A National Phenomenon: The Kindness Rocks Movement
A few samples of my painted rocks with words of kindness, encouragement, and affirmation.
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Three years ago, I was chatting with a coworker when I noticed a beautiful painted stone sitting on the corner of her desk. "That's so pretty!" I said. "Thanks," she replied. "I painted it yesterday."
Fascinated, I began to bombard her with questions. How did she paint such a pretty image on a rock? What kind of rock was it? What paints did she use? How did she achieve the fine details? What glaze did she use?
I think I scared her. But, honestly, I was excited. Having always loved pretty little knick-knacks, and being inclined to artistry since attending a fine arts magnet high school, I was drawn to that little painted stone in almost inexplicable way.
The next day, my sweet coworker brought me a couple of small rocks. I ran to Michael's at lunchtime, bought some acrylic paints and brushes, and was ready to begin experimenting with rock painting.
That was the beginning. It marked the starting point of my journey towards perfecting an art and opening an Etsy shop that has been relatively successful. I now have over 400 items in my Alleluia Rocks Shop and I continue to learn new techniques and add unique items frequently.
An example of one of my Mini Rock Painting Kits. This makes it easy to paint a rock of your own!
Fairy early along the journey, I learned of a movement that was catching fire across the country. It's called the KINDNESS ROCKS PROJECT. This is an amazing endeavor created by Megan Murphy, a self-proclaimed "Kindness Activist, Women's Empowerment Coach, Meditation Instructor and Creativity Enthusiast." A beach lover and collector of sea glass and beach rocks, Megan one day wrote words of encouragement on a couple of beach stones and dropped them in random spots on her daily walk. A friend found one and said, "If you did drop this rock, it made my day." Grasping onto the catch phrase "Kindness is Contagious," Megan founded the Kindness Rocks Project.
The goal of the project? Simple: to "connect many" and to "inspire and empower others to join us in creating a kinder world." How is this accomplished? Even simpler: by leaving rocks painted with words of kindness and affirmation in public places for strangers to find.
The movement took off by leaps and bounds. By encouraging people and groups to "leave rocks painted with inspiring messages along the path of life," Megan has drawn thousands of people into her simple plan to make the world a kinder, more caring place.
My sister recently found this rock outside her hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas. Photo credit: Maria Novajosky.
The success of the project is apparent if you visit her website. Across the country, Kindness Rocks groups have officially registered to be a part of the movement. The image of the geotagging map has so many points that the U.S. looks like one big red blob. There is now an actual database of registered Kindness Rocks Groups! And the really great thing about this is that this system can help groups connect with one another. The Kindness multiplies!
I am awed by this amazing project. Something so simple and so basic to nature - the lowly rock - can be elevated to inspirational heights! People are touched by these rocks they find in random places. Just today, my sister texted me a photo of a rock she found outside of her hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas (see photo).
How Can I Participate if I’m Not Artistic??
Many people love to paint their own stones to participate in this amazing endeavor. Some, however want to participate but are daunted by anything artistic. My mother, for example. She would love to drop a rock or two along the canal trail where she takes regular walks, but she doesn’t think she has the skills to paint rocks.