When Adrian started The Morning Greeters in 2013, it wasn’t meant to be a grand initiative or a major social campaign. It began with a simple thought: What if more people in Singapore greeted each other in the mornings? That single idea, sparked during a jog, transformed into a Ground-Up Movement (GUM) that’s now been spreading smiles and building community for over a decade. The beauty of Adrian’s story is its simplicity. As a university student, he didn’t have a detailed blueprint, just a gut feeling that a small act of kindness could make a difference.
He tried it out during a morning run at MacRitchie Reservoir, greeting everyone he passed. The positive energy he felt was so uplifting that it planted the seed for something bigger. With the help of friends, The Morning Greeters was born, encouraging others across Singapore to start their mornings with warmth and connection.
Keeping the Spirit Alive Through the Years
Fast forward to today, Adrian is a busy working professional and a father of two young kids. His weekdays are packed from morning school drop-offs to evening meetings, yet he still finds time every Sunday morning to continue with The Morning Greeters.
His story proves that starting or being part of a GUM doesn’t require massive time or effort. It’s about consistency, passion, and purpose. You don’t need a large team, tons of free time, or significant resources to start your own movement.
A GUM can be anything: a weekly litter-pickup walk in your neighbourhood, a book-sharing station, or simply greeting others during your daily commute. What matters is the intention behind it, a desire to make the community just a little bit better.
As Adrian says, “Don’t think, just do.” That small step could lead to something impactful, not only for others but for yourself as well. Kindness is contagious, and your action could inspire another. So if you’ve ever had an idea to brighten your community, now’s the time to take that leap. Start your own GUM. It’s easier than you think, and it starts with just one hello.
Curious to learn more? Check out the video above
Find out more about starting a GUM at https://kindness.sg/get-inspired