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Well, the KRC ‘Acts of Kindness’ Auction is over, and it was a huge success! People from all over the world ‘bid’ on six of the dresses I designed, sewed and wore at keynotes last year. But they didn’t ‘bid’ with money! They ‘bid’ with Acts of Kindness! Acts of Kindness like rescuing a dog whose owner passed away, giving their bicycle to someone in need, and making toiletry kits to keep in the car to give to homeless people they pass. So today I’m excited to announce the winners of the dresses:

1. Tamara Maslova, Russia

2. Janet M. Pendexter, AAI, AOC, USA

3. Sandra Alvarado, Colombia

4. Nora Lucia Martinez, Argentina

5. Stéfany Oliver, Canada

6. Alyssa Wiedenheft, USA

Congratulations, and thank you for your kindness! Because of it, it’s not just you who are ‘winning’…it’s the people you help, and the rest of us, as you create a kinder world. One Act of Kindness at a time! And, of course, this year’s KRC ‘Acts of Kindness’ Auction is over…but I’m still sewing…so if you didn’t win a dress this time, there is always next year to look forward to! And plenty of time for many, many acts of kindness! Love, kindness and thanks to all! 💚❤️

Would you like to win a dress that I designed and sewed myself?! I’ve had so many requests for my dresses, that I’ve decided to auction some of the ones that I created in 2019! The auction starts on Monday, January 6, 2020…and winners will be announced on Monday, January 27, 2020!

But the auction I’m holding isn’t a regular auction!

It’s an “Acts of Kindness” Auction!

What does that mean? It means that to ‘win’ one of my dresses, you won’t be ‘bidding’ with money…you’ll be committing to “Acts of Kindness” that you will be doing if you win the dress! Why aren’t I auctioning off my dresses for money? Because that would be exclusive! Those with more money would have a better chance of winning! But here’s the great thing! Kindness is a wonderful equalizer! Because it doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, what you believe, or what your financial situation is…there is ALWAYS something kind you can do for someone else!

To see all the dresses you can ‘bid’ on, and to enter, please click here and follow the instructions!

You can ‘bid’ on as many dresses as you would like…each just has to have a different Act of Kindness in your entry!

All dresses are hand-made, and (just like me!) imperfect! All will fit American women’s dress sizes Medium and Large.

Last night it was our sewing studio’s Holiday party! My teacher asked me to bring some of the dresses I designed and sewed recently – so here they are – the 2019 KRC (Karyn Ross Couture) collection! Near the end of the party, one of the ladies asked if she could try on the long yellow and black floral dress (I created it to speak in Belgrade, Serbia.) “Of course”, I said! So she did! And it fit her perfectly! “I wish I had one just like this”, she said. “I really, really love it!” And looking at her, I could see that she really did! So….I gave it to her! “Please take it home! You look really beautiful in it! And wear it for Christmas or New Years! In exchange, please just do an act of kindness for someone else!”

And that gave me an idea! In early January, I’m going to ‘auction’ off some of the dresses I’ve created in the last year and a half. But not for ‘money’. For acts of kindness. Because money isn’t the only (and most important thing) we have to give to others. Our time, talents, creativity and caring are. So, keep your eye out for a post in the first week of January about how my ‘auction’! Everyone is eligible…and all proceeds will benefit The Love and Kindness Project Foundation, the people you help…and, of course you!

#sewing #helping #holidays #kindness

People often ask me if traveling so much makes me tired! It doesn’t! In fact, it’s the opposite! Traveling gives me energy! Do you know why? Because I get to meet so many fabulous people! And, I get to spread love and kindness wherever I go! Yesterday, I gave Love and Kindness buttons to:

1. TSA Officer giving stickers to children as they went through security
2. TSA Officer dancing with children after security
3. Young man who lifted down an older lady’s suitcase without being asked
4. Lady whose suitcase was lifted down (she asked for one)!
5. Lady who was sitting beside her who also asked for one…and then broke into tears when I gave her one!
6. Two owners of the beautiful restaurant in Belgrade that I had dinner at last night
7. Server who helped me choose a special Serbian dessert at a cafe in Belgrade City Center 
8. Innkeeper at the wonderful floating hotel I’m staying at! So, wherever you are today, whatever you’re doing, (even if you don’t have buttons to give out), take the time to look around you and acknowledge kindness! With love and kindness from Belgrade! Karyn #love #kindness #serbia

“Why do we think about ‘being successful’ as having money?” That’s a question I’ve been asking myself a lot lately. Because it seems to me that often, success is automatically equated with how much money a person makes – or has. When my kids were growing up, people would ask me, “What do you want them to be as adults?!” “Caring, kind and responsible”, is what I would always answer! Because, for me, there are a million (at least) ways to be successful…and none of them have to do with making money.

They have to do with caring for people, animals and our world, with helping others become better people, family members, friends, colleagues and workers, and creating a better world, now and for the future. For me, that’s my definition of success. What’s yours!? (And in case you are wondering, my children are now grown. My son works in a restaurant. My daughter is studying to become a social worker. Both are caring, kind and responsible. And I couldn’t be prouder!) #love #kindness #purpose

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