Simple Pleasures

Last month, (as I shared with you previously) I had the pleasure to participate in a very thoughtful elementary school activity (See Warm Fuzzies: The Power of Kind Words).  If you’ll recall, during the month of February our students were asked to share warm fuzzies, kind and caring written messages, with their classmates and their teachers.  The  teachers were asked to share written messages with their students, too.  The focus of the activity was to recognize the positive qualities in each member and to offer compassion through the gift of kind words.

On Friday, March 2, we enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies and our bags filled with wonderful messages.  The children were happy to read compliments, good wishes and affirmations from their peers, and were especially excited to read the positive notes from their teachers.  I received a bag of sweet messages, too, and I thought you might like to read a few of them with me:

Dear Mrs. P.,

You are kind and very caring.  You help us every day.  You are also smart, also pretty.

Love, Elen

Dear Mrs. P.,

I like [that] you help in Math.  I like [that] you read to us sometimes.

Your friend, Anthony

Dear Mrs. P.,

You are nice.  You help me with the answers.

Christian

Dear Mrs. P.,

Your [sp.] very smart.  Your [sp.] also a good friend.

From your friend, Gavin

Dear Mrs. P.,

I like when you come aro[u]nd and stape [stamp] our books.  You are nice.

Your friend, Jhovani

Dear Mrs. P.,

You are kind and very helpfull [sp.] and you are very nice to us and you treat us well like Mrs. L. (the other teacher in the classroom).

Your friend, Quyan

Dear Mrs. P.,

Th[a]nk you for hlp [helping] us. I apeseo [appreciate] it.  And th[a]nk you for he[l]ping F. (the student I work 1:1 with) Th[a]nk you.

From Logan

Aren’t they sweet and thoughtful?  Many of the students used the words “helpful” and “nice”.  I am glad to be perceived that way, because I do try to show support and care to every student with whom I interact.  I like that last note a lot, the one from Logan.  He was not the only student to thank me for working with the student that I am assigned to work one-to-one with.  Even though I am there to directly help one of their classmates, many of the kids wanted to thank me for that.  I think that shows a real sense of consideration and appreciation on their part, and it was refreshing to read.

So how does it feel to receive warm fuzzies?  It feels very loving and comforting, knowing that you make a positive difference in another person’s life.  So often the way we really feel about one another either goes unsaid or without being perceived.  It’s very affirming to read, or hear, the kind words that come from the heart that let you know that you are appreciated.  I encourage you, whenever you see an opportunity, to let someone know that they are doing a good job, or that they are making a difference, or that they bringing happiness to you today.

Here’s a little quote I found on the wrapper of a Dove chocolate that sums it up for me:

“Happiness never decreases by being shared.” 

Isn’t that so true?  There is great power in the kind word; we shouldn’t hold ourselves back from using it.  Just think: a kind word you share today may have the power to make the difference in another person’s moment, week, or even lifetime.  I am grateful that I had the chance to participate in the warm fuzzies activity.  It was a wonderful opportunity to give, and receive, from the heart.