Messages with Heart: How Small Acts of Kindness Can Create A Big Impact
Small actions can change a person’s day or even their life. Holding the door open, offering to share your umbrella on a rainy day, a small compliment, or even a simple encouraging note can bring a smile to someone’s face.
Hearts 4 Minds is committed to breaking down the stigma around mental illness while building stronger communities and giving people the support they need. We do this through many initiatives including our Messages with Heart movement, a small but powerful way to spread positivity in your community through simple sticky notes. Taking a minute to perform a simple act of kindness can add up to help transform your community.
Learn more about our Messages with Heart initiative, how it is so powerful, why it matters, and how you can get involved in the movement.
The Transformative Power of a Small Gesture
Small gestures add up and are transformative. In our fast-paced world with the heavy influence of social media, our lives have become more isolating and insular over the past two decades. It is easy to become focused on ourselves and not the world around us, so much so that we can tend to ignore or dismiss everything around us.
However, it is during these times that we may miss the little bits of kindness around us. Simple gestures such as picking a dropped item off the ground for someone or holding the elevator open for an extra second can change someone’s day. These small actions, while little, can grow a community and strengthen a sense of connection.
Imagine that you are having a difficult day at the office. The phone is ringing off the hook, and you have a big project due at the end of the week that has you questioning if you are good at your job. During your lunch break, you take a quick trip to the bathroom and as you are washing your hands, you notice a small sticky note on the mirror that says, “You are stronger than you think you are!” You do not know who put this encouraging message on the glass but for a moment, you feel powerful and capable. In a moment when you are struggling, this small gesture of kindness serves as a reminder that you are valued and can do anything you put your mind to. While this note took fifteen seconds to write, this small gesture can mean everything to the people who saw it.
What Is The Messages with Heart Initiative?
Hearts 4 Minds understands the transformative power behind even the smallest gestures, and we wanted a way to uplift people, even when you may not know them personally. It is estimated that 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with a mental health condition within the next year which is why it is so important to look out for the community around us. We started Messages With Heart as an easy way to spread positivity and encouragement in public spaces.
The idea is simple. We encourage people to write uplifting messages and quotes on sticky notes and post them around public spaces where others will see them. This can be above a door handle, the office water cooler, on a bathroom mirror, or even on a community events board. There is no rule as to what you need to write but share a message from your heart.
Some of our favorites include:
“You can be AMAZING today.”
“Life is too short to wait.”
“Don’t confuse your path with your destination. Even the sun comes out after rain.”
If you are struggling with something, think about the words that would help you (and maybe they will).
Why Does This Matter?
Many of us feel alone in this busy and big world we live in today. Small gestures can make us feel “seen” and do not require much time or effort. Our Messages with Heart movement started with the idea that one note can start a ripple effect that continues to expand within our community and beyond. If one person sees a note and is encouraged by it, they may in turn write and share a note of their own.
Our goal at Hearts 4 Minds is to connect people to the mental health resources they need and break down the negative stigma around mental health. We strongly believe that community support between people creates connections that otherwise would not exist. The Messages with Heart initiative is one small way to build a better and stronger community not only in Jacksonville, FL, but around the country and the world.
How Do I Get Involved?
Joining the Messages with Heart initiative is easy. All you need is a pen, a set of sticky notes (you can even purchase our custom Hearts 4 Minds sticky notes), and an encouraging message to share. Place your note in any public place where someone may see your uplifting message such as a bathroom, park bench, or inside the cover of a book. To spread your message even further, take a photo and share it on your social media account, making sure to tag us @hearts4minds on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook.
A great way to inspire others to take part is to leave Hearts 4 Minds branded sticky notes and pens at your local school or your workplace with some information about what the campaign is and how it can positively impact your community. Remember, one person can make a difference, but an entire community can change the world around them.
Small gestures can change the course of someone’s day, week, or even life, which is why Hearts 4 Minds is committed to raising awareness for mental health resources. You can help support our efforts by participating in our Messages with Heart initiative and spread kindness and encouragement to others throughout your day-to-day life. Who knows, your small note of empowerment can have the biggest impact.
If you are interested in learning more about Hearts 4 Minds, reach out to us today! You can support us in furthering our mission by exploring volunteer opportunities, wearing our merchandise, and donating to Hearts 4 Minds.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, Text LIFE to 741741. Trained therapists are available 24/7 to assist. You are not alone!