The Random Act of Kindness That Made My Day & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #85

August 21, 2018 / 52 Comments
This is not a sponsored post.

I am sure many of you have heard of this painted rock project that has swept across the United States over the past few years. The goal of this project was simply to make someone smile if they found one of these pretty little hand painted rocks hidden somewhere in their community. Facebook pages have been dedicated to each community’s painted rocks group where you can share photos of rocks that you have found. My kids are obsessed with finding painted rocks. We visit our local park regularly in search of them. And when they visit Gramma in Pennsylvania, they love to find rocks at her local park as well. Then they transport these feel good message rocks from Weatherly, Pennsylvania, to Watertown, New York and vice versa to re-hide for someone else to find.

As these rocks have taken off as a sort of Random Act of Kindness mission, some folks have been branching off with some really creative ideas that are similar in nature by leaving other pretty things around town in an effort to boost the spirit of a stranger when they find these items. If you have been following along here recently, you know that I have been struggling a little bit and feeling a tad on the down side. And then last weekend I was met with a random act of kindness that made my day. My husband had taken the kids to the park for their weekly painted rock hunt. When they came home an hour later, my boys were more excited than usual to present me with the fruits of their painted rock search. Not only did they find a few painted rocks, but hiding there in one of the regular places they check was this little plastic baggie that contained the prettiest handmade earrings and a note that said, “You are worth it! Take these and have an amazing day!”

After my children presented me with this fantastic find, I may have been more excited than they were. I couldn’t wait to style my new earrings, the earrings that were made with only kindness in mind, and share them with you. I immediately logged into my Facebook account to find out who exactly was behind this beautiful act of random kindness. The creative artist behind RhinexShine is a woman named Whitney who is a military veteran living in my community. I have never met Whitney, I do not know her at all. But I do know this…she has a kind and generous spirit and a beautiful talent for creating unique one of kind earrings. If you are lucky enough to find a pair hidden around the Watertown, New York area, please be sure to let Whitney know how much her acts of kindness are appreciated. And if you are not local to this area, do visit her Etsy shop, RhinexShine, to view the complete collection of her handmade earrings.

Now that I had these charming new earrings, the next step was to style an outfit around them and take some photos. I love the pretty pale blue and pink color palette combined with darker brown that Whitney used to fashion these tear drop shaped beaded earrings. I immediately thought of this sheer tan, blue, and pink floral dress that I have had for at least 10 years. The boho feel of the dress with a long crochet vest was the absolute perfect pairing for my new earrings. And this dainty beaded heart choker that I have also had for about a decade looks like it was made to match my RinexShine earrings. Funny how that works out sometimes.

Dress: Similar here, here, and here.
Vest: Similar here and here.
Shoes: Similar here and here.

Since I am not creative in a way like Whitney is in the art of earring design and I am not artistic enough to paint a pretty little rock to hide, my #SpreadTheKindness blog posts are my way of paying forward all of these random acts of kindness that touch my life. So to keep the kindness chain strong and unbroken, won’t you please visit RhinexShine on Facebook and click on the “Like” button. And if you are looking for some pretty new earrings for yourself or as a gift for someone else, know that by purchasing from Whitney’s Etsy shop not only are you getting a product that is handcrafted, unique, and beautiful, but you are also supporting a female military veteran owned small business.

“Kindness is doing what you can, where you are, with what you have.” -RAKTIVIST

 

“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” —Amelia Earhart

 

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” -Leo Buscaglia

“Kindness is spreading sunshine into other people’s lives regardless of the weather.” -RAKTIVIST

 

“Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the figure of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.” -Franklin D. Roosevelt

 

“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

“How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment. We can start now, start slowly, changing the world. How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make a contribution toward introducing justice straightaway. And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!” -Anne Frank

 

“If you have the power to make someone happy, do it. The world needs more of that.” -Unknown

 

“Kindness is our very own pixie fairy dust, it gives people the ability to soar and not just fly.” -RAKTIVIST

Have you been spreading kindness around you lately? Or have you been more in need of receiving some random acts of kindness? I am a firm believer that we get back from the universe that which we put into it. So keep the kindness flowing, my friends. The world really does need it.

And now your featured favorites from last week.

