Intentional Kindness

From the Heart

By Guest writer and Cornerstone University Student Alex Perry

If you are anything like me, you tend to live your life in a bubble. I often find myself gazing off when I am working on something to think of a person, place, situation that is not happening in the current moment. People have had to call me back to earth from a daydream quite a few times. I can be unaware of the struggles of others because of this habit.

This week I have been trying to be more aware of others. I can have an effect on the lives of people around me by paying attention to my surroundings. One thing I have done this week is to go out of my way to talk to a friend who is alone. As a college student, during the last weeks of the semester, I find myself wanting to keep to myself and worry about my own tasks.

But I know that people need kindness during times of stress. Like end-of-the-semester stress! Instead of walking by, I stopped to chat with my friend and found myself encouraged after our conversation. (I hope she felt this too!) I do not know the specific struggle she may have been facing, but I do believe that a small act of kindness goes a long way.

Personally, when people talk to me and ask me how I am doing, I feel loved and cared for. It is a sign that they care enough about me to pause their busy day and talk with me to make sure I am okay. These encounters then inspire me to talk to others who may be feeling lonely or discouraged. I am able to encourage and affirm them. Doing this also helps me feel connected with others—that I am part of something larger than my own little world.

Do you create your own bubble too? I challenge you to break out of it and encourage someone today. Start small! You never know how far a simple act of kindness will go in the life of someone who is feeling alone, overwhelmed, or discouraged. You have the choice to speak life into others. Be intentionally kind.

Thanks a Million!

From the Heart

Broken Wings during final days of ArtPrize Ten

Thank you to the thousands of visitors who helped us successfully to complete our tenth year of ArtPrize. It has been an amazing journey! ArtPrize visitors wrote 65,000 promises to be kind at our interactive healing installation. We are truly grateful for all your amazing support.

ArtPrize visitors wrote 65,000 promises to be kind at our interactive healing installationArtPrize visitors wrote 65,000 promises to be kind at our interactive healing installationArtPrize visitors wrote 65,000 promises to be kind at our interactive healing installation

Thank you to the all Broken Wings team members, Kickstarter and private donors, volunteers, collaborators, contractors, mentors, and friends. Your contribution made a difference.

A special thank you to International Arts Movement for sponsoring Broken Wings and to the Grand Rapids Public Museum for the opportunity to exhibit at a great location for ArtPrize Ten. I am also so grateful for the support from Moonlight Graphics and Bridge Street Electric. Thanks a million everyone!

Share your story #BrokenWings

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Broken Wings: Nurturing Kids

From the Heart

Children are precious and beautiful like the butterflies. Each child is unique like each butterfly. But children are fragile, too, like the butterflies. So, they need to be nurtured. Cared for.

During my middle school years when my parents were separated, a family new to our community invited me over for dinner—to encourage me. This family treated me with kindness throughout one simple evening. But decades later, I still remember their kindness. I still remember their love. I still remember thinking this is what a healthy family looks like.

My Broken Wings art exhibit is about reaching kids in need. The art challenges viewers to get involved and start a Butterfly Effect—where one positive choice impacts another positive choice. By living a life of compassion and treating others with kindness, we can help strengthen children. If everyone tries to live by the kindness code, consider the impact this could have across the world.

We can make a difference—through kindness. We can make a difference in the life of a child. Decades ago, one simple meal made a generative impact on me—and eventually my broken butterfly wings took flight.

How can you invest in one child in need and make a difference through kindness and encouragement?

Broken Wings
Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl Street NW (west of the river)
September 19 to October 7, 2018
Vote #66688

In light of the recent tragic school shootings across America, find out how you can create positive change from national bullying specialist Jeff Veley.

Share your story #BrokenWings

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Broken Wings: Participatory Art

Behind the Artwork

While on a cross-country flight, I took along some children’s butterfly books to prepare for my next exhibit, Broken Wings. As the flight was landing, a fellow passenger tapped my arm and asked, “Are you a teacher?” She had been watching me underlining important phrases in my children’s books that were sprawled across my tiny airline desk.

I told her that I was an artist and that I was preparing for my next installation about butterflies, bullying, and school shooting. With that, the look on her face changed. Perhaps she was imagining that I was this sweet kindergarten teacher. But instead, she discovered that I was an artist creating an exhibit about butterflies and school gun violence.

I explained that the butterflies represent the beauty and fragility of childhood. If a child, or our culture for that matter, is healthy, then the scales on butterfly’s wings refract light—producing gorgeous shimmering colors. But when the wings are broken, light can’t reflect. So, the colors grey or disappear.

Bullying and school gun violence reflects a broken culture and destroys children. To help each child emerge from cocoons with beautiful wings, the transformational process will require everyone. If each of us starts a Butterfly Effect of kindness and compassion, then the next generation of beautiful, delicate butterflies will begin to thrive and flourish—and restore the balance of our cultural habitat.

How can you help nurture or show kindness to one specific child?

Broken Wings
Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl Street NW (west of the river)
September 19 to October 7, 2018
Vote #66688

In light of the recent tragic school shootings across America, find out how you can create positive change from national bullying specialist Jeff Veley.

Share your story #BrokenWings

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Broken Wings: Solutions

From the Heart

While visiting a butterfly house, a magnificent Blue Morpho Butterfly landed on my wrist like a “live” ornament bracelet. The Lepidoptera, or four-winged insect, remained on my hand for about the next thirty minutes—whether I walked or stood still. Curiously, the butterfly’s gigantic five-inch wingspan would flux in tandem with my movements. The butterfly’s wings would tilt downward, like the flaps on an airplane when I started walking. If my pace increased, the butterfly’s wings tightened down even more to maintain stability.

Spotting the giant blue butterfly on my hand, a group of children clustered around to marvel at the regal creature’s beauty. Of course, they all begged to hold the butterfly. It was delightful experiencing created wonder through the eyes of the children. Their enthusiasm, while experiencing the mysteries of life, gave me a new appreciation for the tiny gifts of beauty cocooned within each day.

What small moments of wonder cause you to stop and take note?

Broken Wings
Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl Street NW (west of the river)
September 19 to October 7, 2018
Vote #66688

In light of the recent tragic school shootings across America, find out how you can create positive change from national bullying specialist Jeff Veley.

Share your story #BrokenWings

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Butterfly Effect: Strength, Resilience, and Kindness

From the Heart

Broken Wings empowers students to overcome bullying and toxic relationship by starting a Butterfly Effect of kindness. The interactive artwork also invites visitors to come up with their own creative solutions on how to diffuse negative social situations. In this video, one student offers his advice on how he has learned to personally overcome negativity and social aggression.

At Broken Wings, we love to hear how individuals are starting a Butterfly Effect—where one positive choice impacts another positive choice. This ancient wisdom still speaks: “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” We can all learn appropriate strategies to deal with adversity. Positive choices and kindness can impact our family or our community for good, and collectively we have the potential to influence our entire globe with the message of healing.

How can we transform negativity into a positive butterfly effect to encourage others?

Broken Wings
Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl Street NW (west of the river)
September 19 to October 7, 2018
Vote #66688

In light of the recent tragic school shootings across America, find out how you can create positive change from national bullying specialist Jeff Veley.

Share your story #BrokenWings

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!