his wife Tammy inspired the lives of many with their examples of courage, devotion, hope and LOVE. Thanks to the power of the internet, through their blog they were able to make a difference for so many as Tammy related their struggle to all who would read. We sat at the funeral yesterday and listened to those who spoke of Bryce's life, especially the last 100 days. The final mission of his life was so short, and so profound. 
The thought came, "Can I make a difference in the world?" We thought of how to further honor the life of Bryce D. Brown. The idea... extend the mission another 100 days. The hope is to fill each of these days with love for one another. We should not have to wait until death is staring us in the face to love and appreciate those around us. We were touched by the words of Tammy as she learned from the challenges she faced each day, "How many of us screw up because it’s fun and feels good, regardless of the consequences of our actions? How many of us treat others in a manner which we would be furious or hurt if we were treated the same way? Were any of you a jerk to a family member or friend today, hurt somebody, cheated on your mate, stolen from somebody—the list is endless. How about “little” things, like driving like an idiot, giving somebody the cold shoulder, planting lettuce seeds in somebody’s immaculate flower bed or forking somebody’s lawn? Would you have done that if you knew your life would end tonight? My guess would be NO. I challenge you—no, I DARE you—to act as if today could be your last day. Forgive a grudge. Help a stranded motorist. Make a new friend, and stay close to the friends you already have (guilty!). Forget about “status”. Love one another! Keep your family intact. Be NICE—it goes pretty far!! Remember that life is short, and not worth feeling angry or depressed. Live each day with dignity and hope. We are ALL blessed with opportunity—what will you make of it? My sister said something to me the other day that really made me think—'Helping others is great, but how many of us would truly inconvenience ourselves to assist somebody else?'"
The thought came, "Can I make a difference in the world?" We thought of how to further honor the life of Bryce D. Brown. The idea... extend the mission another 100 days. The hope is to fill each of these days with love for one another. We should not have to wait until death is staring us in the face to love and appreciate those around us. We were touched by the words of Tammy as she learned from the challenges she faced each day, "How many of us screw up because it’s fun and feels good, regardless of the consequences of our actions? How many of us treat others in a manner which we would be furious or hurt if we were treated the same way? Were any of you a jerk to a family member or friend today, hurt somebody, cheated on your mate, stolen from somebody—the list is endless. How about “little” things, like driving like an idiot, giving somebody the cold shoulder, planting lettuce seeds in somebody’s immaculate flower bed or forking somebody’s lawn? Would you have done that if you knew your life would end tonight? My guess would be NO. I challenge you—no, I DARE you—to act as if today could be your last day. Forgive a grudge. Help a stranded motorist. Make a new friend, and stay close to the friends you already have (guilty!). Forget about “status”. Love one another! Keep your family intact. Be NICE—it goes pretty far!! Remember that life is short, and not worth feeling angry or depressed. Live each day with dignity and hope. We are ALL blessed with opportunity—what will you make of it? My sister said something to me the other day that really made me think—'Helping others is great, but how many of us would truly inconvenience ourselves to assist somebody else?'"We believe in synergy... the power of many. We know we are limited in our capacity for love right now. There are many out there that are so good at it, and we are thankful for their examples. So the challenge is this: For 100 days strive to increase our love for all we come in contact with. For all who join us in this challenge, please post your comments on your thoughts, ideas, struggles, and successes. Strive to be more aware and grateful for how others have shown love to you. Post these as well and help inspire us all to have greater love.
We hope to make a difference, just as Bryce and Tammy have made a difference in our lives during the 100 days of their challenge. Please join with us.
27 comments:
What a great idea. I've decided that I'm going to be a better neighbor. I see my neighbors outside a lot but I'm always too busy to run over and say "Hey. How are you"? Nobody is too busy to do that. This will be one of the many things I'm going to do to show more love. Thanks guys.
I am so proud of Bryce's legacy, and I'm honored to be part of it. What a beautiful tribute, and what a selfless, perfect way to begin Bryce's new life! Thank you so much for "getting it" and for being part of the growing wave of GOOD people. I vow to begin my 100 days the way Bryce would himself. First, to be happy, because it is a choice, not a condition. Also, to seek out the weak, the lonely,the shy--the "underdog"--and make them feel like they have a new best friend. I have lost the love of my life and my best friend, but his spirit lives on. Thank you for making it possible.
I have a neighbor that drives a circuitous route through the neighborhood every time she comes home from an errand. She listens for promptings of who she might serve that day. My goal is to do a service to someone every day for 100 days, whether it be dropping off a goody at someone's home, calling someone I feel could use a friendly 'hello', or complimenting someone on a job well done. The list is endless. Thank you, Nathan, for spearheading such a worthwhile and needful cause.
