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55 Kindness Quotes To Inspire And Uplift

It costs zero dollars to be kind.

Deep Kindness Quotes

• Short Quotes About Kindness

Kindness Quotes For Students

Famous kindness quotes, power of kindness quotes.

The power of kindness has been discussed for centuries. From ancient philosphers to modern musings from authors and actors, there is no shortage of wisdom on the power of being kind. Whether you need inspiration for yourself , your kids, or the classroom, these kindness quotes showcase what it means to embrace empathy, generosity, and goodwill towards everyone we meet.

In a world where kindness sometimes feels like a rare commodity, let this collection of 55 kindness quotes serve as a strong reminder of the profound impact kindness can have on our lives and the lives of others when we stop and take a moment to care.

Southern Living

• “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” — Edith Wharton
• “There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” — John Holmes
• “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” ― Lao-Tzu
• “It does not matter how long you are spending on the earth, how much money you have gathered or how much attention you have received. It is the amount of positive vibration you have radiated in life that matters.” ― Amit Ray
• “The very nature of kindness is to spread. If you are kind to others, today they will be kind to you, and tomorrow to somebody else.”  — Sri Chonmony
• “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “The ideals which have always shone before me and filled me with joy are goodness, beauty, and truth.” ― Albert Einstein
• “Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.”  — Charles Glassman
• “A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.” — Joseph Joubert
• “Because that’s what kindness is. It’s not doing something for someone else because they can’t, but because you can.”  — Andrew Iskander
• “Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.”  — Franklin D. Roosevelt
• “If you have kindness in your heart, you offer acts of kindness to touch the hearts of others wherever you go—whether they are random or planned. Kindness becomes a way of life.”  — Roy T. Bennett
• “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” — Sir Winston Churchill
• “And so I try to be kind to everything I see, and in everything I see, I see him.” ― Hanya Yanagihara
• “When you are joyful, when you say yes to life and have fun and project positivity all around you, you become a sun in the center of every constellation, and people want to be near you.” ― Shannon L. Alder

Short Quotes About Kindness 

• “Love and kindness go hand in hand.”  — Marian Keyes
• “For it is in giving that we receive.” ― St. Francis of Assisi
• “Never be so busy as not to think of others.” — Mother Teresa
• “Be a little kinder than you have to.” ― E. Lockhart
• “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” — Dalai Lama
• “The simple act of caring is heroic.”  — Edward Albert
• “Always try to be a little kinder than is necessary.”  — J.M. Barrie
• “A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” — William Arthur Ward
• “When words are both true and kind, they can change the world.” — Buddha
• “It takes strength to be kind; it’s not a weakness”  — Daniel Lubetzky
• “Kindness is a sort of love without being love.”  — Susan Hill
• “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” — Tennessee Williams
• "​Kindness is wisdom.”  — Philip James Bailey
• “It’s very important to choose kindness and stop bullying.” — Jacob Tremblay
• “Treat everyone with politeness and kindness, not because they are nice, but because you are.” ― Roy T. Bennett
• “Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.” ― R.J. Palacio
• “Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen.” — Conan O’Brien
• “Kind hearts are the gardens. Kind thoughts are the roots. Kind words are the blossoms. Kind deeds are the fruits.” — Kirpal Singh
• “But remember, boy, that a kind act can sometimes be as powerful as a sword.” ― Rick Riordan
• “Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.” ― Eric Hoffer
• “We should model the kindness we want to see.” ― Brene Brown
• “Good words bring good feelings to the heart. Speak with kindness, always.” ― Rod Williams
• “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” ― Oscar Wilde
• “You can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!” ― Anne Frank
• “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” ― Booker T. Washington
• “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” ― Aesop
• “We rise by lifting others.” ― Robert Ingersoll
• “Act with kindness, but do not expect gratitude.” ― Confucius
• “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” ― Amelia Earhart
• “Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.”― Roy T. Bennett
• “Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out.” ― Abraham Lincoln
• “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” ― Plato
• “This is my simple religion. No need for temples. No need for complicated philosophy. Your own mind, your own heart is the temple. Your philosophy is simple kindness.” ― Dalai Lama XIV
• “I have found that it is the small everyday deed of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien
• "People shouldn't have to earn kindness. They should have to earn cruelty." ― Maggie Stiefvater
• "All I'm saying is, kindness don't have no boundaries." ― Kathryn Stockett
• "We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over." ― Ray Bradbury
• "You don't always have to chop with the sword of truth. You can point with it too." ― Anne Lamott
• "What virtue is there in a man who demonstrates goodness because he has been bred to it? It is his habit from youth. But a man who has known unkindness and want, for him to be kind and charitable to those who have been the cause of his misfortunes, that is a virtuous man." ― Deanna Raybourn

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75 Best Quotes About Traveling With Friends

Because your epic adventures together call for the perfect saying.

It’s no secret that traveling can open your eyes to new experiences, cultures and perspectives. What can make those memorable journeys even better? A companion, of course! Traveling with friends can enhance trips in unimaginable ways. For starters, they can be your personal photographer when selfies won’t suffice. That’s what friends are for, right ?

Exploring the world together can create enlightening experiences that you will look back on for years to come. But, before you embark on your next adventure, we’ve rounded up some of the best traveling with friends quotes to get you excited about the trips that you have yet to take.

From short and sweet to deep and meaningful, these quotes will boost your anticipation for your future travels. If you’ve taken trips together in the past, these travel quotes can help you reflect and reminisce. Text them in your special group chat or post as captions on Instagram . Regardless of how you share them, these quotes and messages are sure to resonate with your travel buddies.

No matter if you’re going with one friend or a group of your closest buds, traveling with friends presents an opportunity to strengthen bonds while having fun. So, pack your bags and get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime.

