Elaine Parke, resident near Oil City, Pennsylvania, is the founder and director of Caring Habits, a program that incorporates kind living with over 20,000 students across the country. The idea is that by perforhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifming small acts of kindness these students begin to experience positive behavioral changes as the acts become habit.

The program accomplishes this one month at a time. Parke developed a system of monthly "Golden Rules" upon which students practice a particular act each day until it becomes habit. For instance, October's rule is "Be Patient & Listen." Students are simply asked to be better listeners both inside and outside of the classroom. There is a color-coated system as well. October's color is "Slow-Down Lavender."

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It's mind-blowing to think of the many major disasters that have taken place over the past six weeks.

With the Gulf Coast hurricanes, increasing turmoil in Iraq and the recent earthquake in Pakistan, we are all overwhelmed with what seems to be a world riddled with bad news.

We just want to remind you to keep your chin up in these times, and keep your mind focused on what you can do to help make ours a nicer world to be. Donate a dollar to relief efforts. Help with your son's school bake sale. Pay your neighbor a visit. Offer to babysit for someone. Do anything to keep the good karma up.