Hunger, poverty and suffering can be so overwhelming you might feel you can’t contribute. We know we can’t solve the world’s problems in one day, but you can do something wherever you are.

Jarrod Shuman did. She was outraged about the rally neo-Nazis and the KKK held in Charlottesville and decided to paint various rocks with inspirational words to combat the venom. According to the Virginian-Pilot, she decided to use a poem by Maya Angelou who talked about kindness as a rich tapestry:

“We must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color. My only hope is this rock will continue to inspire more people to stand against the hate and that, in the end, kindness will always win.”

Many others are painting rocks with encouraging words and leaving them in various places like near a tree, a parking lot, near a monument or in other random places. The movement stems from the Kindness Rocks Project launched in 2014 when Megan Murphy believed her parents sent Heavenly signs by dropping heart-shaped stones and other objects in her path.

“I think that people are really looking for a connection,” Murphy said in a phone interview with the outlet. “I feel that people are disconnected right now … but there comes a point where there needs to be something that brings them together to make a difference.”

The Kindness Rocks Project’s mission is to spread peace, love and understanding and “We must be mindful of the needs and opinions of others to become an agent for peace. It is the mission of TKRP to bring light to that process. Our main purpose is to promote kindness or other cool unexpected random ways.” Oprah Magazine’s June issue featured the Kindness Rocks Project and the movement has expanded to 7 continents. Murphy said she’s “So blessed that I’m the person that people share these stories with.”

If rocks aren’t your thing. Write a note to encourage someone today and send them flowers from your garden if available. You can drop them off to surprise them. Make a list of the 5-10 people who you know could use a lift and draft a letter by hand on stationery. Create a box of inspirational words or quotes for someone which can motivate them every day of the month.

Reflect on the people in your life who inspired you. Now take that and inspire strangers. Share a Scripture, a positive quote or a funny joke. Pick up a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant or other toiletries and donate them to the homeless. You can also distribute bags of warm clothes with socks and shoes for the homeless. Keep these in the car and switch it out during the season so you always have these available when you meet people in need.

Whether you’re combating hostility by using rocks or doing unadulterated acts of kindness, spreading love is the only hope for humankind. Are you ready for the challenge?

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