Kindness can be a simple or a grand gesture. Kindness can effect one individual or can be a global phenomenon.

Kindness is defined as “the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate” by the Oxford Dictionary.  Kindness is synonymous with warm-heartedness, goodwill, warmth, gentleness, tenderness, sympathy, benevolence, compassion, courteous, gracious, humaneness and selflessness.  The Urban Dictionary defines kindness as “the act of not just being nice, but showing sympathy and understanding” towards others and “not expecting anything in return.”

Some say that kindness doesn’t exist in the world anymore;  that in this dog-eat-dog world of ours everyone looks out for themselves.  But as a person who has always seen the glass as half full and has always seen the good in people (albeit, sometimes you may have to look really, really hard!) I DO believe there is kindness in our world.

So are you a kind human being?  Are you friendly, generous and considerate to others? Do you show sympathy and understanding to others without expecting something in return?  Do you rock?  WHAT?????

The Kindness Rocks Project, a grass roots organization which began on Cape Cod, is the perfect example of what it means to spread kindness.  Megan Murphy, the founder of The Kindness Rocks Project, and fellow Cape Codder, encourages people to leave rocks painted with inspiring messages along the paths of life.  The motto of The Kindness Rocks Project is “one message at just the right time can change your entire day…outlook…life!  Take one, share one or add one to the pile.”

If you have visited some of our beautiful Cape Cod beaches you may seen some Kindness Rocks.  There is a Kindness Rocks garden set up at one of our favorite places – the Bass Hole River boardwalk at Grey’s Beach in Yarmouthport.

Megan Murphy, a life coach, started this movement with just a couple of messages on a couple of rocks. And this grass roots movement has grown into a global phenomenon.  There are now Kindness Rocks gardens all around the world!

On social media, Megan has shared some stories of people who have been effected by her movement.  There are stories of parents who have lost their children looking for an outlet to help others through their grief.  There are stories of individuals who were down, discouraged or distraught who found a rock with an encouraging and inspirational message and it made a huge impact on their lives.  There are stories of entire communities coming together to spread kindness.

Isn’t it amazing that such a simple gesture – painting a message on a rock – can have such a profound impact?

So we are happy to announce that the Long Dell Inn is joining the Kindness Rocks Project!  In the Spring, we will have a Kindness Rocks garden set up at the Inn where guests can take a rock that speaks to them or take one that will speak to someone they know who is in need of a special message.  We will also be setting up a space for guests to paint messages on rocks.  They can take their rocks home with them as a souvenir or they can leave rocks in our garden for future guests to enjoy.  And just maybe the right rock will end up in the hands of the person who needs it the most!

In December of 2018, Megan was featured on the Today Show to discuss her project.  Check out Megan Murphy’s two books:  A Pebble For Your Thoughts and Kindversations Workbook For Kids.  If you don’t already, you should follow The Kindness Rock Project on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about this amazing movement and to read about the impact it is having on our world!

And of course, you should follow the Long Dell Inn on Facebook and Instagram (capecod_longdellinn) to check out what’s happening at the Inn and to take a look at some of the Kindness Rocks in our garden!

And perhaps you can spread your own kindness in your own way.

Everyone should experience the Long Dell Inn

Looking for a home base for your Cape Cod daventure?  The Long Dell Inn is the perfect place to stay.  Long Dell Inn is a historic sea captain’s house with a total of seven guestrooms all with private en-suite bathrooms.  Located in the quiet seaside village of Centerville – frequently called one of the prettiest village on Cape Cod – we are just minutes from a great beach, delicious dining, fabulous shopping, ferries to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, and easy access to all your Cape Cod adventures.  Check out our accommodations and book your getaway today!  If you have questions, please call (508-775-2750) or email us.

Every year, April 22nd is celebrated as Earth Day.  I recently read in the newspaper about several activities that are being held on Cape Cod in honor of Earth Day. I began wondering about the history and origins of Earth Day.

April 22, 1970 marks the birth of the modern environmental movement.  Twenty million Americans took to the streets, parks and auditoriums in massive rallies across the country to demonstrate for a healthy and sustainable environment. .  This massive effort by Americans of all walks of life led to the creation of the United State Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Act.

As 1990 approached, a group of environmental leaders launched another big campaign on behalf of Mother Earth.  Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries and lift environmental issues onto the world stage, giving a huge boost to recycling efforts worldwide.