Nina of Sharing a Journey shared her Secrets to Getting Fit and Staying Motivated. With her signature honesty, Nina tells us the story of her struggle with weight fluctuations and the steps she has found that help her maintain a healthy exercise and diet routine. This post is definitely worth reading if you need a little motivational boost and a bit of encouragement.

Nina of Sharing a Journey

And Theresa of Vintage Style Files shared her fun post, My Vintage Inspired Beach Pajamas and the 2018 Roaring 20s Lawn Party. I do love Theresa’s vintage style and wish I could pull it off as brilliantly as she does!  And, of course, I am dying over her gorgeous yellow kimono.

Theresa of Vintage Style Files


Spreading kindness from the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Ups.

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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52 Comments

  • Suzy Turner

    August 21, 2018 at 2:01 pm Reply

    How wonderful, Shelbee! You must’ve been absolutely delighted when your kids found the earrings, and don’t they go so well with your necklace?!
    I love the idea behind these little random acts of kindness. I’m not particularly creative that way either so I wouldn’t be much good at painting anything or making anything to be honest. The only way I’m creative is with my fiction writing. I shall have to find a way to spread the kindness with that!
    You look totally cute with your hair in pigtails, by the way, and that dress is gorgeous!
    Hugs
    Suzy xxx
    http://www.suzyturner.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      August 21, 2018 at 2:06 pm Reply

      Suzy, thanks so much for your beautiful comment! Like you, my creativity comes out in my writing as well…I guess that is how I can perform random acts of kindness, too…through these posts! But any little act that is motivated by kindness is a good act regardless of what medium we must use to make it happen!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Christina Morley

    August 21, 2018 at 2:20 pm Reply

    So sweet to leave handmade gifts/acts of kindness for others! And it’s amazing how you had things that went so well with your new find. Thanks for hosting and wishing you a lovely week further!

  • Deborah Stinedurf

    August 21, 2018 at 2:53 pm Reply

    Omg…that is so cool! And it just goes to show the true power of doing randomly kind things…if anyone needed a little pick me up right now it was you. Little did Whitney know that her kindness would be bestowed upon someone who truly needed it at the moment. I do hope things are starting to turn around for you my friend. Please know if you need someone to listen you can always contact me. xo
    Debbie
    http://www.fashionfairydust.com

    PS…that’s a killer cute outfit my friend!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      August 21, 2018 at 3:04 pm Reply

      Debbie, thank you so very much! It is so true that you never how much your acts can effect others in good or bad ways. I really did need a pick me up and I needed a topic idea for my post today, too! Because of Whitney’s random act of kindness I got both!

      This has been a rough summer for sure. I know it hasn’t been the greatest for you either so I really do appreciate your friendship and support! Things are definitely turning around. The kids go back to school in a few weeks and I am re-entering the work force tomorrow after 8 years of being a stay-at-home mom. It is exciting and intimidating but also relieving and refreshing! I am looking forward to the next step for me and my family. And one of these days, I will make my way to the Pittsburg area and a coffee date we shall have!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Maria | passion fruit, paws and peonies

    August 21, 2018 at 3:30 pm Reply

    How amazing that those earrings came to you Shelbee – they look as if they were made for you. I thought the necklace was part of the set! I think it was so lovely of you to contact her and thank her. I’m so pleased you got a lift from a lady with her kind and generous soul xxx

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      August 21, 2018 at 3:49 pm Reply

      Maria, thanks so much! It really is such an amazing gift when the act is completely random. It is as if the universe intended these earrings for me. My husband thought the same thing…that the necklace and earrings were a set. I think it is just another sign that they were meant to be mine! And so I will continue my cycle of kindness.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      August 21, 2018 at 3:47 pm Reply

      Thanks, Jodie! And it really goes to show how the universe responds to kindness! I put kindness out, I get kindness back, so I put it out again, and the cycle continues! Kindness reaps kindness. And it really is amazing when it is completely random. It restores one’s faith in humanity.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Julie Caron

    August 21, 2018 at 3:58 pm Reply

    I hadn’t heard of the painted rock project, but I love it. We just bought these paint pens to touch up the surf boards and they’d be great for painting rocks or shells (since we’re still at the beach). At home there is this ledge under a bridge near my house where it’s a local high school custom to put things on the ledge… you take what ever is on there and replace it with something new. That would be a great place to put one of our creations.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      August 21, 2018 at 4:19 pm Reply

