Life is a journey filled with unexpected turns, challenges, and moments of transformation. For Tess Bell, the path to becoming a beacon of kindness was not only about making the world a little more empathetic but also about overcoming personal struggles, including her encounter with anxiety. Tess's remarkable journey is a testament to her unwavering determination to promote kindness and emotional well-being, both for herself and the families she touches through Sharing Kindness.
Prior to becoming a mother, Tess was unaware of the challenges that would come with motherhood. But with the arrival of her children, the stakes seemed higher, and her mind was constantly occupied with the responsibilities and worries that come with being a parent. The demands of motherhood, combined with the prospect of releasing products into the world, brought on new challenges. The fear of judgment, of whether people would embrace her creations, was a weight on her shoulders. The courage she displayed by putting her heartfelt work out into the world was nothing short of extraordinary, especially when she encountered online harassment for daring to be different in creating a kindness advent calendar.
One vivid memory from the early stages of her entrepreneurial journey stands out - the arrival of the very first prototype of her kids' affirmation cards. Tess was on the brink of a panic attack, her self-worth seemingly hanging in the balance. As she gingerly opened the box, the critical voices in her head took over. But then, her wise 4-year-old daughter observed the product and exclaimed, "Oh wow mamma, it's incredible! I think this is what it feels like being 'proud,' is it?" Those words filled Tess with tears of joy, affirming her determination to create something more than just a product - a legacy of love and hard work, a testament to resilience.
Tess's experience with anxiety left an indelible mark on her and shaped the mission of Sharing Kindness. Her awareness of the significance of emotional well-being and mental resilience, for both parents and children, grew stronger. It is this understanding that transformed her business into a haven of support and empathy for families.
Sharing Kindness is not just about nurturing kindness in children but also about providing resources for parents to care for themselves and their emotional well-being. Tess recognized that the emotional climate at home significantly influences a child's educational experience. Through her business, she strives to help parents and children establish stronger emotional connections, reduce stress, and enrich the quality of their educational journey. In essence, Tess's journey through anxiety has shaped Sharing Kindness into a more empathetic and all-encompassing resource for families, fostering a space of support, understanding, and kindness.
Tess's daughters are at the heart of her motivation and the driving force behind her mission to promote kindness. In their innocent eyes, she sees the opportunity to provide them with a different path, one where they don't have to go through the rewiring of their brains as she has in older age. Children, as she believes, are like sponges, absorbing the values and behaviors they see in their parents. Tess strives to instill kindness, emotional intelligence, and compassion in her children through her daily actions and unwavering commitment.
Kindness, for Tess, is not an innate personality trait but a conscious choice, a learned skill, a nurturing mindset, a universal language, and a source of personal fulfillment. Her hope is that her daughters will embrace this understanding and carry it into their own lives. Through her work with Sharing Kindness, Tess demonstrates that kindness is not a mere concept but a way of life, a living lesson she imparts to her children. By doing so, she aspires to inspire kindness in others through their actions and continue the ripple effect of compassion and understanding in the world.
Tess Bell's journey is one of courage, transformation, and the unwavering commitment to spread kindness, not just in the world but within her own family. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience and the ripple effect of kindness, which she continues to embrace and share with her children and the world at large.