Make A Difference - Share It, Grow It

As I outlined in an earlier post, our theme for the year is “Make A Difference.”  We first challenged our staff, and then I passed the challenge on to our readers, to write a note to someone who made a difference in their life.   Did you complete this challenge?  It’s such an easy way to brighten someone’s day and to show them how much they mean to you.  

This challenge was aimed at someone you know well.  What about making a difference in the life of someone who you don’t know as well or at all?  Many times making a difference in a stranger’s life comes through a random act of kindness.  Our administrative team and secretaries exercised this during their summer activity - they handed out water, lent a helping hand, and expressed appreciation.   

These are usually very simple, immediate acts that make life easier or bring a smile.  What about helping someone load their groceries into the car?  Offering a smile and kind words to the cashier checking you out?  Telling a manager about excellent service offered by an employee?  

These random acts of kindness can inspire others.  Think of the Liberty Mutual commercials which start with someone witnessing an act of kindness by another person and then they commit an act and so on until the circle is complete with the original person as the recipient of kindness.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frpp6DjCaJU

However, many times our acts of kindness are not witnessed by anyone and that’s OK.  We don’t do it for recognition.  To inspire others though, we need to share our stories.  That’s why we’re using #wildcatkindness on Twitter to share some of those stories.  You can share your own story or the story of something you witnessed.  The hope is to inspire and encourage others to join the movement.  

So now the challenge is to share your story...if you’re not a “tweeter,” then comment here or if you’d rather remain anonymous, you can email me (jill.filer@harrisonvilleschools.org) and I’ll share your story without your name. 

Let’s see how many of these cycles of kindness we can begin. 

Jill Filer
Director of Communications