Holy Sh*t. Life can be hard.

I’m sorry for that naughty word, but life can sometimes bring out the expletives – even in the most non-expletive-type of person, like myself. I know I’m not alone. I know we all have our “Holy Sh*t” Stories.

For example…

Your husband might end up in a coma during your first child’s birth, and suffer a traumatic brain injury that results in additional serious long-term issues, and then the economy suffers a complete meltdown, in which you are a self-employed mortgage broker. You are forced to sell your dream home. You lose a dear friend and her husband in a motorcycle accident, leaving their two children orphans. After you sell your dream home, your rental home is burglarized with no renters’ insurance. You lose your grandmother. You lose your mother (and best friend).

This is actually my story.

Yes, all of this happened to one person – me – and within a short period of time. And yet I am still grateful. I’m grateful for so many things.

I’m even (especially) grateful for a variety of outcomes which happened thanks to my “Holy Sh*t” Story!

Indeed, the reality of losing so many loved ones so quickly compelled me to think more deeply about my life. I became highly aware how important it was for me to teach my children to live with gratitude each day. Soon after, I recognized how “gratitude” was simply one of many essential character traits necessary to live a good and happy life.

I began to want to inspire strong character values not only in my children – but to kids everywhere.
And so Kindness U was born. At Kindness U we encourage kids of all ages to follow our Kindness Rules, which I've listed below. These rules are guidelines that will help us build a better world, one act of kindness at a time:

1. Treat people how you'd like to be treated
2. Say "I love you"
3. Write loving notes
4. Say "please" and "thank you" -- and mean it!
5. Forgive
6. Give
7. Respect everyone
8. Don't hurt others on the inside or outside
9. Hug
10. Listen
11. It's nice to be nice
12. Share
13. Lend
14. Help
15. Say "Good Morning"
16. Smile
17. Encourage
18. Inspire
19. Offer
20. Donate
21. Compliment
22. Open doors
23. When you get new clothes, give away something old
24. Give Flowers
25. Apologize
26. Support
27. Let everyone play
28. Play fair
29. Do all the good you can in all the ways you can
30. Join the movement! Be kind!