-Marian
Yesterday after the funeral, I went back to work. I came home in the midst of backed up, stop-and-go traffic, definitely remembering why I take the bus. There is a spot on Beck Street in Salt Lake where the far right lane ends, and I always get so irritated right there because instead of getting over early, people wait until the last minute and force their way into traffic. Normally, I get very frustrated and don't let people in. But yesterday, something was different. Feeling inspired by Bryce, and touched by the spirit of the meeting, I changed my attitude. I let a few cars in, and didn't say a word about it. Better yet, I didn't even let myself THINK about being irritated. I gently waved them in, and continued my commute. This is a big step for me. Thank you for this website, and for Bryce's website. Thank you for helping me BE better.
-Katie
What a beautifully fitting tribute! You all are great friends. I will spread the word on my blog...
Warm regards from Texas -
Carrie
What a great idea. I will also spread the word on my blog. My family is one of two LDS families in my entire town. My goal is to get more involved in my community and to teach by example. Thank you for the inspiration.
Patti in Wisconsin
I have been following Bryce's story via his website. What an amazing family they are! I have found so much hope and inspiration through their story. I am so excited about this challenge over the next 100 days. At the times in our lives when we seem to be most overwhelmed and when everyday life is bogging you down, sit down, relax and stay quite for just a few seconds. The quite sound that you hear will be that of LOVE. Love from someone thinking about you, a family member, friend or our Father in Heaven. Feeling loved and appreciated with help you reciprocate that same feeling to someone else. I am challenging myself to do exactly this. Show and express my love more often to the people that mean the most to me. I often have a hard time expressing myself to people that mean a lot to me. I'm working on that, starting TODAY! Thanks again, Bryce, Tammy,Dani and families for your amazing strenght, courage and love. You guys have inspired so many people; many of us whom you don't even know. You're amazing, my thoughts and prayers are with you!
Tammy,
I went to high school with you and Bryce. I always remember Bryce being someone that would say "hi" to me, even after high school. He didn't care what I looked like or if I was cool enough, he just wanted to be your friend. I know that he had a challenging life and that's what makes his journey so real! He tackled everything head on and gave his zest for life to you and his new baby! May it live on forever, until reunited in the heavens.
Your story has and is inspring many...begining with me. I have always tanned in tanning beds and I don't think that I could ever go back after reading this. Perhaps you have just saved one life by sharing this story.
Thank you and god bless you with happiness and peace.
Je'Tame!
I did not know Bryce but I have friends who knew him. I have been tracking his story and have been inspired by the family and the incredible strength and faith. I have been looking into ways I can quit my job and work in fields that help people and alleviate their suffering. Thanks for your wonderful message.
Bryce has been a strength and inspiration to me in life, in sickness and in death. After the funeral I thought about how great it would be to have left this life knowing you have fulfilled and overcome the challenges and purposes our Heavenly had given you. To be able to return with honor, being worthy to stand in the grace of the Savior. After all, isn't that what it's all about? My goal in the next 100 days is to is to bring myself closer to the Savior by being a better husband and father. By being more kind, patient, loving and understanding to my wife and children. Bryce and Tammy, thanks for your strength and example!
Administrator- thanks for getting rid of those. My stomach turned inside out when I read them.
Mikey
I have grown to love both Tammy and Bryce. They have touched so many lives and I pledge to continue to "pay it forward". If I can do something for someone, I will stop and do it. No one is to busy not to help at least one person everyday.
Love ya Tammy.
I've never met Tammy or Bryce but linked to their blog through that of a friend of mine that is also fighting melanoma. This is the sweetest effort in the world. Today, my husband and I were stranded with a bad battery in my car. Both of us have been feeling a little down and negative lately and this was just one more thing. Out of the blue, two of the sweetest gentlemen stopped and offered help. Just that one little thing and their sweet personalities restored so much positive thoughts in both of us. It's just something that small that can affect all of us. I will do my best over the next 100 days and beyond to be that person to others. And, I wil do so with the spirit of Bryce! God Bless you all!
Hi,
I ran across Bryce Brown's blog through the MPIP. I'm an early stage melanoma survivor, checking my moles and strusggling with the fear of this this disease one day at a time. I believe your 100 days of love is the kick in the butt I need to help me stop obsessing about all the bad things that might happen and start appreciating all the good things going on around me all the time. So...
100 Days of Love
Day 1: Tonight I shut my mouth and opened my ears when my son was trying to tell me about a rough day he'd had in school. It turns out he didn't need me to solve his problems for him. He just needed me to care. And I did and I do. Thank you Bryce and Tammy for teaching me the value of lovingmy kids today.
Love,
anon in nd
I'm in!! Tammy, you and Bryce are everything I want to be in life. I love you more than words can say. You're family to me. But that's not the point-- In the next 100 days, I will be courteous to all I encounter. I will practice patience with others. I tend to think evveryone in the world should operate at the same speed I do, but I know that's not alway the case.
Tammy, I love you, and I love your family. You inspire me beyond what you'll ever know. I think of Bryce and you and your example, pretty much constantly. Amazing doesn't begin to desribe you.
