American Bear – A Story of Kindness – Jaki King

A Lesson a Day

A couple of months ago I came across the wonderful story of Sarah, Greg and American Bear. Their story touched a chord inside me – The Kindness of Strangers. I wanted to share it with you, so I asked Sarah if she would mind writing about it :)

American Bear: A Little Background

“American Bear: An Adventure In The Kindness Of Strangers” is an inspiring exploration of our country through trust, fear, and hospitality, across America and between Americans. In the summer of 2010 Sarah and Greg traveled the country relying on the kindness of strangers for a home each night. Every day they were in a new town, meeting new people, and hoping that someone would be generous enough to open their home to two young strangers.

It all began a year earlier, during another road trip, when Greg spoke out in his sleep, saying “We have to go to Bear, Colorado!” Sarah and Greg were thrilled by this dream-destiny –- and disappointed when their search proved Bear, CO doesn’t exist. Fortunately, there are five other Bears in the country, that make a perfect horseshoe between Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Arkansas, and Delaware — their fate-driven blueprint through 30 states around the country.

An Adventure in the Kindness of Strangers

One of the things about making a documentary, or starting a movement, or hoping for something positive, is that on a daily basis amazing things happen to you. I believe that. I meet kind strangers far more often now that I made a movie about them. People seem kinder when I think about kindness. The best part of this is that each thing that happens (or that you create, because most of us have a much more active role in our own lives) — are the lessons learned.

I think I learn something everyday. I know that sounds crazy, like a lie, or a far too inspirational speech. But its not.

Yesterday I was working on some writing for a blog when I decided to check my email as a break (oof, writers, this is a constant problem, yes?) — and I noticed that we had received two new pledges on kickstarter. I opened the first one, curious — and a huge number jumped back at me. $1500. Then the name — Amanda H. Now the Amanda that I know, that I have known since pre-school — that Amanda and I havent spoken for almost 5 years. So my first thought was, it must have been a mistake. She must have meant to donate $150 (still incredibly generous) or $15. My second thought — is this the same Amanda? Maybe its a different Amanda from somewhere I have never been who is independently wealthy and found us on the huffinton post and… no. This was my Amanda. It had to be.

I was flabbergasted.

So I called her – it took me about 30 minutes to find her phone number.

I called her and I could hardly speak. When I asked her why/how/what – with a sentence I am sure made no sense, she said “Well, I like it, I like its ambition, I’ve been following it from the beginning and when I saw you only needed that much, I thought, hmm, I have that.” It was as simple as that for her. I have that. And so she gave it to us. Kindness can come from anywhere! This is the kind of kindness that made me cry – because it’s support and inspiration. In some big way now I have to make this movie for every stranger we stayed with, but also for this amazing friend – Amanda. And that’s special because you can connect with strangers, but its so important not to forget the people you already know. What an amazing act of faith.

Sarah and Greg’s Wish

Sarah and Greg wish to foster the power of the individual as the greatest resource for generating change in the world, starting with a simple act of kindness.