Sunday Inspiration: Kindness Rocks

kindness rocks

“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” -Princess Diana

When we send our children off to school in the morning, we expect them to receive an education. But aren’t we thankful when they also receive lessons in kindness?

This week my local paper, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, had a front page article entitled School of Rocks. And no, it wasn’t about rock and roll. Instead the message was that “kindness rocks.”

It’s a great story. A local teacher brought her fourth grade class a box of small flat rounded rocks and invited the students to paint them to look like fish. If you look at the photos in the article, you’ll see they created some real beauties.

That’s not the best part. Then she asked them to take the rocks different places, like the mall or a baseball field, and leave them as a gift for whomever might pick them up. The kids don’t do this for credit, no oohs and aahs, but simply as a random act of kindness. What they get is the pleasure of knowing they’ve given someone a gift of beauty to brighten their day.

Can we think of a more important lesson than that?

9 Comments

  1. Terry Guerra on October 22, 2017 at 3:40 am

    Love this idea – have seen it mentioned on the news recently from different parts of the country. A win-win!

  2. Joni on October 22, 2017 at 6:53 am

    Yesterday I delivered a quilt to a friend that had kidney cancer surgery! I left it with her husband – she has tried multiple times to get me but apparently I’m busy & not cooperating with her calls!
    She is absolutely stunned that I did this for her!!

    • Emilie Richards on October 22, 2017 at 1:54 pm

      What a lovely gift. I know she appreciated it so much.

      • Nancy Lepri on October 22, 2017 at 2:28 pm

        They do something like this in my little town too, and the ones that find these are thrilled. I think it’s a great way to brighten someone’s day!

  3. Kathy on October 22, 2017 at 2:36 pm

    My grandchildren found similar rocks in our community while watching sporting events. A simple painted rock spreading delight, kindness and joy! Let’s keep this movement going!

  4. Edythe and Samuel Newman on October 22, 2017 at 6:35 pm

    What a neat and beautiful idea. More adults and children should do that. Today I went to A.C. Moore in our area and couldn’t use my 60% off coupon that was only good for today. I left it with the cashier to give to someone who comes in line who doesn’t have the coupon. My item was already on sale so I couldn’t use the coupon anyway.

  5. Donalene Poduska on October 22, 2017 at 8:26 pm

    A nurse at one of my doctor’s offices told me about this summer. She had spent the weekend painting rocks with her daughters and son; they have a lot of rocks behind their house next to a stream. They thought that they would have fun placing them around various places. She said that had found several that were miniature works of art!

  6. Laurie I on October 22, 2017 at 9:45 pm

    A little kindness can go so far. What a great idea, and the kids did such a beautiful job painting the rocks. So creative. This is news we love to hear in this day and age.

  7. Martha O'Quinn on October 23, 2017 at 6:51 am

    My niece who lives on the Tampa side of Florida has been a part of a community of artists who have done this for some time. She is an accomplished artist herself but delights in finding rocks from anyone. Some she passes along, some she displays around her home. All prompt a smile. One of many ways to pay it forward.

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