Worldwide kindness movement comes to Truro

As Megan Murphy walked along a beach in Cape Cod she came across heart-shaped rocks laying in the sand. She saw them as positive messages from her parents, who died when she was in her early twenties.

The Massachusetts woman returned home and decorated rocks with bright patterns and supportive messages before scattering them on the beach. She hoped to brighten someone’s day once they were found.

With that, the Kindness Rocks Project was born.

“It’s basically a grassroots kindness movement,” said Murphy.

She now makes a living travelling across the U.S. and Canada speaking at events about fostering kindness, women’s empowerment and creativity.

The Colchester- East Hants Public Library recently hosted its own take on the Kindness Rocks Project. Murphy didn’t attend the event herself but communicated with the organizers over social media as she prepared for upcoming events in Ohio and New York.

“It’s not about me, I try to empower people in the community,” Murphy said.

Students from the Truro Futureworx Society were invited to attend the event and create their own kindness rocks to spread positivity throughout the community.

Themes of self-love and selfcare from the class were integrated into the artistic projects, resulting in brightly coloured rocks decorated with words like “you are loved” and “keep your head up when feeling down.”

“At the library we try to focus on fostering connections and inspiring people, which made Kindness Rocks a great fit,” said library CEO Tiffany Bartlett.

The library isn’t planning another Kindness Rocks event anytime soon, but will continue to host events encouraging kindness.

“It’s all about paying it forward,” said Bartlett. “The idea that one message at just the right time can change someone’s whole day.”