Author Archives: karynross

Arrived home from the Lean Summit Colombia last night, and here’s what I’ve been reflecting on ever since. Often, when talking about the future, we say “The world is changing.” But I don’t think that’s the right way for us to frame it. Because what’s really happening is that we are changing the world. Each of us. Every single day. Every single moment.

With every decision we make (or don’t)…with every action we take (or don’t)…with every person we help (or don’t) and with every word we speak (kindly or unkindly). We aren’t just passive acceptors of the world around us, and of our collective future. We’re all active creators.

So, my question for you today (and every day) is: What kind of future are you creating for all of us? And if you haven’t thought about creating the future in this way before, right now is a great time to start! #creativity #future #youcan

Last week, something amazing happened! Linda Moses, and a fabulous group of students from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY, helped me turn an idea I had into reality! They created a “Kindness Stand”, and gave out Love and Kindness Buttons, bracelets and more, and talked to everyone passing by about the importance of kindness, and what they could do to spread kindness everyday! At least seventy people stopped by, and local businesses contributed treats to give out!

Everyone had fun, and we learned a lot about next steps to turn my idea of having retired people host Kindness Stands in communities around the world! Everything is possible! We just have to figure out how to do it! And the best way to figure it out? Give it a try!

So, huge thanks to the fabulous Linda Moses for organizing and creating the Kindness Stand, Natasha Edwards, Romario Thomas, Shiela Muturi and Margaret Burbano (from the very kind St. Francis College) for helping Linda, and to Richard Moses for the wonderful photos! And, of course, if you know anyone who’d like to host a Kindness Stand in your community, let me know! #love #kindness #ideas #purpose

Last night I was at the fabric store buying some material to add to the skirt of the dress I’m making. There was a mom and her young daughter waiting in line at the fabric counter in front of me. As I was waiting my turn, I couldn’t help overhearing their conversation: “What you put in is what you’ll get out,” the mom said. “I know it’s a lot of extra work, and a lot of extra effort, and it’s frustrating that we need to start the jacket again.

But it’s okay, because in the end, what you put in is what you’ll get out.” And you know what? That mom is right! Because even though it’s not always easy to put in the needed effort, to take the time to be patient and caring and kind, whatever you’re doing (at work and home), and wherever you are, even though you might not see it immediately, what you put in – positive or negative – is what you’ll get out. And not only will you be the recipient of ‘what you put in’, just like the daughter of the mom in the fabric store, so will those around you!

So today, as you go about whatever you’re doing, please think carefully about “what you’re putting in”…! Because, in the end, it’s what you, and everyone around you, will “get out”! (And yes, don’t worry! I gave both the mom and daughter a Love and Kindness Button!!) #kindness #purpose #effort

When I was growing up, my mother used to say, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything!” Maybe your mother said it too! I’m sure you agree with it in theory…but do you and your organization practice it? As I travel around the world, one of the things I’ve noticed lately is how unkindly people speak to – and of – each other…” What a stupid request that was…she should already know how to do that…” or “dumbest meeting I’ve ever been in…how could he have wasted all our time…”

I’ve seen passengers yell at gate and flight attendants…and people making rude remarks to each other on the street. Problem is, this creates a negative, unpleasant world for all of us! The speaker, the person being spoken to, and those overhearing. So, my challenge to you this week, is to speak only kind words. In any (and every) situation! If you need to correct someone, use kind words to do it. If you really need to criticize someone (and do you really need to?), then please put the ‘constructive’ back in ‘constructive criticism’.

Working on not saying anything that isn’t nice is something that I practice daily. It’s one of the ways I’m working on creating a kinder world. Please join my challenge this week. Post your stories with #yourkindword! #love #kindness #LoveB4money

On Friday, I was on my way home from two weeks of traveling. I had a terrible cold and I was tired. (Yes, I get tired too!) I was looking forward to some quiet time before my flight, when all of a sudden, an airport worker (she was emptying trash cans) came up to me and said, “Can I talk with you a minute?” So, we spent some time chatting.

Her husband had recently passed away and she told me about how she was learning and growing from that difficult experience. I gave her a Love and Kindness Button, and was about to sit back down when I heard someone else say, “Wait a minute! Can I talk with you too?” An older gentleman and his wife, originally from Chicago, were on their way to celebrate their grandson’s second birthday in Alaska! So I chatted with them, and gave them a copy of Big Karma and Little Kosmo Help Each Other for their grandson. Then it was time to board my flight! And what I thought about the whole way home was that one kind word goes such a long way.

Although it might seem small to you, it actually can – and does – change the world. Not just for the person who receives it, but also for the person who speaks it! I’m starting the new hashtag #yourkindword. Speak kindly, and post your stories of kindness using it. We’ll change the world! #kindness #love #loveB4money

Something really amazing happened at the end of Wednesday, World Kindness Day! I’ve been reflecting on it ever since, so I’m going to share it with you. I was traveling from Chicago to Ottawa, Canada on Wednesday! (And yes, on my first flight I convinced the cabin crew to announce World Kindness Day! But that’s not the most amazing thing…) When I got to Toronto, I found my flight to Ottawa was cancelled (again – happened last trip too!) and I was rebooked two hours later.