In 2000, Earth Day used the power of the internet to organize activists who sent world leaders the loud and clear message that citizens around the world wanted quick and decisive action on global warming and clean energy.

As a Cape Codder, the environment is an important aspect of this beautiful place we call home.  Millions of visitors a year come to the Cape to partake in the natural beauty that Cape Cod has to offer.

Earth Day 2018 will focus on mobilizing the world to End Plastic Pollution, including creating support for a global effort to eliminate single-use plastics along with global regulation for the disposal of plastics.  The Earth Day Network will educate millions of people about the health risks of plastic, including our pollution of our oceans, water and wildlife and about the growing body of evidence that decomposing plastics are creating serious global problems.

From poisoning and injuring marine life to the ubiquitous presence of plastics in our food to disrupting human hormones and causing major life threatening diseases and early puberty, the exponential growth of plastics is threatening our planet’s survival.

CARE for the Cape and Islands is launching a plastic-free campaign on Earth Day, with a focus on a Skip the Straw program.  Americans use 500 million drinking straws every single day.  (Isn’t that an astonishing number?!)  Straws are used for a short time, are not recycled and often find their way into the ocean where they become litter and a danger to our marine and wildlife.  The plastic also endangers our own health.  CARE is asking the restaurant industry on the Cape to replace plastic straws with biodegradable paper straws or reusable straws.

Here at the Long Dell Inn we have always provided our guests with reusable BPA free water bottles that guest could take home to continue to reuse. In fact, it was one of the first decisions we made upon buying the Bed & Breakfast.  We have a large water cooler in the breakfast room where guests can fill up their Long Dell Inn water bottles as often as they want!  We also only have paper straws available for guests to use.

In honor of Earth Day 2018, we have decided to eliminate the one-time use bottles of water that are usually placed in the guest rooms.  We will encourage guests to use the Long Dell Inn water bottles they are given upon check-in.  Let’s all try to eliminate as much plastic rubbish as we can – every little bit can help put a smile on Mother Earth’s face!

This year Earth Day will be celebrated by over a billion people world wide.  So what will you do to celebrate Earth Day?  This question brings up even more questions:

Don’t we all love our planet?

If so, shouldn’t every day be Earth Day?

Click here to check out our “Eco-Friendly” page on our website and read about other steps we have taken to reduce our impact on our environment.

Everyone should experience the Long Dell Inn

Looking for a home base for your Cape Cod adventure?  The Long Dell Inn is the perfect place to stay.  Long Dell Inn is a historic sea captain’s house with a total of seven guestrooms all with private en-suite bathrooms.  Located in the quiet seaside village of Centerville – frequently called one of the prettiest village on Cape Cod – we are just minutes from a great beach, delicious dining, fabulous shopping, ferries to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, and easy access to all your Cape Cod adventures.  Check out our accommodations and book your getaway today!  If you have questions, please call (508-775-2750) or email us.

Sources:  www.careforthecapeandislands.org; www.earthday.org

Since the Inn now has a new look and a new website we thought we needed new names for our newly renovated rooms. So several weeks ago we asked family, friends and those who have “Liked” the Long Dell Inn (LDI) on Facebook for their assistance. We thank everyone for their input.

In the end, we thought it best to honor ourselves and the Long Dell Inn by using room names that had special meaning to each.

Here’s what we came up with:

Room #1 – Captain’s Quarters.

We thought it appropriate to retain the current name in honor of Captain Reuben Jones who built the house in the mid-1800’s. He definitely deserves some recognition.

Room #2 – Tradewinds.

We met at a concert being held at the Tradewinds in Sea Bright, NJ.

Room #3 – Down The Shore.

The Jersey shore is a place of so many childhood (and adult) memories.  It’s also a lyric in the song Jersey Girl sung by Bruce Springsteen. And when one from New Jersey says “down the shore” we say it as if it’s one word!

Room #4 – Grenville.

After we got married, our wedding brunch was held at The Grenville in Bay Head, NJ.

Room #5 – Seabird.

Again, we thought it appropriate to retain the current name as this was one of the ships Reuben Jones’ captained.

Room #6 – Sugar Magnolia.

Marc is a big Grateful Dead fan and this room is named after one of their songs.

Room #7 – The Nest.

The Nest because being on the top floor of the Carriage house feels like you are up in the trees with all of our wonderful feathered friends.

Stay tuned for future blogs about the Long Dell Inn and Cape Cod!!