• “ Sharing adventures means enjoying them 100% more .” – Anonymous
• “ There are no strangers in this world, only friends I haven’t met yet. ” – William Butler Yeats
• “Friends make everything better, vacations included! ” — Anonymous
• “ A friend may be waiting behind a stranger’s face .” – Maya Angelou
• “ Traveling with a friend is like stepping into a storybook adventure together.” – Unknown
• “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “Travel far, travel wide, but always travel with a friend by your side. ” – Unknown
• “ Just as the stars shine brighter in the night sky, so do friendships glow stronger amidst the wonders of the world discovered together .” – Unknown
• “ As the road stretches out before us, I’m grateful for the company of my best friend, knowing that no matter where we end up, the journey together is what truly matters. ” – Unknown
• “ No matter where our journey takes us, friendship will always be our guiding light. ” —Anonymous
• “ I can speak to my soul only when the two of us are off exploring deserts or cities or mountains or roads. ” – Paulo Coelho
• “Good company on a journey makes the way seem shorter.” — Izaak Walton
• “A good friend listens to your adventures. A best friend makes them with you.” — Unknown
• “A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles.” — Tim Cahill
• “No adventure is complete without you by my side.” — Unknown
• “Friends that travel together, stay together.” — Unknown
• “It doesn’t matter where you’re going — it’s who you go with that makes it fun!” — Unknown
• “As soon as I saw you, I knew a grand adventure was about to happen.” — Winnie The Pooh.
• “Life was meant for great adventures and close friends." — Unknown
• “You can pack for every occasion, but a good friend will always be the best thing you could bring!” — Unknown
• "We all have that one friend who is either on a road-trip or planning a road-trip or thinking about a road-trip or talking to people who are on road-trip or posting quotes about road-trip." — Crestless Wave
• “It’s the friends we meet along the way that help us appreciate the journey.” — Unknown
• “You never know where life will take you, but it will always be better with friends.” —Unknown
• “We are all travelers in the wilderness of the world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend.” — Robert Louis Stevenson
• “The tans will fade but the memories will last forever.” — Unknown
• “Wherever it is you may be, it is your friends who make your world.” — Chris Bradford
• ​​“When traveling life’s journey, it’s good to have a friend’s hand to hold on to.” — Unknown
• “If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” — African Proverb
• “A good trip is an even better one with your bestie.” — Unknown
• “The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends” —Shirley MacLaine
• “Embarking on new adventures is a million times better with close pals.” — Unknown
• “Life was meant for great adventures and close friends.” —Unknown
• “I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” —Mark Twain
• “Adventure awaits — all you need is your best buddy to make it a reality.” — Unknown

• “Life is a beach, enjoy the waves.” — Unknown
• “Frozen drinks are better with friends.” — Unknown
• “With friends by your side, every journey becomes an opportunity to discover the beauty of the world and the depths of your bond.” — Unknown
• “If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere.” — Zig Ziglar
• “On the road, strangers become friends, sharing stories and laughter, creating bonds that last beyond the journey.” — Unknown
• “ The best way to travel is to always pack light, with the exception of a friend . ” —Anonymous
• " If you want to have fun, bring a friend.” — Unknown
• “ Nothing makes the journey more enjoyable than a friend who can make you laugh.” — Unknown
• “ I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within .” —Lillian Smith
• “ In the tapestry of life, friends are the threads that weave together our most cherished travel stories .” – Unknown
• “ May your travels be filled with the magic of friendship, the wonder of new experiences, and the warmth of shared memories that last a lifetime .” —Unknown
• " T raveling the world is great, but nothing tops going around the world with a friend ." —Unknown
• “ The beach and my besties are all I need to have a good time." —Unknown
• "Travel memories we make alone may fade, but those made with friends will last a lifetime." — Unknown
• “Away is a place where it’s not about the money you spend. It’s about the moments you share.” —Unknown
• “Just grab a friend and take a ride, together upon the open road.” —The Goofy Movie
• Life is about doing things that don’t suck with people who don’t suck.” —Unknown
• “I would like to travel the world with you twice. Once, to see the world. Twice, to see the way you see the world.” —Unknown
• “Everyone needs this friend that calls and says, “Get dressed, we’re going on an adventure.” —Unknown
• “Getting to know new people and gaining new friends is one of life’s greatest pleasures. So, conquer your fears and get out there.” —Tony Clark
• “Traveling with friends is always better.” —Unknown
• “No road is long with good company.” —Turkish proverb
• "Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." —Anais Nin
• "In life, it’s not where you go – it’s who you travel with.” — Charles M. Schulz
• “Exploring new places is always sweeter with your favorite people.” — Unknown
• “Getting lost with you is a risk I’m always willing to take.”— Unknown
• “As with any journey, whom you travel with is more important than the destination.” —Unknown
• “At the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair messy and your eyes sparkling.” —Shanti
• “May your adventures bring you closer together, even as they take you far away from home.” — Trenton Lee Stewart
• “I get a friend to travel with me… I need somebody to bring me back to who I am. It’s hard to be alone.” —Leonardo DiCaprio
• “Travel should make friendships stronger and memories sweeter.” —Unknown
• “Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.” —Ernest Hemingway
• “Sometimes all you need is a great friend and a tank of gas.” — Thelma & Louise
• “One of the great things about travel is that you find out how many good, kind people there are.” —Edith Wharton
• “We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.” — Paul Coelho
• “Sometimes all you need is a great friend and thirst for adventure.” —Unknown
• “Nothing makes a good trip more memorable than experiencing it with your best friends.” —Unknown
• “Traveling with a pal can be the foundation for a lifelong friendship.” —Unknown
• “Good times and crazy friends make the best memories.” —Unknown
• “The best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been, and the memories we’ve made along the way.” —Unknown
• “Don’t be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.”— Richard Bach

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HOW TO PACK FOR A SHORT TRIP DURING COVID? (OR HOW NOT TO OVERPACK) TRAVEL CHECKLIST

Short trips have many challenges, and the ongoing pandemic is not making things easier. First of all, it’s the lack of time in general that makes us plan much more thoroughly than usual so that we can enjoy our trip to the fullest. Packing for a short trip (let’s say this kind of trip lasts no more than 3 days) as well as packing for a day trip is also among those challenges.

