I worked my way through a pile of papers on my desk the other day and at the bottom were Cheyenne’s fifth grade work folder that I was saving to keep with her school memory book.  I have to say flipping through those fifth grade memories made me a bit reminiscent and again reminded me of the one thing as a parent that I know all too well – time flies.

In looking through Cheyenne’s folder I found something that I heard about, but had not seen.  It was a single sheet of paper with Cheyenne’s name and the phrase, "You’re the Best" printed on one side and short comments from her classmates about her handwritten on the other side.  I heard about this project from Cheyenne when it happened during the year, but had never seen the paper.  I recall the project really lifting Cheyenne’s spirits and leaving a very positive imprint.  The goal was for each classmate to say one nice thing about the person.  So, each student not only had to exercise their ability to think about nice things to say about their classmates, they also received the gift of seeing the nice things their classmates said about them.  How fabulous is that??  I think it is a great exercise and I thank Mrs. Loberg the Health teacher at Westside Elementary for doing such a project.

You wouldn’t necessarily know from the things I write about Cheyenne in my blog that she is a shy girl, but she has historically been quite shy and quiet in school (not sure how much longer that will hold).  It was interesting to see that while a few of the comments from her classmates noted her shyness,more focused on other qualities and strengths.  I want to share some of the comments here to give you a feel for how simple, but powerful some of these comments were.  I am not going to list the kids names who wrote the comments, but they are a mix of boys and girls.

Even though you may be quiet you still brighten up the room. 

I like how you share your things.

You are a funny person to sit by.

You are a really kind person and I’m glad I’m your friend.

I like how somedays you are shy and others you talk a lot. You are funny.

You are smart and funny.

You are nice and shy.

You are are a friendly girl.

I like your personality and how you have a passion for animals.

You are funny and intelligent.

Very smart and very loud.

You are a funny person to sit by!

You are nice to many people and I like talking to you.

A simple exercise, but powerful I think in exercising the kids’ appreciation for others’ qualities and the ability to share kind thoughts.  I know that Cheyenne really enjoyed this project and truly appreciated and absorbed the kind words. 

I wish we did this more as adults.  There is so much power in kindness.  Today I encourage you to take the time to say or write at least one kind thing to another person.  The effort to do so is minor, but the effect is powerful.  Tomorrow say or write two kind things and the next day say or write three kind things – exercise your kindness muscle and build it up – be powerful in your ability to spread kindness.  

Thank you Mrs. Loberg for such a powerful lesson. 🙂

Day three hundred and ninety-three of the new forty – obla di obla da

Ms. C