I have been neglectful

I'm sorry Good Signs, I have been crazy busy and have just found my breath! Between finals and projects and being sick with a 102* fever, I haven't been able to keep up with much. But, this has not kept me from keeping my eye out for good signs.

I recently flew home to Chicago to visit my family for the holidays, and across the aisle from my seat was an elderly couple that were both flying for the first time. I couldn't help but watch them soak in all the information the flight attendants go through in the beginning of the flight... Where the emergency exits are, how to put on the oxygen mask, etc. They were precious.

I also couldn't help but over hear why they decided to fly in the first place. Their youngest daughter had just had a baby, her first, and the baby was not doing well. The couple was surprising their daughter for the holidays, coming back to Illinois for the first time in over ten years.

After we had landed and were all bundling up, grabbing our bags and impatiently waiting for the doors to open, I looked at the couple and wished them the best for their trip and their daughter. The elderly man looked me in the eye and took my hand and said, "There is nothing like kindness from a stranger to help in the time of need."

This was definitely a good sign, and a good motto to live by. Even a simple kindness can help people through their darkest times.

If I don't post before, I hope everyone has a happy holiday.

Just a little blurb

In the craziness of the past few days, I have managed to create a survey to gauge awareness of This is a Good Sign and its mission. If you could please take two minutes from your day, we would really appreciate the input!

Click here to take the Survey

Optimism when it's needed most

Michael J. Fox, the "incurable optimist" is spreading hope to those who need it most through The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research and the national children's charity Kids Wish Network. Recently, Fox has granted the only wish of a young boy, Gideon of Allen, Mich., who suffers from cystic fibrosis.

Two years ago, Gideon suffered from a severe sinus infection which caused an abscess to from in his brain. He was in the hospital when Fox's "The Incurable Optimist" special aired, and was touched to see a star that understands the struggles of illness, yet stays wholly optimistic. 

After several surgeries to Gideon's brain, the nerves to his eyes were destroyed and Gideon lost the majority of his sense of sight. Fox's installment of optimism took on a new meaning, Gideon is determined to work around his handicap with a smile on his face. 

A teacher referred Gideon to Kids Wish Network, all Gideon asked for was to meet his hero and fellow optimist, Michael J. Fox.

Gideon and his family were given the VIP treatment from Kids Wish Network. They flown to New York, stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel, went on a dinner cruise on the Hudson River and the next day, met Fox at the Central Park Zoo for a private hands-on tour. 

Kim, Gideon's mother said Fox made the two just talked the afternoon away, touching on subjects ranging from movies, books and surgeries.

"He was just so sincere and sweet," Kim said. "he was just Gideon's new friend Mike. It was a lot more than we ever expected."

After the trip was over, Gideon could not wait to get home and tell friends all about his adventure. Both  he and his family are touched that Fox took the time out to sit down and spend some quality time with him.

"Everybody was so kind to us there that we definitely felt like celebrities," recalled Kim. "I'm still in shock over it all. Thank you so much."

We should all be incurable optimists, this is definitely a Good Sign.

Link to full article.

We want you, to help spread positivity

Team Good Signs brings smiles to people's faces.

Team Good Signs is seeking people to come on board with our concept for an upward movement of positivity. 

We are looking for people who can help us do many things including but not limited to: developing and writing a business plan, web development, PR, designing and developing merchandise and photography. General brainstorming is also welcome any time!

The only requirement for being a team member is that you strongly identify with and believe in the potential of our movement.

If you feel like you can contribute positively in any way please contact us and tell us a little bit about yourself and how you would like to help.

Serendipity

This past Saturday, Eric Dennis, the founder of This is a Good Sign, went to the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in Washington, DC. He was blown away by the crowd and it's reception of Good Signs and the celebrities, other than hosts Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, that showed up to support the cause.

What he didn't expect was Stewart's closing speech to mirror so many of his intentions with Good Signs. Real concerns about the abundance of negativity being spread and consumed within society mixed with comedy, Stewart's speech touched on everything from media, politics, the false image of our citizens, the fragility of our country and an "unexpected flaming ants epidemic."

Even with all this negativity, as he pointed out, we work together to get to better times.