First-time travelers may think it’s a hard task, but it’s definitely something you should practice over time. Getting ready like this is difficult because you need to pack all the necessities and travel items you usually bring on your trip without overpacking and bringing loads of extra clothes and stuff.

And then there are also new additions that have to be included to prevent the coronavirus from spreading, plus the documents you need to have to show that you’ve been vaccinated, don’t have the virus, or have already beaten the disease.

To help you with your packing for a short trip, we came up with four categories that you should always pack and have around. Let’s go through them, one category at a time.

WHICH HYGIENE AND ANTI-COVID PRODUCTS TO TAKE ON A TRIP?

Hygiene is the most important category because it contains the most personal items, items associated with your everyday rituals and practices. Also, most of the items from the list you won’t be able to borrow from the people you’re traveling with, since people mostly don’t share them.

And since the coronavirus is still out there, you will need to also pack some items that will keep you healthy no matter where you go.

In case your hotel provides something from the list above, you can cross it off, but if you can’t count on them waiting for you in your room these are the essentials you should always pack.

The items from this category include:

• – Toothbrush and toothpaste (travel size)
• – Floss and mouthwash
• – Deodorant and perfume (if you’re traveling with hand luggage, make sure the type and the size of the deodorant pass the airport’s guidelines)
• – Gel lotion, shampoo, conditioner and body milk (the best option is to use silicone travel bottles and bring only a small amount of your home products)
• – Packed-in makeup and makeup remover wipes
• – Hairbrush
• – Shaving kit
• – Panties (number of days + 1)
• – Other underwear (this includes also a swimming suit)
• – Pajamas or sleepwear
• – Socks (number of days + 2)
• – Slippers (instead of packing your home slippers, you can buy a pack of thin and foldable slippers so that you have them for other travels)
• – Towel (compressed towels take up less space in your luggage)
• – Labeled prescription medication and some pain relievers
• – Band-aids (pack a few band-aids of different sizes)
• – Eyewear and lenses

Obviously, since COVID-19 is still out there, you need to think about staying safe from the coronavirus during your trip, too. Don’t worry, it can be done, just make sure you pack the following:

• Face masks for adults (preferably face masks with removable filters)
• Face masks for children if any are coming along with you
• Hand sanitizer
• Anti-bacterial wipes
• Smartphone sanitizer

There are also several other things that may not be absolutely necessary but can make your life easier, such as a face shield, for example.

WHICH ACCESSORIES SHOULD I PACK FOR A TRIP?

The second category of things to pack for a short trip is accessories. Now, this includes everything from your shoes to your phone. We have simply divided it into four main sub-categories so that it’s easier for you to follow. Most of the things from this category are not essential but can help you a lot. However, think twice before packing anything from the list.

• – Shoes – always make sure to check the weather forecast before packing your shoes. If there’s even a slight possibility of rain, make sure to pack some waterproof shoes. In case you plan to walk 5+ hours a day, forget about heels and uncomfortable shoes or sandals, since blisters can really ruin the whole trip.
• – Scarf – scarf is one of the most useful travel items. It can serve as a fashion accessory, as a blanket, as a cover when visiting a religious site or as a hidden pocket for money and travel documents.
• – Belt
• – Phone, Tablet, Laptop
• – Camera
• – Power Bank (Portable Charger) – this little gadget can be super-useful on your trips
• – Charger – something many people forget when packing
• – Headphones
• – Electric converters and adapters

Watches, rings, earrings and necklaces you usually wear and don’t feel uncomfortable wearing

Entertainment and Comfort

• – Books and magazines (books can really be lifesavers on a bus or plane or while you’re waiting between flights; however, they can take up a lot of space, so many people use Kindle instead of packing real books when traveling.)
• – Travel games or cards – there are some great travel-sized board games at Amazon, so you won’t need to carry your Monopoly with you.
• – Travel pillow , blanket, eye mask , earplugs

Weather and climate supplies

• – Umbrella – if there’s even a slight possibility of rain, packing an umbrella is advised. Luckily, there are many light and compact umbrellas that don’t take require space in your luggage.
• – Raincoat – most raincoats don’t take up much space, so they can be an even better option than an umbrella.
• – Windbreaker
• – Hat – weather it’s the woolen cap that keeps you warm during winter or a baseball cap, most of the time you’ll need some kind of hat.
• – Sunglasses
• – Sunblock
• – Mosquito repellent

WHICH CLOTHES SHOULD I PACK FOR A TRIP?

Clothes is the trickiest category, and it should come last when packing your luggage so that you can see how much space you have left. The first thing you should do is to check the weather forecast.

Since you only have a few days on your trip, make sure to plan out what you’re going to wear depending on the weather conditions. On top of that, you can pack one extra shirt, but nothing more than that. Don’t pack shorts if it’s going to snow. Don’t wear black long jeans if it’s going to be hot. In the shoulder season, always pack more layers instead of one heavy piece of clothes. Pick cotton and natural fabrics so that you don’t sweat much. After you’re done with packing, review once more the clothes you’re going to wear. If you don’t have any doubts, you’re ready to go.

HOW TO PACK MONEY AND DOCUMENTS FOR A TRIP?

After you’re done with your clothes, you’re actually done with the luggage. In case you’re still searching for the right suitcase, check out the bestsellers on Amazon.

This last category actually fits in most small bags you can find, but it includes the most important stuff that should be kept in a safe place, apart from your other luggage.

