The Owners' Manual | Issue 21 | Spring/Summer 2021

The First of its Kind(ness) The origin of how a rock became more than just a rock In May of this year, the Giving Back &Wellness Committees kicked off the BL Kindness Rocks Project. As creative as we are at BL, we did not invent the project but rather borrowed the idea from its creator and made it our own.The first Kindness Rocks Project was born by chance on the shores of Cape Cod. Megan Murphy, the founder of the Kindness Rocks Project, would often walk the beach to seek solace, peace, and connection. She found it was a place to connect with her parents who although no longer around would in send her signs that they were looking out for her. If she found a heart shaped rock – this was her sign symbolizing her dad. If she found a piece of sea glass – this was her mom sending her a sign that she was watching after her. One day, as she was headed out for her meditative walk, she grabbed a sharpie and wrote messages on five rocks and left them on the path. Later that day, she received a voicemail from a friend who said, “I found this rock with a message on it. Was that you who left it? If it was, I just wanted you to know that it made my day. I was feeling down, and it was just the message I needed at just the right time.” Simple, yet impactful.The Kindness Rock Project kicked off by chance and is a now a worldwide viral trend. Photos of the painted rocks and hints on where to find them are often posted on social media. Based in kindness, the idea of this initiative is that sometimes the world gives us a small sign of encouragement, just when we need it most.And, sometimes a serendipitous rock find can bring a smile to someone’s face and spark a little bit of joy. Now is your chance to join the movement. BL Companies has hosted a paint night, gifted kindness rocks to colleagues, and placed them along paths in hometowns, parks and trails. Not sure if your artistic talents will transfer to a rock, don’t fret. Inspiration for painting rocks can come from many places – even the rock itself. Our talented rock painters have drawn their inspiration from Pinterest,The Kindness Rocks Project website, their children or even just doodles. Kindness isn’t limited to the rocks BL paints. Feel free to share rocks you’ve found along the way and you’ll be surprised about how a rock can become more than just a rock.

Supplies for Painting Rocks • Clean Rocks • Multi-Surface Acrylic Paint & brushes • Paint Pens (Best Option!) • Sharpie • Sealer Some Inspirational Words • Today is the Day • Inspire • You look lovely • Celebrate little things • Be Kind • Reach for the Stars • You Rock • Trust • Make Magic • You Matter • It never rains forever • Hope • Be your own superhero • Be Brave • You are Strong • Give Thanks • Choose Adventure

• You Got This • Spread love

• Believe inYourself • You are awesome • Choose Happy

Please share pictures of your rocks with Heather Halotek: hhalotek@blcompanies.com