When Is The Last Time You Did Something Kind, Just to Spread Joy?
Wouldn't it be wonderful if kindness was less surprising? If having a stranger offer you a goodie bag on the street wasn't alarming, but normal and joyful? That sounds like the kind of world that entrepreneur Carrie McQuaid wants to create.
"I think my life's mission is just to add more kindness into the world," she says—and those aren't empty words. Carrie has pursued that goal in more ways than one, using her entrepreneurial instincts and talent to launch multiple initiatives and businesses dedicated to spreading joy.
First, Carrie created The Kindness Box. She came up with the idea and started sending boxes specifically to women in college, and when she started sharing her creations on social media, the idea spread and demand flowed in! Each box contains a different group of diverse items selected to bring joy to the receiver: "it's happy and a pick-me-upper," Carrie says. Since 2014, Kindness Box subscriptions can be purchased by an individual for themselves, or as a gift for friends or family, so that kindness literally travels through the mail to folks who need a bit of it.
In addition to her subscription box business, Carrie teaches online workshops and also speaks at conferences and other events. We were lucky enough to tag along with Carrie one day as she put her belief in kindness into action, at a booth where she handed out balloons, popsicles, and ice cream in exchange for acts of kindness by the receiver. "This put a smile on our face, and we're going to go with that smile and be nice to everyone throughout the day," one dad named Michael said, after he and his son Oscar stopped by Carrie's tent.
Carrie also told us about two recent acts of kindness she spearheaded, which you can hear about in the video above. What we find most miraculous about Carrie is that she almost never asks for anything in return for the happiness she delivers. With an attitude like hers, you could imagine a world where kindness was more common, less surprising, and always genuine.
This was a Birthday Flight to Remember
For more inspiration from Carrie and to follow her mission of making the world a kinder place, follow her on Instagram.
This HooplaHa original video is shot by Ryan B. Timms edited by Kellie Sieban. To see more good news, follow us on Facebook and sign up for our Only Good News Newsletter.