      Julie, I love your idea of painted shells and placing a unique creation on the ledge! What a fun way to spread kindness around! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing. I hope you enjoy the rest of your time at the beach!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      August 22, 2018 at 11:18 am Reply

      Kathrine, thanks so much! It is so much fun to find these charming little surprises out in our town. And I have been rocking the pigtails a lot this summer! I am just waiting for my hair to grow long enough for braids now!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      August 22, 2018 at 11:13 am Reply

      Thank you, Cheryl! I was really happy with how perfectly the earrings matched my dress and necklace. It is like they were meant to be mine! And I was meant to share them on my blog to give Whitney more exposure for her beautiful work and her amazing kindness!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      August 22, 2018 at 11:12 am Reply

      Robin, thank you so much! It is funny to me that as much kindness as I try to put out into the world, I am often so surprised when I am the recipient of kindnesses. Yet I believe that we do get back what we put out there, so I shouldn’t be so surprised. Yet I always am! Random acts of kindness of this sort make me feel surprised but also grateful and appreciative and hopeful. We do need to share these stories when we have them!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Kellyann Rohr

    August 21, 2018 at 7:00 pm Reply

    Gosh I am in love with this outfit – and I love the earrings! How sweet, and random acts of kindness are the best and I believe most powerful thing in the world. Honestly such simple acts can make such a huge impact and can be committed by anyone – that is powerful!
    xo,
    Kellyann

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      August 22, 2018 at 11:08 am Reply

      Kellyann, thanks so much! This was definitely one random act of kindness that had a wonderful impact! Look…I am still talking about it over a week later and will continue to tell the story! I just hope that Whitney gets equal kindnesses returned to her for she truly has a kind and beautiful spirit deserving of good things!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Nancy Baten

    August 21, 2018 at 7:08 pm Reply

    What! How sweet is that! We would never do such a kind thing here in the Netherlands!😂😂😂 and how exciting that your boys found their rocks! Let’s talk about the outfit! Wow, I love this style on you and the colours are so soft! The photo from the back is beautiful as you can see the vest good, it’s a very beautiful one!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      August 22, 2018 at 11:04 am Reply

      Nancy, thanks so much! Isn’t it just the cutest way to spread kindness around the community?! And this dress really is a keeper. I am thinking it will make its appearance again as a good buy for the September summer dress theme. I have had this beauty for about 10 years and I still love it as much as the day I bought it!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Theresa Campbell

    August 21, 2018 at 8:19 pm Reply

    Shelbee, thanks so much for the feature. I am forever grateful. And I love the story about the painted rocks and the earrings. I actually didn’t know about the rocks. Where the heck have I been? The outfit you put together to showcase the earrings is perfect. The feminine boho dress is so pretty and that lace vest is beyond fabulous, as are those killer shoes. You’ve got a stunning 70s vibe going on there, girl!

    Theresa
    http://www.vintagestylefiles.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      August 22, 2018 at 11:01 am Reply

      Theresa, thank you so very much! I do love a good 70’s vibe, for sure. Or 60’s or 50’s or 40’s! The painted rock project is such a cute idea and my kids just absolutely love it! And it was my pleasure to feature your amazing outfit and super fun post! Thanks for inspiring us.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Laurie

    August 21, 2018 at 11:56 pm Reply

    Love your outfit! This is one of my favorites.

    My grandson found a painted rock in our local park. The picture on top of the rock was a piece of notebook paper with the words “I win – Paper” (as in rock.paper, scissors). So clever! No earrings, though.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      August 22, 2018 at 10:59 am Reply

      Thank you, Laurie! That is a very clever rock, indeed! There are some really unique and creative rocks that my kids have found, too. Some of them they love so much that they keep them and they are displayed on our front porch. But they always take ones they found and re-hide them when they are searching for new ones. It is such a cute little game to play! Maybe you will find some cute jewelry around town, too! We have a local artist in my town who hides “free art” out in the community for people to find as well. It is his way to increase appreciation for original artwork. Such a great idea!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Lisa notes

    December 7, 2020 at 12:40 pm Reply

    What a beautiful story and beautiful earrings! I love that they were planted there for a stranger to discover. Random acts of kindness are always so delightful to do, to receive, and even just to hear about! So glad you shared this.

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