• – Money
• – Credit cards
• – Travel Insurance
• – Passport or ID – make sure to keep your passport protected in a passport holder
• – Important Travel Documents (such as a boarding pass and hotel information)

However, COVID-19 has had a major impact in this aspect of trip planning too, so now you will have to show documents related to the virus when you cross pretty much any border in the world. 

These depend on whether or not you’ve been vaccinated or have recovered from the disease, but no matter your status, you will have to have one of the following:

• a COVID passport: depending on where you’re from, you may have to have your EU Digital COVID Certificate, your NHS Covid Pass, your ArriveCAN app, or some other digital proof of vaccination. The US currently doesn’t have such an app on the federal level, but there are some in individual states.
• If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, you will have to show that you took a PCR test no more than three days before your trip and that you tested negative. If you’re visiting the US, however, you MUST be fully vaccinated in order to be allowed to enter.
• If you’ve recovered from COVID-19 recently, you can use the documentation proving that to get around. For example, you may need to show a positive COVID-19 and a confirmation from your doctor saying that you’ve recovered. Keep in mind, though, that you can only use this method for several months, depending on the country.

As you can see, there is a lot to consider. Still, there are some things that are widely regarded as top travel items, so maybe you should focus on them first. 

Either way, dividing your luggage like this can make your life (and your suitcase) a whole lot easier. 

Just don’t forget to pack things that help keep you and the others safe from COVID-19. At a time like this, travelers have a big responsibility to stay safe because they can help the virus spread much faster.

Oh, and always take the weather conditions into consideration and pack accordingly. With just a little bit of planning, you can have a great trip every single time!

Make sure you have everything you need

What to pack for your next trip.

Make your next trip as simple and as enjoyable as possible by packing smart. It’s amazing how much stress top travel items can save you, so choose carefully. Things like lightweight travel backpacks, for example, are ideal for short trips and allow you to move around with ease, and a passport holder will make sure you keep your documents safe at all times. Check our travel checklist guide for 2021 to make sure you haven’t missed anything, and travel to your next destination in style and with maximum comfort.

Related posts:

Anca is a travel writer and the founder of One Day Itinerary - the biggest collection of travel itineraries for those who are time-limited or just want to maximize their time while traveling. Although she easily becomes homesick for Croatia, she thinks travel is essential to her happiness. She has traveled to more countries than she is years old and doesn’t plan on changing that fact. In her travel guides she aims to inspire people to travel whenever they have a spare day (or two).

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Life is short. Be kind.

A lot of people I know have experienced loss recently. Loss is particularly hard when your last words to the deceased person were spoken in anger.

I don’t know whether you’ll get married. I don’t know whether you’ll have children or grandchildren. I don’t know if you’ll be kind. But I know you’ll die. Because that’s something we all do. Death is something we often don’t want to think about, even though it’s inescapable and a simple fact of life.

Hence,in the Buddhist teachings, we find reflections such as this:

Those who have come to be, those who will be: All will go, leaving the body behind. The skillful person, realizing the loss of all, should live the holy life ardently.

There are those who do not realize that one day we all must die. But those who do realize this settle their quarrels.

We don’t want to think about death, so we have to make a conscious effort to do so.

This may, for all we know, be my last post on this blog. You, for all I know, may have already passed away before my finger hits the “publish” button. For all I know, this post has been written by a corpse, for a corpse.

4 Comments . Leave new

Concise and touching. Thanks for the reminder.

A beautifully written piece on a subject that will touch us all and occur to all of us.

When I was six years old I had a great grandmother whom I said something to in an outburst of anger. I still remember the look of hurt and shock on her face at what I had said. That was the last time I saw her and then as a nine year old I was told of her death and it tore me to pieces because of what I did. It took me many years to understand that I was only six years old at the time and didn’t understand the full ramifications of what I was saying.

Fast forward to today. I am a 35 year old man, a Buddhist and I have unsettled quarrels in my life with family members who abandoned me when I was 23 years old, homeless and in need of a place to say.

This teaching is true and touches me to the core but is very very hard to follow.

It is difficult as a new Buddhist to think about death, However, when reminders are written this way it’s not so easy to forget. Thank you.

This is beautiful and so very true!Thanks for posting.

Peace and blessings, Karen

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Your Short-Term Trip Should Be About You (and that’s not a bad thing).

By Amy Medina

On June 12, 2023

In A Life Overseas , Thoughts on Short-Term Missions Trips

It’s kind of a short-term mission trip mantra: “This trip shouldn’t be about you. It’s about the people you are serving.”

I’m here to flip that on its head: This trip isn’t mostly about the people you are serving. It actually  should  be primarily about you.

And that’s not a bad thing. Stick with me here; don’t write me off yet. 

Let’s start with the second part: this trip is not about the people you are serving. 

There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to come right out with it: if this trip were really about the people on the other side, then you would just take the $20,000 your team raised and send it to the missionaries or local pastors instead. 

They could support the local economy by buying the supplies you are bringing. They could hire locals to build the house or paint the church – people who are likely desperate for work. They could pay for an expert to train the church members to run the VBS themselves (in the local language) and supplement the income of those church members who need to take time off of work to serve. And with the extra, they could support a local pastor. Or top up the deficit in their ministry account.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that your service is a waste of time. Certainly, God can use you to touch lives. But my point is this: it is unlikely that a team who doesn’t know the language or culture will be able to make a measurable impact in a foreign country in seven to ten days. Often, there are already people living in the country who could do the exact same ministry themselves if necessary. (I know there are exceptions, but that’s not what I’m talking about today.) 

In spite of all this, I’m still a fan of short-term missions. This is not an anti-missions-trip article. Those are out there. This is not one of them. 

So why do I still encourage these trips? Because I believe God can use them to transform lives. Not necessarily the lives of the people you are serving. But  your  life? Yes! 

Because your short-term trip is actually about you. 

