|
Thursday Letter from Ms. Heffron
You probably saw the flyer about our 5th grade Community Service Club’s Hearts for Haiti project. I am delighted they have taken on this project as we have such an outpouring from our students of a desire to do something to help Haiti. And, this project actually was suggested by Ayo Kolawole, a first grader who is far too young to even be in the Community Service Club! Watch for the hearts to go up on the bulletin board across from my office.
It is never too early to start growing a child’s awareness of others and to nurture the desire to help. I came across this column in a professional publication I read. Perhaps it has an idea that will resonate with you.
Random Acts of Kindness
Kindness is an innate quality of most human beings. When we see it directed toward others, it makes us feel good. When it is directed toward us, we feel great. Yet sometimes we feel kindly toward someone around us, but feel uncomfortable showing it. Why not let your kindness show? One of the best ways to do this is by practicing random acts of kindness.
Kindness doesn’t cost anything. In fact, it’s much easier to be kind than to be mean. In addition, the kind acts we perform will often prompt others to act in the same way, even if we may not always see it.
The secret to practicing kindness is to not expect a reward. If we’re not dependent on the other person’s reaction, we can enjoy the simple act for itself. Another key to kindness is to keep the act anonymous. What if you arrived at work (home) and found a batch of freshly baked cookies sitting on your table? You would want to know who gave them to you, but even if you never found out, you would still enjoy the cookies.
Practicing random acts of kindness on those around you-even people you don’t know-is easy. We all know someone who is having a difficult time at home. Maybe that person has a very ill family member or maybe he or she is just down. A fresh bouquet of flowers from your garden may just brighten his or her day and lessen the load. Offering to fill in for someone who is anxious about a sick child at home is a more direct act of kindness, as is offering encouragement and support to a co-worker or friend who is struggling with a difficult task or project.
It doesn’t take much to start practicing random acts of kindness, just a good spirit and desire to be helpful to another person. Don’t be surprised if other people start doing the same once you get the ball rolling. In addition to being very good for your mind and spirit, kindness is also contagious. Once you start, you just can’t stop.
Thinking back, I am sure the seeds for this were planted in me early by my mother who always said, “Just be nice!” Here’s looking forward to many more random acts. See you at next week’s Parent Teacher conferences.
Kind regards, Jayne Heffron
| 
