey did as Farlo asked.
“Just as I thought, no backbone,” said Farlo then he checked his Apple 3 watch. “We’ve got 45 seconds. Then we’re going in. You follow me. I know you don’t have my back. Tina does.”
“Who has my back?” asked Joey.
At that moment, two pickups, a motorcycle, a beat-up Chevy Malibu, and a college kid on a skateboard came into the parking lot. Farlo turned and took it all in. He looked at Joey, “The numbers are against us. If we don’t move now, we don’t have a chance. Listen up kid, this is your first test, you pass it, I’ll make a note on your weekly evaluation I text to Filo.”
Before Joey could say, “Who’s Filo?” Farlo pushed open the door and headed toward the back. The clerk dived to the floor behind the counter. Tina was on Farlo’s heels. Joey was thinking about diving over the counter and joining the clerk. Farlo reached the back aisle when the 7-Eleven door opened for another customer. He turned to his right, he exclaimed, “I made it. We’re first in line. The dogs have been grilling for twenty-four hours.” Tina barked.
The tall guy fell in line behind Joey, the short guy fell in line behind the tall guy. The first pickup driver fell in line behind the short guy. The second pickup driver fell in line behind the first pickup driver. The skateboard college kid fell in the line behind the second pickup truck driver. As for the beat-up Chevy Malibu driver, he headed to the men’s room.
The tall guy said, “I didn’t know you were in town, Farlo. What are you doing here?”
Farlo turned around, three dogs in one hand, each one in a soft hot bun. Two of dogs with relish and mustard, The third with mustard only, Filo gave the other two to Tina, who finished them within seven point four seconds. A good time, not her personal best. She wanted to enjoy the taste.
Filo looked at the tall “Son of a gun, I didn’t recognize you, Flakes. You lost weight.How they hanging?”
“Thanks for noticing. I’m down ten pounds on my all dog diet.”
Joey stared at Farlo, then he stared at Flakes. Then he stared at the little guy. Farlo turned toward Joey, “Get three dogs for Tina, none for you. You haven’t earned them.”
“What? This is not fair. I love 7-Eleven grilled for 24-hours hotdogs. They got the perfect combination of wrinkles, nitrates, chemicals, and meat waste products. They’re always sold out when I try to get one.”
“Tough noogies,” said Farlo.
Flakes said, “The punk’s got a lot to learn, Farlo.”
The short guy came around with his Snicker’s candy bar, “Hey Farlo, waz happening?”
“Bones, what’s shakin?” said Farlo.
“A little bit of this, a lot of dat. Who’s da baby?”
Farlo said, “He’s my reclamation project, his name is Joey.”
“What a minute. I’m not a baby. I’m not a punk. I’m a dude.”
“Dat’s a baby’s name. You don’t got no street name? How you gonna have street cred? How you gonna run with the big dog here?” said Bones.
“I don’t need street cred. I already got it,” said Joey.
“The only thing you probably got is a GI Joe you hide under your pillow,” said Flakes. Flakes and Bones high fived.
“Do not,” said Joey.
Farlo said, “No, he doesn’t have a GI Joe. He has a stuffed bear on his pillow.”
A fist bump, a high five, and several minutes of laughter later, Farlo said, “You boys take care of the job Filo sent you on? It was a rough one.”
“Filo’s the man, Farlo. I don’t know what he doesn’t know. What I want to know is how does a guy his age have all the women chasing after him. You know da answer?”
“I do, Bones, but it’s classified. You and Flakes got a class five security clearance, you need a class twenty. There are only two people who got it,” said Farlo.
“Who? And, BTW, the name is Joe-mo,” said Joey.
“Dat da best you can do? They gonna eat you up when Farlo has you fly solo,” said Bones.
“I’m working on it,” said Joey.
Farlo said, “The two people with security clearance twenty? Filo and me.”
“Who’s Filo? When do I get to meet him? Can I see the company manual? I want to read the grievance process,” said Joey or Joe-mo.
Farlo shook his head, took a bite of hotdog, fed the rest to Tina. He fist bumped Bones and Flakes. Then he said, “Joey, take the hotdog out of your pocket and give it to Tina.”
Who’s Filo? Who does Farlo work for? Is it a secret government agency? What kind of job did Flakes and Bones do?