"Because we know, instinctively, as a people, that if we are to get through the darkness and back into the light, we have to work together. And the truth is, there will always be darkness, and sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel isn't the Promised Land. Sometimes it's just New Jersey."

   -Jon Stewart

As Stewart spoke, Dennis looked at the fliers he was handing out, that read, "...it is hard to find peace, harmony and the good things in life. Good Signs wants to initiate a movement towards communal harmony and optimism..."

It made him realize the wish for better times is high up on everyone's list these days. It seems like Good Signs were in the right place at the right time.

This kid is definitely a Good Sign

Magnus Knudsen's only item on his wish list for his fifth birthday was not the hottest toy of the season, but for friends and family to make small donations to the Ronald McDonald House. 

When he and his father delivered the check for $288 to the house in Cincinnati, they got a tour of the home and learned about how it helps families in need. Magnus explained the house functions best, "When their children are in the hospital, parents can stay at the Ronald McDonald House instead of staying in a hotel."

The little guy has been all over the news, even appearing live via satellite on MSNBC's Today Show. In a time of economic crisis, his sense of charity is a Good Sign worth sharing. 

What does Magnus want for his sixth birthday? More small donations to the Ronald McDonald House.

Good Signs are going to the rally of the year

Jon Stewart's Rally to Restore Sanity and Stephen Colbert's March to Keep Fear Alive are colliding this Saturday and the Good Signs team will be there to watch it all go down.

The event, held at the National Mall between Third St. and Seventh St., an area known as East Seaton Park or Henry Park. It starts at 12 pm and ends at 3pm EST, no matter the weather. There is no need to buy tickets, it is first come first serve. 

If you can't make it to D.C., there are local meetups in St. Augustine and Jacksonville. The whole thing will also be broadcast live on Comedy Central, streamed uncensored online and available to view on iPhones, iPads and Android 2.2 devices. 

So, get out there and restore sanity or keep fear alive, just remember to keep your eyes open for Good Signs.

Good Signs goes high fashion

Photo courtesy of Kate Shoaf.

Good vibrations were definitely in the air last night at the High Tide Fashion Show.

The atmosphere was awesome and the crowd was pumped to see their friends rock the runway in the latest surf gear and Halloween costumes. The models' favorite accessory? The Good Signs sticker!

We would like to thank everyone involved: Melissa's Intimate Apparel, Surf Culture and Pit Surf Shop for the amazing clothes; Spoiled Beauty for their hot hair and make-up designs; the photographers and DJ for pumping up and capturing the crowd and II Hundred Lounge for hosting the event.

The show was a great success. Thanks to all who came to support Good Signs and spread good vibrations!

Hope to see you at our next event and keep your eyes open for Good Signs.

Positivity is the new black

DVS and MATIX are spreading “Good Vibrations” at the High Tide Fashion Show where models will be sporting this season’s hottest trend: positivity. 

Held at II Hundred Lounge on Oct. 21, anyone 18 or older are welcome. Cover is $1 for 21+ and $5 for 18-20 year olds. The show will start by 10 pm, get there early to check out raffle items and get a good spot.

Good Sign founder Eric Dennis and members of the Good Sign team will be present, sharing their inspiration, motives and Good Signs with the crowd while models rock the runway in the season’s hottest surf gear, Halloween costumes and, of course, the Good Sign logo. 

Clothing, costumes and raffle items are being donated from local businesses such as Pit Surf Shop, Surf Culture, and Melissa's Intimate Apparel. 

So, shed your stresses at the door and help spread Good Vibrations at the High Tide Fashion Show. Hope to see you there! 

A little introduction

Mantraki harbor, Rhodes, Greece

In a time of economic crisis, natural disasters and war it is hard to focus on the good things in life. 


This is why we have created Good Signs, visual reminders of what is right in the world when everything seems to be wrong. We hope to promote optimism and unity through out the world by reminding people there is good within and without every one of us. We sometimes have to look a bit harder to find it. 


Good Signs are in the eye of the beholder, they can manifest in anything, physical or mental. They are celebrations of the little and big things alike. Whatever makes you happy or feel good is a Good Sign.


We welcome people to post comments and pictures of their Good Signs on our Webpages, sharing your Good Sign may just be someone else's Good Sign. 


So, keep your eyes and mind open, you may just run into a Good Sign.