Valentine’s Day
V Day was last Friday. Did you participate in any way?
I know some people think that Valentine’s Day is over commercialised and that it’s all about
the cards, flowers and chocolates. But I actually like the day. I believe it gives everyone the
chance to be included.
And it doesn’t have to be about couples only. I think it’s about sharing authentic experiences with all of your loved ones.
Gracie and Ellsie made cards in class and I loved getting a card from each of them. Sam and I posted acknowledgments to each other on social media and exchanged small gifts.
I said 'Happy V Day' to everyone I had contact with, either on Insta or in real life. I just
find it a genuinely positive, happy kind of day.
But if the real purpose of this date is to celebrate love then our family had the best
Valentine’s Day ever. The birth of our nephew, Jack Henry on 14 February was a reminder
of exactly what love is.
Belonging
Are you inclusive? Do you pick and choose who you invite to different things? For example,
if you have a tennis night, do you only invite your friends who are good at tennis?
I’m not accusing or judging. It’s just something I read recently has caused me to take stock of how I include people.
What if we had to follow a rule where you weren’t able to say, you can’t play? I read a story
about a kindergarten teacher who taught his kindy kids a mantra about letting everyone
play. If a kid came along and wanted to be a part of the game, you had to let them in.
The kids in his class weren’t allowed to say no, you can’t play. It’s a pretty simple rule. You
can’t really get it wrong. But it changes everything. Every child in his class felt they
belonged.
Can you imagine what that did for their self-esteem?
Ripple effect
Surely this in-class behaviour had a ripple effect. The kid that’s been included would be
feeling pretty good about himself and will more than likely pass on some of those good
feels.
Afterall kindness is contagious. The person receiving the act of kindness is likely to turn
around and be kind to someone else. Not to mention how you feel when you have done
something nice for someone.
Random Acts of Kindness Day
Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day! It’s celebrated on February 17 each year. It’s a day
where you have the opportunity to do something nice for complete strangers, family
members or people you work with.
A few ways you can celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day
Email a thank you to someone who has made a difference in your life.
Let a car merge in front of you – and smile
Write encouraging messages on post-it notes and leave them where they can be seen - on mirrors/in your kid's lunchboxes/in the bathroom of your favourite cafe
Open the door for someone
Help someone carry their bags
Pay for the coffee of the person behind you
Reach out to someone you haven’t talked to in a while
Compliment a stranger
Eat and buy local
Let go of old grudges
Praise a child to their parents while the child is there
Say ‘good morning’ and ‘thank you’ to bus drivers, police officers, teachers etc
Hug someone you love like you mean it
And because we’ve made a start, why not just keep it going for the whole week?
Let’s make this Random Acts of Kindness Week!
Have a great one.
Rach x