By the time o got to Ottawa, I was quite tired…and doing my best not to feel grumpy and frustrated. Then, as I waited for my luggage, the amazing thing happened!! I was treated to the site of three refugee families arriving, and being met in the airport, by a large group of people waving handmade signs and celebrating!! And I thought to myself…what could be a better end to World Kindness Day?? And I would have missed it if I’d been on my original flight. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day details and be grumpy and frustrated…and lose sight of what really matters…Kindness, caring for others, and making a better world!

So if you’re feeling tired, grumpy and frustrated at work or home today, stop. Look around and remember what’s really important! #love #kindness #purpose #success

Did you know that November 13^th was World Kindness Day??!!! It is! And I’m sure you are thinking, “That must be Karyn’s favorite day!” But you know what I’m thinking?? I’m thinking that needing a special day to remind us to be kind is great…but also a problem. Because, in truth, being kind to people, animals and our world is something that we should be doing…and celebrating…every day. Every single day. Because no matter who we are, what we believe, as long as we treat each other, (and all the other inhabitants of our amazing earth) kindly, the world will be okay!

So today, I’m asking you to challenge yourself to think kindly, speak kindly, act and react kindly in whatever situation you are…as the beginning…or deepening…of an active, daily kindness practice. And please ask everyone you know to do the same. That’s what I’ll be doing today. Practicing kindness. Because every day is World Kindness Day! #kindness #purpose #love #youcan

On Saturday, September 7th, Big Karma, Little Kosmo and I had a great time at our Back-to-School Kindness Event at Oswald’s Pharmacy + Medical Equipment in Naperville, Illinois! We read Big Karma and Little Kosmo Help Each Other, made Kindness Kards with kids, and gave away Love and Kindness Buttons and stickers! All for free! One of the things I noticed – and I’ve noticed it quite often – is that people have a hard time understanding that there’s no charge for the buttons, stickers (or any of our Foundation items), and that we don’t ask for anything in return! “What do you mean they’re free”, people ask skeptically? “You must be raising money for something. This has got to be a fundraiser of some sort…” But it’s not.

It’s a Kindness Raiser! And there’s no cost because there are just simply some things that are more important than money, and that money isn’t the right exchange value for. And kindness is one of them. So, today, please think about all the things that you have to “give” – including acts of kindness (deliberate and random) – that don’t involve money! Because Kindness really is free! And you will always get back more than you give! (And if you’d like to host your own “Kindness Raiser” in your area, just contact me at karyn@loveandkindnessproject.org and ! I’ll send you everything you need! For free!

The other day, I was talking with the head of learning and development at a major, multi-national organization. We were discussing the idea I had for a program to practice kindness in the workplace when he asked “Why would you want to create a program for kindness at work? Wouldn’t it be better to focus on children instead? Then they would become kind adults! Don’t you think it’s too late once people reach adulthood and go to work?” I was quite surprised by his question, and, actually, I disagree that we should focus first on teaching kindness to children Why? Because adults are the ones who role model and teach children everything they know! Including kindness! And where do adults spend most of their waking life??? At work!! So, if you ask me, work is one of the best places to focus on (and practice) kindness! If you’re an organization (or work in one) focusing on, and practicing, kindness is easy! And to make it even easier, I’ve created these 5 Easy Steps to a Kinder Workplace!

1. Remember, people aren’t perfect…That includes both customers, and those who serve them! And they don’t need to be! So, when they make mistakes, be kind to them! You make mistakes too!
2. Assume ‘positive intent’ 99% of people come to work to do the best job possible, in the best way possible! However, all sorts of problems occur that prevent them from doing so…why!? Because they aren’t perfect! So, assume positive intent!
3. Think about – and speak about – your customers – and colleagues – in ‘human’ ‘terms’ We have a tendency to talk about our customers and colleagues using non-human words…(New accounts, tickets…HR department…Sales Zone 3…to name a few) and that turns them into ‘things’. And when we think of our very human, imperfect customers as ‘inhuman ‘things’ like numbers, it’s easy to forget to be kind!
4. Put yourself in your customers’…and colleagues’…shoes…!! When you need to make a decision about what to do, please ‘decide ‘kindly’ by thinking about how you would feel if the situation was happening to you! If you wouldn’t like to be treated in a certain way…your customer, and colleague…probably wouldn’t think it’s kind either!
5. Remember, service means putting the needs of others’ before your own! It’s easy to think of ourselves – and how things affect US – first! Humans have big egos! (Maybe one of our imperfections?) Oftentimes, kindness means putting others needs before our own! For example, letting someone else go first! Letting someone else have their say…and listening without interrupting and/or disagreeing! Doing what’s best for a customer even if it might be inconvenient for us!

Knowing the 5 Easy Steps to a Kinder Workplace is a great start, but your workplace won’t becomes kinder without putting the steps into deliberate – and daily – practice! What does that mean? Deliberate means we choose one of these focus areas each day, and dedicate time to practicing it!
Example: Monday: People aren’t perfect

• Practice: Every time a customer or colleague makes an error, instead of being frustrated and complaining, go and ask how you could help them!
• Start with doing this one time a day, and build up to more!
• Remember, deliberate practice helps us build habits!

As you can see, focusing on, and practicing, kindness isn’t just for children! It’s for everyone! And when you deliberately practice kindness in the workplace, not only will you create a kinder workplace for your customers and your team, but people will take what they learn and experience home: to their children and families, to their communities, cities, and country. And that will make a kinder world for all of us! Karyn