'Knew the rock was meant just for me': Brevard Facebook group spreads kindness, hope

Jen Justiniano was still on edge about the tropics after Hurricane Matthew . The Melbourne woman needed to funnel her angst into something else.

“I was freaking out, because I have really bad anxiety,” Justiniano said. “I've had anxiety my whole life. One of the ways I was trying to cope with it at that time was painting rocks . I always just find some way to do something creative, to use my brain because if I don't and I'm too idle, I literally will just start thinking about everything I shouldn't be thinking about.”

On Nov. 7, 2016, Justiniano started posting photos of her Mandala-style painted rocks on Facebook — the very same day friend Carrie Cerve was adding multiple positive posts on the social media platform.

“I don't know what was happening at the time, to be honest,” Cerve said of that fall day, “but I just felt like today was the day to throw out some kindness, throw out some reminders that you, as one person, can make a difference. Your kindness can make a difference.”

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New Facebook movement started to spread positivity

When she spotted Justianiano’s rock posts, something clicked.

The women began back-and-forth messaging and officially launched the private Facebook group Brevard Rocks FL that night. Cerve and her two boys began painting rocks and Cerve added simple messages: “Be kind.” “Spread kindness.” “Love.” Just simple little things.  The women figured the group would just be them and a couple other friends.

Nope.

“It kind of took off from there,” Cerve said.

Brevard Rocks had about 1,000 members within the first couple of weeks. It now boasts 41,500 members — and welcomes more. Members paint a rock and then check the page to see if anyone’s found it. Those who receive a rock are drawn to the group, join and then upload a photo of the rock they received, gratitude spilling over.

Vanessa Manning of West Melbourne was added to the group by a friend about seven years ago and was immediately smitten.

“For me, MAKING the rocks kept my mind from racing about whatever things were going on,” Manning said. “It was definitely a de-stressor. And there was always the excitement and joy if someone happened to find a rock me or my girls had made and posted it.”

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Found rock 'was meant just for me.'

One grateful Brevard Rocks recipient is Coleen Carlson of Viera. Years back, she explained, she was going through a difficult time.

“I was literally on my knees praying every night,” Carlson recalled.

It was during a bike ride when something caught her eye.

“I found this rock in front of a doughnut shop,” Carlson said of the pink-painted stone with the word “Warrior” on it and an arrow.

That simple gesture was just what she needed to lift her spirits up.

“I burst into tears and knew the rock was meant just for me,” Carlson said. “I kept the rock for several years, until I had a friend going through a rough time too. I gave her the rock, and she cried with me. She moved away, and I have no idea if she kept it or passed it on, but whoever painted it has no idea how special it was.”

Random acts of kindness can help with depression, anxiety

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) backs up the power of positivity in a February 17, 2023, article “ The Mental Health Benefits of Simple Acts of Kindness .”

Highlighting research by the University of Ohio , random acts of kindness are “good for the giver and receiver,” and “may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety,” in addition to boosting happiness and self-esteem, the APA wrote. It also helps those with depression and anxiety “divert their attention from themselves and take their minds off their own symptoms.”

Better yet? Those feelings can be contagious, prompting recipients to also do something randomly kind, too, according to the APA post.

When it comes to mental wellness, Brevard Rocks seems to have had an impact on the thousands of people who have posted about the rocks they unearthed.

Justiniano and Cerve love what the group has done. Neither expected it to grow to the size it has. And they hope people “keep on rocking,” helping Brevard residents through some tough times – if only for a little bit.

This reporting is supported by a Journalism Funding Partners grant. Mental Health Reporter Sara Paulson can be reached at spaulson@floridatoday.com .

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: 'Knew the rock was meant just for me': Brevard Facebook group spreads kindness, hope