~Christy
I went to school with both of you. Tammy, we were in the same class and I feel so inspired to try harder to keep in touch with old friends. I think that it is awful that most of us wait until tragic or miraculous circumstances to get togeather. I did not learn of your struggles until tonight at a trick or treating event, where I saw an old friend who informed me of the funeral services yesterday. I have been reading the whole thing since I put my three babies in bed at 8:00 tonight. I am so impressed by the strenght and class that you have shown. I will absolutly join the challenge and humbly acknowledge that I need to adjust my hot-headed-firecracker-sassy-attitude for a start. For me the challenge will start in my own home and I will teach my sweet children (by example) that Love is Meek and it is Kind. It is not harsh or impatient, which is how I tend to be more often than I like to admit. I adore my children and my dear husband, and learning of your story has been a total reality check and inspiration.
I wish that I could offer you a comforting thought, but at this time I am sure that your own thoughts will drown out anything that I would or could say, but...
I lost my brother in a tragic accident almost seven years ago, but it was sudden, unexpected and we only had a week from the time of the accident until his passing. During that week he was never consious. As a family we made the decision to remove his life support, a decision that can obviously cause a little bit of guilt. Was my faith not enough to heal him? Were my prayers not loud enough to be heard in the heavens? Should we have given it more time? It is not a question of faith or lack of, it is not a question of prayers or lack of, it is not a question of time or lack of, it was simply Gods Will. I still don't know why. I have no answers although I still ask many questions. I know that we are not tested beyond our capacity while here on this earth, yet as I look back there is no way that could have gotten through that time without being carried through it on wings of angels, those I could see and those I could not see. I look at myself today and wonder if I could go through it again? No! Absolutly not is my answer. That is why I believe in angels that is why I believe in our Father and in His Son, my brother Jesus Christ. This is why I Beleive in anything at all. Angels carried me, and they continuously carry me. They carry little ol' me through my day to day struggles and through my endless drama. They carry me through regret and sorrow. And I am sure that they laugh at the small things that get to me, infact, I am sure that sometimes it is them playing jokes on me half of the time. Anyway...
My prayers are with you tonight. Just allow yourself to be carried because it feels wonderful to fly on the wings of angels.
The inspiration of Bryce and Tammy is there for all of us. I know that they will continue to inspire many people. Thank-you for the example. I am vowing to keep others needs in mind more than mine. Isn't that the way of the Savior?
I am following the pay it forward. It is a wonderful idea to spread love. Hopefully I can keep it going in Georgia
Count us in. We have already been inspired by the love between Bryce and Tammy, and have been honored to share it via the internet. Thanks for including the world!
I know you don't know me, but I stumbled upon your blog. I just want to thank you for your strength and courage which you show. Just by reading your thoughts it makes me want to be a better person. I hold my husband more closer, and think how blessed we truly are. Thank you for sharing your story! I will take the challenge and show my love more to those around me!
Thank you for this wonderful challenge. It's a sad thing that I need a challenge in order to be a nicer person, but so be it. I appreciate the challenge and can think of no nobler time of the year for it. And if it is in Bryce's name, all the better!!
The tricky thing in this wonderful 100 day is to forgive. It's easy to be wonderful, but how easy is to forgive the cheating spouse, the person who put lettuce seeds in your yard or the person who took your good name down to lift them up and make things seem not quite so bad on thier part?? Forgiving makes us free for giving!!! yeah!!
When we fail to forgive, we fail to give. It becomes increasingly more difficult for us to reach beyond ourselves because we become more self-centered and more focused on our own hurts rather than on healing the hurts of others. This in turn prevents us from obtaining the joy, blessings and spritiual growth that comes only from service. Thus we find ourselves in a vicious downward cycle which we can only break by freeing ourselves from the ties of "bitterness that bind us ever tighter" LET US ALL LET GO AND SERVE ON ANOTHER!!! THANK YOU FOR THE NEXT 100 DAY'S AND WHAT A WONDERFUL TIME OF YEAR TO HAVE A 100 DAY'S OF GIVING. MAY IT ALL LAST A LOT LONGER THAN THAT!! BRYCE I'M SURE IS LOOKING DOWN AND BEAMING WITH PRIDE OF ALL HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS. MAY COMFORT AND PEACE BE WITH HIS FAMILY AT THIS TIME. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR PRAYERS AND THANKS AGAIN FOR MAKING THE WORLD A LOT BETTER PLACE FOR BRYCE BEING IN IT.
After reading your post I reached out and called my younger brother. We had been so close over the years - up until my mel diagnosis. I was so hurt by his lack of action over the past couple of years. I called him and it felt GOOD. Thanks for the push to do that.
you have touched the lives of many and helped us more than you will ever imagine..thank you!...Debbie, stage 1a
I am so excited to take this challenge. I think it is so important to take time to serve each day, but I just don't do it enough. Thanks Tammy for being so strong. I love reading your inspiring messages. I hope Steff gave you a hug from me.
i did not know him but miss sellers says hes a great guy so i am going to do the 100 days just for her
Okay, I know I'm a little late, and I don't know Bryce, but my drama teacher Miss Sellers aka Lindsey told us about this and I think it's an amazing idea. I'm so in. You people are amazing. Way to go!
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