Now, I need to clarify a couple of things here. You’ve all heard the horror stories of teams who complain, criticize, demand – the ones who make the trip about themselves in the nastiest of ways. We personally witnessed a team who thought it would be funny to make a bet as to who could go the most days without showering. (It was only funny to them.) 

Your short-term missions trip isn’t camp or a vacation. You shouldn’t expect room service, predictable schedules, or familiar food. Expect to be uncomfortable. It’s not about your agenda. It’s not about your needs. 

Most of us know this. Duh. Let’s move on. Most of us say, “That’s not me. I’m going to serve.”

That’s great, but there’s still a problem here. Sometimes, our attitude of serving can actually breed a different type of self-centeredness: the kind that feels really good and important with all the wonderful things we are doing. This kind of service puts me up here on this pedestal and the people I’m serving down there in the dust. They need me. They want me. They are so blessed by me. 

This kind of serving can even masquerade as humility. It can say, “I need to do this for these people because they can’t possibly do it themselves. I wouldn’t want to ask them to help me, because this service is my gift to them.” Which is sort of a roundabout way of positioning myself as the hero of the story. Short-term missions trips, unfortunately, are really good at this. 

As you can imagine, this kind of service usually does more harm than good (both for the servers and the recipients). So how do we avoid it? 

Well, let’s reframe your trip. 

Let’s make this trip less about you serving the local people and more about how God can use it to change you. Why would missionaries invite you to come if they know they don’t really need you for this ministry?

Because what they  do  need is your partnership. They need your encouragement, your fellowship, your questions, your interest in their host country. They need your financial support. They need you to go back home and champion their ministry to your church. 

That last part is key. Maybe you thought you were interested in their ministry before, but once you see it for yourself, your perspective will be blasted wide open. It should be, if you let it. 

Whether or not this happens is entirely dependent on your focus. Is this trip about you feeling good about yourself for serving? Or is it about humbly walking into a cross-cultural situation as a learner, with your hands and your heart open wide to how God wants to transform you? 

Barna’s* study on short-term missions says this:

“As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called to listen to each other, valuing and learning from the wisdom and experiences that God has given to each of us. Believers in the slums of Kenya understand God’s provision and sustaining presence in ways that many more affluent Christians do not. African-American brothers and sisters in Birmingham, Alabama, have much to teach Caucasian believers about suffering and forgiveness. But if short-term trips are built around ‘doing,’ accomplishing particular tasks and projects, they cannot create the time or safe space necessary for this type of listening and learning.”

So walk into a short-term trip with an open mind and an open heart, and ask yourself the following questions.

Will you allow God to use this trip to change the way you see those who live in poverty?  To challenge how sacrificially you give?  To reenergize how you pray?  To remodel how you spend your time?  To transform your priorities back home?  And finally, might God be calling you to fulfill the Great Commission overseas?  If not, could He be calling you to  personally advocate for these missionaries  or their ministry? 

Yes, one goal of your trip is to serve. By all means, go in with an attitude of dying to yourself and your comfort. Look for ways to love others well, and trust that God can use you to build His kingdom. But you must remember that the success of the long-term impact is entirely connected to your transformed life. 

If you walk away from this trip and go back to your life and nothing changes, then this trip will be a waste. If you are not open to God transforming you, then don’t go – send the money instead. Because this trip is mainly about what God wants to do in you. Will you let Him? 

* “A Field Guide to Better Short-Term Missions Trips,” a Barna Group Research Study

I highly recommend the  Chalmers Center  excellent book/video series “Helping Without Hurting in Short-Term Missions” ( the videos are free online! )

This post was originally published at A Life Overseas . (Pictures are from Grace’s trip to Panama earlier this year.)

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Excellent! Thank you for writing this.

As someone who has been on the receiving end of missionary efforts in a majority world country, I have been looking for something like this to better communicate to my brothers and sisters here in the West. Thank you for writing this! God bless you.

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Nvidia: why investors are shorting the stock ahead of its split.

Nvidia's ( NVDA ) market cap briefly surpassed $3 trillion ahead of the company's planned 10-for-1 stock split on Friday after the market close. S3 Partners Managing Director Ihor Dusaniwsky joins Market Domination to discuss how the move will affect short selling.

Dusaniwsky notes that there is a significant short interest in Nvidia, about $2 billion worth over the last 30 days. "This ends up being kind of like a roulette wheel, red or black?" Dusaniwsky says, explaining that investors have to decide whether Nvidia has seen such a run that it's due for a pullback after the split or if it could be the start of a bigger move higher.

Watch the video above to hear what Dusaniwsky says about GameStop ( GME ) shorts getting squeezed and where else in the market he is seeing short interest.

For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Market Domination.

This post was written by Stephanie Mikulich.

Video Transcript

Nvidia hitting three trillion in market cap for the first time yesterday becoming the second largest US public company behind Microsoft.

Although we are seeing a pull back just a small one today and with Nvidia's 10 to 1 stock play coming up tomorrow, we may see another surge in short selling and options trading for more.

We are bringing in Ihor Duzan managing director at S3 partners.

So let's talk about the uh the short interest that we're seeing here.

The main story.

Uh What's your big picture view?

Well, NVIDIA has got a is, is the largest short in the US market with $34 billion of short interest.

Uh It's climbed to the top over Apple and Tesla.

People are shorting it based on being a momentum stock and also a hedge to the market and a hedge to the tech side of uh of the uh of the street.

So uh we're seeing a lot of activity uh and uh you know, there's something to be said about people shorting ahead of the stock split and, and what does that say?

What does it say that they're shorting ahead of the stock split?

I mean, you know, iii I have seen some research that indicates that say in the 12 months on average following a split, that stocks tend to perform relatively well.

But it obviously if people are shorting it, that would imply they don't believe that in the short term, at least.

Over the last 30 days, we've seen around 1.6 million shares short, it's around $2 billion.

So it's not a light figure.

Uh, this includes, you know, option trading because you've got the hedges to the people that are writing options.

