The incredible stories of kindness from strangers that flooded in when Naomi Lambert hid kindness cards in the lead up to Christmas 2017, was the inspiration behind her founding a global kindness movement.
“Did you know” Naomi Lambert asks? “That Harvard University has instigated a kindness pledge which reads; As we begin at Harvard, we commit to upholding the values of the college and to making the entryway and yard a place where all can thrive and where the exercise of kindness holds a place on par with intellectual achievement”.
It is in this spirit that Lambert launched the The Cool To Be Kind Project.
In 2017, she hid 50 kindness cards around her hometown of Perth, she was blown away with no less than 32 responses. Each response took thought, action and a joy for the person on the receiving end.
“There is something in finding a kindness card that is not just encouraging people to undertake an act of kindness but is actually seeing them do a deed for others”.
“If this isn’t in the spirit of Christmas, I can’t see what is,” she enthuses.
Now a year into this movement, The Cool To Be Kind Project cards will be available for people to purchase. “All we ask is for people to challenge themselves, hide the cards, pass a card on, whatever they choose.”
Lambert explains that a portion of the proceeds from every pack of cards sold, will be donated to a cause. This will change monthly and people are welcome to suggest a charity or a family in need who would benefit from some “kindness”. This isn’t just a Christmas initiative, its a 365 day a year initiative.
Christmas can be a tough time for many families and Lambert wants to bring an element of positivity to the lives of so many. “I have heard stories from many people in recent times – some happy and some sad – and I feel that it is my responsibility as the founder of The Cool To Be Kind Project. To make the sad stories a little less grim, and to make sure that those whose stories are happy, know that they deserve that happiness.”
Lambert’s actions demonstrate that we all have the opportunity to build our best lives; to pay for someone else’s coffee, to say hello to someone (not just smile) and to let someone with less shopping than you move ahead and pay first.
Far from Perth, the kindness movement is now making a difference globally – cards are being hidden around Australia, the UK and Canada. “I can confidently say I no longer sit around waiting for happiness to come to me, and I make sure that as many people as possible, each and every day are receiving ‘kindness’.”
“Kindness is free but not given freely and I plan to change that.”