How 48 Cupcakes Started a Global Movement

Spring 2014

The first act of kindness was cupcakes. Who doesn't love cupcakes?

The day was, ironically, April 1, 2014—but this was no joke.

We showed up at our kid’s elementary school with 48 cupcakes, one for every teacher and staff member, simply to say, “You matter.” For each of our kid's teachers, we added a $25 iTunes gift card, tucked inside a handwritten note and a roughly sketched blue butterfly.

It was simple. Unpolished. Quiet.


But that one small act became the very first flutter of what would grow into the Secret Blue Butterfly—a kindness movement now touching lives in over 100 countries.

And just like that, the Secret Blue Butterfly was born.
We lovingly began calling it SB2—a quiet movement of compassion that asked for nothing in return.

Today, that single act has taken flight all over the world. SB2 has become a global ripple of kindness—quiet, unseen, and profoundly transformative.

It’s proof that one small act can change the world.

The Bike Ride that Changed Everything

One Act. A World of Kindness

It began as a simple bike ride.

In 2014, a father and his two children were pedaling through a quiet park, winding their way beneath trees and sunlight when they stumbled upon a message drawn in chalk on the path:


"If you have the power to make someone happy, DO IT, the world needs more of that!"

They stopped.


Something about it made them pause—not just their bikes, but their hearts.

“Who did this?” the little girl asked, eyes wide.

“I don’t know,” the father replied, smiling. “But it was a beautiful act of kindness. And we were lucky enough to find it.”

That one message sparked a conversation—one of those soul-level, goosebump-giving talks that only children seem to invite so effortlessly.

“What if we did one act of kindness a day?”


“And what if we left something behind for the person who found it?”


“Something that let them know they were seen. Loved. Blessed by the Universe.”

They had recently returned from Costa Rica, where they had encountered the mesmerizing blue morpho butterfly—a creature so luminous, so otherworldly, it felt like a messenger from heaven.

“What if we left something like that?” the little boy asked. “Something pretty like a blue butterfly.”


“And since it’s a secret… we could call it… the Secret Blue Butterfly,” the little girl whispered.

And just like that, a movement was born.

No press release. No branding team. Just a spark of love carried on wings of light.

From that first day forward, the family began performing anonymous acts of kindness:


• Paying for a stranger’s coffee.
• Leaving handwritten notes of encouragement on park benches.
• Tucking small gifts into library books.
• Picking up litter and planting flowers.

Each act was marked with a single sign:


A blue butterfly.
No names. No credit.
Just kindness, freely given.


From a Park Path to Over 100 Countries:

What began as one family's small secret has now fluttered across borders and oceans, landing in more than 100 countries.

People from all walks of life have joined the movement:
• Children leaving blue butterfly stones in playgrounds.
• Nurses placing blue butterfly stickers on the lockers of weary coworkers.
• Strangers paying for each other’s groceries and quietly slipping a butterfly into the cart.

No one knows who started it—except those who remember that quiet ride, that chalk message, and the decision to believe that kindness really can change the world.


🦋 Why a Blue Butterfly?

The blue morpho doesn’t just fly—it shimmers.
It reminds us of what’s possible.
It tells us that beauty exists even when it’s fleeting.
And that we—all of us—have wings.

The Secret Blue Butterfly is more than a symbol.
It’s a reminder:
That you matter.
That the world is still good.
That love leaves a trace.


💙 Want to Join Us?

You don’t need to sign up.
You don’t need permission.
You don’t need to be anyone other than exactly who you are.

Just do one kind thing.


Leave a blue butterfly behind.
And let love do the rest.

Because kindness is contagious.
And even the smallest wings can stir the world.

NEW YORK

PARIS

SAN FRANCISCO

PORTUGAL

ARGENTINA

AUSTRAILIA

MEXICO

UNITED KINGDOM

Secret Blue Butterfly FAQs

Your Questions Answered

When and how did this initiative begin?

In 2014 a dad was on a bike ride with his two young children. They came upon a chalk drawing on a sidewalk that read, "If you have the power to make someone happy, DO IT, the world needs more of that.." It inspired them to begin doing kind acts and leaving something to let the recipient know they were loved by the Universe. An initiative was born! One act turned into Secret Blue Butterfly being shared in more than 100 countries around the world. Visit the about page to learn more!

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How can I get started and join the mission?

We make this as simple as possible. Download your free butterfly printout (free butterflies here), perform a kind act and leave a butterfly and if you'd like, take a picture for the world to see (submit photo here). Illustrate to everyone how one kind act can change the world!

Do I have to take a picture of my kind act?

No, if you'd like to remain completely anonymous that is in the spirit of this initiative. We only began posting pictures to bring awareness to the initiative and in fact only post a picture about 20% of the time.

Wonder if I don't have much to give?

That's okay! Kindness doesn't have to cost a penny. Hold a door for someone; pick a flower and give it to a stranger or leave it on their car; pick up litter; give a compliment. All these things can change someone's life and it doesn't take money. And always remember, our attention is our most valuable commodity and when we give it to others we can change the world with love.

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Do you have a children's program?

This initiative was designed with kids in mind. It was founded to encourage children to "be the change they wish to see in the world." We highly encourage you to get your kids involved!

Do you work with schools and teachers?

We work with teaches and schools to offer butterflies as a kindness initiative to encourage kids to begin young. If you wish to get your school involved send us a message here and we will arrange to get butterflies sent to your school.

How can I submit my photos to be featured?

We make this simple. Just do your random act of kindness and take a photo and then upload them on to our website. SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS. We post on social media all the photos we receive. This photo came all the way from Madrid, Spain.

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How can I become a Kindness Ambassador in my area?

We just started a new program where you can become a Kindness Ambassador in your area and it starts with you receiving a FREE 7-Day Kindness Journal. Download your journal here, perform your 7 acts of kindness and then SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS to us. When we receive them, not only will you become a Kindness Ambassador you will receive your free THRIVE BOX.

We will feature your photos on our website, social media channels and highlight your corner of the world with you as our representative. Let's get started!

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