When the world feels hostile, when outrage is everywhere, and when even small disagreements seem to erupt into full-blown conflict—it’s easy to feel helpless, hardened, or just plain exhausted. In this powerful talk, my friend Matthew Legge offers a surprising, hopeful path forward through the practice of active nonviolence. Based on his real-world experience, Matthew…
Mental health is about more than just struggles. It’s about the full range of emotions we all experience, from the highs to the lows and everything in between. You matter. Your mental health matters. Acknowledge your feelings, no matter what they are. It’s okay to not feel okay. Life has its ups and downs, and…
The workplace can often feel like a pressure cooker with deadlines, high expectations, and the need for constant collaboration. In these environments, it’s easy for emotions to run high, and without the right tools, those emotions can derail productivity. Think about the best team you’ve ever been a part of. What made it great? Chances…
Every year, we have the profound honor of awarding the Amber Bell Scholarship to a Growing Kindness Ambassador who embodies Amber’s legacy of generosity, resilience, and the unwavering desire to share kindness—no matter the challenges they face. Amber Bell was a beloved member of our Growing Kindness Ambassador Team, known for her boundless spirit of…
The start of the school year brings bright bulletin board displays, new school supplies, shiny floors, and clean desks. The set-up of a classroom is pretty, but for the best learning environment, the first six weeks of school are a time to slowly weave social-emotional learning into the day, establish connections with students, build a…
Sometimes the hardest part of giving is just knowing where to begin. You’ve gathered your flowers, printed your bouquet tags, and you’re ready to share some beauty and kindness—but then you pause.Who do I give to? Where do I go? What if I don’t know someone who needs this? Here’s the beautiful truth: you don’t…
The Ripple Effect of Kindness in Schools When students take part in kindness, it can create a snowball effect that transforms the entire school culture. As a principal, I turned World Kindness Day into a week-long celebration. Each day had a specific theme with activities promoting kindness, from dress-up days, hidden notes of kindness, service…
A simple guide to creating simple, meaningful bouquets—right from where you are. Remember what Arthur Ashe once said? “Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can.” That’s the heart of the Give Two Challenge—it’s not about perfection, extravagance, or having a picture-perfect cutting garden. It’s about sharing what you do…
In a world filled with bustling schedules and endless distractions, nothing brings families and classes together quite like storytelling. On my YouTube channel, “Storytime with Nonna – Kindness and Stories,” parents/caregivers and teachers can find a treasure trove of tales that spark imagination, social emotional learning skills, adventure and fun. There is magic in storytelling,…
We always mention Self-care and it’s important for us to care about ourselves first. But one particular category of people we don’t talk about self-care is parents. Why are parents not given attention? Why do we forget such important people in our lives? Parents should care for themselves too. Why self-care is needed, particularly now…