You know, they take the hedges out and the short stock in order to protect themselves against their open option positions.

But really, this is, ends up being, you know, kind of like playing a roulette wheel red or black.

We think that the run up in NVIDIA has kind of taken up all the, all the sale, its wins temporarily for the stock split and we're expecting a pullback afterwards or is it just basically the start of a, a bigger move after the stock split?

So, you know, you gotta see who's, who's on each week, uh, each side of the market.

And we're seeing a lot of shorts betting, the, uh, betting, uh, for downturn.

I want to ask you about gamestop here, another ticker that's in the news.

We were talking about roaring kitty Keith Gill.

Uh, finally, uh, uh, talking to the market, talking to the public tomorrow.

What kind of short interest are you seeing in Gamestop ahead of this event?

Well, it's, uh, you know what things just keep coming around in the market.

We've got $2 billion worth of shorts, uh, interest in Gamestop.

It's one of the largest, uh, shorts in the, uh, computer and, uh, and uh retail sector, um, there hasn't been that much short selling recently.

Uh, there's been around uh, uh, 1.3 million shares shorted for the year, around 2 million shares bought to cover over the last 30 days.

There's been a short squeeze in the name.

So we're seeing some pullback in stock.

I mean, you gotta look at the, the the price moves and say that that the shorts are getting wall up today.

I think they're down around $640 million just on today's stock price move that brings your day losses to around 1.4 billion.

So, uh so this has been a painful trade on the short side and we're seeing a lot of shorts get out of the market.

Well, and that, that's what's interesting to me as well.

Igor because I've seen some chatter recently that it's not just shorts that are getting out of the market with something like that, that generally in the market there is lower short interest.

Now, are you seeing that in your data also?

You know, not really.

We're, we're seeing that the short interest has actually gone up over the last 30 days.

Uh overall, we're seeing around $1.15 trillion of short interest, it's up around $25 billion over the past uh you know, 30 days.

And that includes the mark to market interest.

Uh increase of the price of the stocks being shorted already.

But all so it's another $11 billion of short selling.

So there is discriminate short selling in the market, certain sectors are seeing a lot of activity, others, not so much.

Uh You know, we're seeing increased shorting in the uh in the tech sector.

Uh We're seeing short covering in energy.

Uh So, you know, the the people are rotating in and out of sectors.

Uh but generally short interest is still up.

I'm wondering if you have some kind of market timing model that's based on your own analytics and maybe based on uh uh maybe it's a contrary indicator.

But do you aggregate the short positions and then try to divine?

All right, is the market going, is it reaching a peak?

Is it reaching a valley?

Uh anything along those lines?

Yeah, that's uh not something we do to protect, you know, you know, the pricing in the market, what we are we are looking at is what the street is doing.

And you know, when you look at it, you know, a lot of the short selling or most of the short selling is done by the big institutions, hedge funds and such.

So you're kind of looking to say, ok, what's the quote unquote smart money doing in the market?

Um, you'll be looking at stocks that they're looking to short for, you know, profits for an alpha trade.

And you're also looking at shorts that are used as hedges.

So, you know, 12% of the entire short book in the US is, is in mag seven stocks.

So you cut stocks that are looking, uh, shorts that are looking at at those stocks to go down.

And also they're using it as a hedge to the entire portfolio.

But uh right now we're seeing shorts increasing their, their positions.

And finally, there's one more stock I wanted to ask you about Ihor that caught my eye on your list.

And that is micro strategy because most of the other stocks that are on this list are, are mega caps uh micro strategy, not really in that category.

It also stands out because 21% of its uh uh float is shorted, which is a quite a high number and one that again sticks out from the list.

So what have we seen for the numbers there?

Is that a, is that a recent development or has that been pretty consistent?

Well, just kind of to give a perspective.

The average shortage of pension float is 4.8 for the US market.

So we're talking about four or five times the size of the normal average short in the market.

Uh micro strategy is kind of a twofold bet.

You really, it's, it's a Bitcoin bet.

So you want to uh you want a short Bitcoin short micro strategy, it's, it's a much more liquid stock.

You can get in and out of the position as opposed to, you know, going in and out of Bitcoin itself uh or paying a premium in these ETF S. So, you know what a lot of, a lot of shorts are saying?

Yeah, I'm gonna short uh micro strategy instead of uh uh a, you know, a Cryptocurrency bet uh in the market proxy trade, love it.

Um And thanks for all of this uh very elucidating information here, Ivan Ivany.

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Visiting Hammond Castle north of Boston is like taking a short trip to Europe

By Chris Tanaka

Updated on: June 6, 2024 / 10:28 AM EDT / CBS Boston

GLOUCESTER - There's a hidden gem on the Massachusetts coast, north of Boston, that's working to become unhidden. The Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester is a sprawling estate tucked against the rocky coastline that looks like a castle through the ages, from 11th century France to the Renaissance. 

Who was John Hays Hammond, Jr.?

John Hays Hammond Jr. had the the castle built from 1926 to 1929. He imported several pieces from Europe to add authenticity to the structure. A fascinating figure, Hammond was also a scientist and inventor.

"He has over 510 patents," Linda Harvey, the museum's executive director, told WBZ-TV. "He worked on things like robotics and guided missiles. He's known as the father of radio control."

Hammond held many lavish gatherings at the castle. The Great Hall was the main setting .The large, long room with cathedral ceilings is home to many of his prized possessions.

What's inside Hammond Castle?

"Art, artifacts, history, this room really has it all," said tour guide Donovan LaFontaine. "Artifacts in this room sometimes dating back as far as the third century, all the way up to the big 15th century Renaissance period as well."

The adjoining courtyard features actual middle age storefronts imported from France, an indoor pool and a Roman sarcophagus. The dining room has 19th century Spanish tiles with antique walls and ceiling panels.

