Author Archives: karynross

It’s Saturday! My Creativity Day! I’m super excited because my new Vote For Kindness yard signs were delivered yesterday! I put one up in my yard, and I’ve already had a number of neighbors stop by to ask for one! That makes me super happy! You might be asking yourself, “It’s your Creativity Day! Why are you posting about kindness? What do Creativity and Kindness have do with each other?” A lot! Creating a kinder world is a huge part of my purpose! So I’m using my creativity intentionally to do that: coming up with the idea for a #VoteForKindness ‘campaign’, designing the actual signs, and creating fun ways to involve people in the campaign (like this photo with me and Big Karma – everyone loves a dog picture!) As human beings, we’re all creative! And we can use our creativity to solve problems like climate crisis, poverty, and systemic racism. And to create a kinder world. That’s what I’m doing on my Creativity Day! How about you?
#Creativity #Kindness #problemsolving

The Love and Kindness Project Foundation is proud to sponsor COVID-19 Parent University, a series of one-hour online learning forums and connected communities to bring parents and teachers together to create kind, positive, remote learning experiences. COVID-19 Parent University is the brainchild of our very own Foundation Secretary Alefiyah Tawawalla, and led by collaboratively and cooperatively by parents and teachers working together.

The first one took place on Monday, August 31, 2020. You can download a copy of the Powerpoint here:

COVID -19 Parent University

We will keep you updated on future dates that you will be able to attend a COVID-19 Parent University session in person!

My friend Matthew Grant shared the quote below that one of his long-term mentors had shared with him: “The secret to happiness is finding a way to be of service to others”. Last night, during The Love and Kindness Project Foundation’s annual general meeting (yes! We are one year old!) the Foundation Directors and I reflected on this, and on all the people who had reached out and asked to help,to be involved, to translate materials like our Tiny Kindness Zine, to host Kindness Events (even online socially distanced ones during the pandemic), to get Helping Circles restarted, to create Instagram and Facebook pages, make bracelets and necklaces, to give out buttons, and countless other kindnesses. Not for money, but for love and kindness. So often we search for the one thing that we are missing that will bring us true happiness, when in fact true happiness will not come from what we ‘get’ but what we ‘give’. So today, to everyone, everywhere serving others, and creating kindness in the world, thank you for helping others and inspiring me!

Today, a reminder to ‘Speak Kindly’! Always! Even if you don’t agree with the person’s idea, opinion, their political beliefs or their cause. We can disagree in a kind and open way, with a respectful tone of voice and non-argumentative posture. Whether you are at home or at work, on the frontlines or the leader of the organization, calling people names, inferring cultural stereotypes and using words to harm is never okay. Our words influence our actions. And the actions of others. Kind words and an open mind and open heart create the conditions for people with differing views to come together to do better. Unkind words and a combative way of communicating with others causes discord and division. We always have a choice in the words we choose to speak, and the manner we choose to speak them in. So choose your words kindly. And if you aren’t sure if your words are kind…don’t say them.

When I was growing up, I came to an important realization: there was always going to be someone ‘better’ than me. At anything. And everything. So there was no need to waste my time and energy trying to ‘be the best’, worrying when I wasn’t, and comparing myself to others. All I needed was to do MY best, in the kindest way possible. Reflecting back, I can see the unbelievable value of that realization on my life today. That realization has allowed me to try many things without worrying about ‘failure’ or about what others will think. And it has allowed me to focus on and be satisfied with my efforts, not just the results. I don’t have to do things the way others do them, and I don’t need to compare my way to theirs. I just need to be me. So, if you’re feeling bad because you’re worried about what will happen if you’re not as good as others, please stop. And stop comparing yourself to others because you are exactly who you are supposed to be. And that’s enough!

How do you define kindness? When I looked it up in the dictionary, it says kindness is ‘the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.’

When I ask people what kindness is, they often describe an act of kindness like holding the door for someone or paying for someone’s coffee in line.

In order to create a kinder world, in which we treat all others as we’d like to be treated ourselves, we need to define what kindness is, not just what ransom acts of kindness look like.

So, what’s your definition of kindness?
How would you describe kindness to someone who doesn’t know what it is or how to be kind?
How can we all practice kindness everywhere, everyday?

Do you know why I post about stuff that doesn’t work out the way I planned? Or that I struggle with? Like my tiny container garden not growing anything last year…and all the time I spend picking out seams I’ve sewn incorrectly…and the two years – and many different attempts – it took to get Women in Lean – Our Table going?! Because most things don’t work out the way you think they are going to on the first try. Most things that look like they are ‘overnight successes’ probably aren’t! They are probably the culmination of multiple tries and PDCA cycles. We just may not see them. Either we’re so focused on the success we see now, or the person doesn’t talk about all the stuff that didn’t work along the way. I want people to see though. Because it’s easy to get discouraged and give up. It’s easy to feel like it’s just simply never going to work out for you…even if it does for others. I want you to know that doesn’t have to be so. Take a deep breath, learn what you can from your previous attempt and try again. And if you know someone who is discouraged (yourself included), remind them that ‘just because it didn’t work out last time, doesn’t mean it won’t work our this time’.

Foundation Director Alefiyah Tawawalla hosted a Backyard Kindness Event! Here what she had to say about it!
“Children are advocates for a kind future. Today a few children and parents from my neighborhood socially distancing ourselves in the backyard painted Love and Kindness rocks and plaques. Each child painted one for their home and the others to be distributed to the neighbors on their street. The kids put one painted Love and Kindness treasure in a Ziploc bag with buttons and stickers to drop off to a neighbor. It was heart warming to see the children laugh, smile, chatter and paint six feet apart to help and create ways to make a kind world to live in.”
Want to spread love and kindness in the world!? And in your neighborhood? Then contact us and we’ll help you get started!
#love #kindness #BackYardKindnessEvent