Gardner Museum similarities

If the description reminds you of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum , you aren't wrong. The two knew each other and were good friends. Like her estate-turned museum, Hammond Castle is a magnificent, yet quirky, attraction reflective of its owner.

"We want you to enjoy it with the richness of the building itself, but also to maybe pick up a few interesting facts along the way," Harvey told WBZ.

Harvey also said the museum is constantly looking for ways to connect with the community. It features seasonal, temporary exhibitions and hosts about 100 weddings a year. Adult tickets cost $20 and there are discounts for seniors and children.

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Chris Tanaka co-anchors the morning news on WBZ-TV. He joined WBZ in 2022 after most recently working in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Close encounters of the capybara kind: African Safari Wildlife Park debuts its newest addition

A popular Port Clinton wildlife park has added a big new addition in the form of the world's largest rodent.

African Safari Wildlife Park formally debuted the critters Thursday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the exhibit and upcoming " Capybara Encounter " experience.

The stars of the show are two-month-old Arepa and Torta, siblings from the same litter that arrived in Ohio just over a week ago from another wildlife park in central Florida.

The animals were added by popular request from park visitors and employees alike, according to Kelsey Keller, the director at African Safari Wildlife Park.

"One keeper said to me, 'I'll never leave if you get me capybaras,'" Keller said.

The capybara craze is due in part to social media and the animal's popularity played a role in their addition to the wildlife park.

"A lot of phone calls asking, "Do you have capybara?'" Keller said.

Keeper staff voted for Arepa and Torta's names and chose the two Spanish foods in homage to their South American heritage.

The capybara is native to South America and closely related to the common guinea pig. However, while Arepa and Torta may look small now, they will eventually weigh up to 150 pounds.

The capybara habitat at African Safari Wildlife Park is about 1,500 square feet with a pool and waterfall, as the animal is a semi-aquatic species with webbed feet and skilled at swimming.

The project was self-funded by the wildlife park and a labor of love, with the only outside help coming in the form of an excavator for the over-6-foot-deep pool.

"It was us giving back to our park and to our guests," Keller said.

Arepa and Torta are currently on exhibit for guests to check out, but the full Capybara Encounter experience is still to come.

"They did encounters with their mom and dad before they left their previous facility, but it’s a lot of change coming to a whole new place, whole new environment and whole new keepers," Keller said. "So we’re trying to let them get their feet wet - literally and figuratively - and enjoy the transition and the beautiful Ohio summer weather."

Once the African Safari Wildlife Park's Capybara Encounter  opens to the public, guests will be able to spend 10 minutes with Arepa and Torta during the experience. Tickets will be an add-on to regular park admission at $15 per person and open to guests 3 years of age and older.

Keller expects it to be two to three weeks before the encounters are up and fully running with the animals participating completely. Updates will be posted on African Safari Wildlife Park's website and social media.

She described the experience as a fun, interactive exhibit that brings something new to the community.

"Very few zoos in our region, the Toledo-Cleveland area, have 'capy' encounters," Keller said. "So it’s a really exciting thing for our lakeshore region."

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Short courses are now USGA-rated. Here are 5 reasons why that’s good news

When I started playing golf at age 7, I always looked forward to the par-3s. I loved seeing the hole in its entirety, often from an elevated tee.

When you’re just starting out, playing a hole in regulation is tough. (And let’s be honest: As a veteran player, regulation golf often remains elusive.) But even as a kid, I felt there was something deeply satisfying about hitting the green in one shot, and I still love par-3s for that reason today.

Fast-forward to the present day, and my handicap is on a steady rise. My two kids aren’t quite ready to play regular rounds, and like all parents, my “leisure time” is generally spent shuttling them to their activities, not working on my short game. Finding a six-hour block for a round of golf is a rarity, and requires much planning to pull off.

That’s why it was such a breath of fresh air to visit 3’s , a new 12-hole short course in Greenville, S.C.

At 3’s, each hole, as the name suggests, is a par-3 ranging from 92 to 175 yards. The holes may be short in length, but they are by no means easy. After logging two rounds over two days at 3’s, I realized that this short-course concept — which ia aiming to expand across the country — is my new favorite way to play.

Why Streamsong’s newest course, The Chain, will stand out among the growing list of short courses

And there’s even more reason to love it: Starting this year, short courses like 3’s are now USGA-rated and a part of the World Handicap System. That means that you can start and maintain a handicap using only short-course scores. You only need to log six nine-hole scores or three 18-hole scores to establish a handicap.

The new USGA rating is a fantastic development for more than 600 short courses around the country. Here are five reasons why it’s so great — and how it can benefit your game too.

5 benefits from the USGA’s new short-course ratings

This one is obvious, but for me, it’s by far the most important. Time. Time! At 3’s, like other short courses, you can get around quickly, in less than a couple of hours. That’s huge ! As much as I love to play a round on a regulation course, the time commitment — and the uncertainty about who you may have to wait on ahead of you — can make a long round even longer. The pace is brisk at 3’s, enabling you to make golf a part of your day, not the whole thing. And the fact that these quick rounds can now contribute to your handicap index is a welcome change.

2. NINE-HOLE ROUNDS

Thanks to the USGA’s new ratings, 9-hole rounds now count immediately toward your handicap index. (In the past, two nine-hole rounds needed to be combined to be eligible for handicap inclusion.) Now, that quick nine before or after work can take immediate effect. And at a course like 3’s, where you can play under the lights, that means late-evening loops count, too!

3. COMMUNITY

If you’ve never had a handicap index before, start playing your local short course and join more than 3 million others who are in on the fun! Signing up is easy , and once you have a handicap, you can compete or play for fun against anyone on an even playing field.

4. INCLUSIVITY

Short courses have the benefit of eliminating much of the intimidation factor that can be present at many full-size courses. At 3’s, the environment is welcoming to all. Kids play alongside their parents and grandparents, and beginners feel comfortable taking their first swings in a real round. And now, all these players can establish handicaps too!

5. IMPROVEMENT

Once you have a USGA handicap established, logging rounds is just the beginning. You can use the GHIN app to access GPS yardages, view putting green heat maps, keep in-round stats like greens and putts hit, and track your performance by viewing your stats over time — all of which will help you identify areas to practice, helping you improve.

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As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of female varsity golfers, Jessica can out-birdie everyone on the masthead. She can out-hustle them in the office, too, where she’s primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF’s inaugural Style Is­sue, which debuted in February 2018. Her origi­nal interview series, “A Round With,” debuted in November of 2015, and appeared in both in the magazine and in video form on GOLF.com.

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• Severe weather, storms target Midwest as heat bakes the West.

One of everything, please 🦞🍴

Flavor Flav is out there fighting the power – and Red Lobster isn't going under if he has anything to say about it. The Public Enemy rapper, 65, posted on X that he recently went to a Red Lobster location, pulled up a chair, and ordered every single item on the menu. He was following through on his earlier promise to "help save one of America's greatest dining dynasties." The restaurant chain filed for bankruptcy last month and closed dozens of locations. After making waves on social media, Flavor Flav clarified his massive order was not comped – and suggested he plans to pull the same stunt at other locations. 👀🦞 See more from Flav's visit.

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Donald Trump was convicted on felony charges. Will he go to prison?

A New York jury's historic conviction of Donald Trump on felony charges means his fate is now in the hands of the judge he has repeatedly ripped as "corrupt" and "incompetent."

Two experts told NBC News that it's unlikely Trump will be imprisoned based on his age, lack of a criminal record and other factors — and an analysis of thousands of cases found that very few people charged with the same crime receive jail time. But a third expert told NBC News he believes it is "substantially" likely Trump could end up behind bars.

Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records , a class E felony that is punishable by a fine, probation or up to four years in prison per count. During the trial, Judge Juan Merchan threatened to put Trump behind bars for violating his gag order, but it’s unclear whether the former president will face similar consequences now. It's expected that any sentence would be imposed concurrently, instead of consecutively.

Former federal prosecutor Chuck Rosenberg, an NBC News analyst, said it's unlikely that Merchan would sentence Trump, 77, to any jail time, given his age and his status as a first-time, nonviolent offender. "I’d be very surprised if there's any sentence of incarceration at all," Rosenberg said. “Of course, he did spend a good bit of time insulting the judge who has the authority to incarcerate him.”

The next step for Trump at this point is his sentencing, which is set for July 11. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg would not comment Thursday on what type of sentence he’d seek, saying his office would do its speaking in court papers in the weeks ahead.

Arthur Aidala, a former prosecutor in the Brooklyn district attorney's office who's now a defense lawyer, said the judge will most likely use some of the time before sentencing to research similar cases to determine what the median sentence is.

"He wants to know before he sentences someone what the typical sentence is," Aidala said, and would consider other factors, like Trump's age and lack of a criminal record, while also taking into account the lack of injury caused by the crime. Aidala said he believes whatever punishment Merchan comes up with would be "a non-jail disposition."

An analysis conducted by Norm Eisen, who worked for House Democrats during Trump’s first impeachment, found that roughly 1 in 10 people who have been convicted of falsifying business records are imprisoned and that those cases typically involved other crimes.

Ron Kuby, a veteran New York criminal defense lawyer, took a different view.

“Judge Merchan is known for being a harsh sentencer when it comes to white-collar crimes committed by people who have wealth and privilege and power,” he said.

Kuby added he believes "it is substantially likely Judge Merchan will sentence Trump to jail or prison time," despite the logistical and practical complications that locking up a person with Secret Service protection would entail.

Kuby said that's because the criminal scheme went on for over a year and included a number of bad acts on Trump's part.

“It’s an entire course of conduct he was involved with — not just one bad decision,” he said.

Trump, however, most likely doesn't have to worry about missing the Republican National Convention, where he's expected to accept the party's nomination, even though it's taking place just days after his sentencing. Kuby said he'd most likely be able to remain free while he appeals the conviction.

Trump's behavior during the trial, including his flouting Merchan's gag order by making comments about witnesses and the jury, isn't likely to be a factor in the sentencing decision, Kuby said. It's also highly unlikely that comments that appeared to be aimed at sidestepping the gag order by Republican officials who attended the trial as Trump's guests will figure into Merchan's reasoning, Kuby added.

"If the judge is smart, he'd stay away from that," Kuby said. "The best way for judges not to get reversed in a sentencing is to stick to the facts and circumstances of the crimes and conviction."

Rosenberg said that despite Trump’s frequent criticisms of Merchan, which he likened to “a batter who’s been yelling at the umpire from before the first pitch,” Merchan appeared to run “a clean and fair trial.”

Rosenberg and Kuby agreed that Trump would appeal the verdict. Kuby said that could delay Trump's serving whatever punishment Merchan doles out for years, even if the appeal is ultimately unsuccessful.

His first appeal will be to the state Appellate Division, a midlevel appeals court, and it will almost certainly not decide the appeal until after the November election, Kuby said. If he loses there, he could then appeal to the state's highest court, the Court of Appeals. A loss there would be followed by a request to the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.

If all that fails, Kuby said, he could then try turning to federal court in another attempt to eventually get the case before the Supreme Court.

The appeals process typically takes a long time — Kuby said he had one client who staved off prison time for six years — but there's another potential complicating factor in this case.

"If he becomes president of the United States, he cannot be incarcerated in a state prison" while he's in office, Kuby said, because it could prevent him from fulfilling his constitutional duties. If he lost his appeals, "by the time he leaves office — if he leaves office — he'd be ready to be incarcerated," he said.

Dareh Gregorian is a politics reporter for NBC News.

Adam Reiss is a reporter and producer for NBC and MSNBC.