Kindness and Grandparents Day

Being kind is an intrinsic part of being human. From reinforcing a sense of identity to creating new connections there are many reasons why we promote “Being Kind” at St. Joseph’s. I have shared some of the reasons below for your reflection about kindness; I’m sure there are thousands of other great reasons too.

In fact kindness, identity, care, support and connection drive what we all experienced last Friday. Our students invited their grandparents to visit classrooms, engage meaningfully in learning activities and interacted in a beautiful caring manner which speaks to what is truly beautiful and special in our world. It is the special relationship between young and older people that Christ spoke about love in John’s Gospel, 15:12: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." Grandparents present in our school on Friday certainly shared love with all.

In my view there were three important drivers to this day. The drivers are powerful forces for life, learning and love. These include our Parent School Association investigating options for the day and supporting it with resourcing; our Community Co-ordinator, Mrs. Catherine Lee, along with our school staff planning the day and preparing great classroom activities. These activities focused on relationships, communication and engagement. Finally, the linchpin of the day are our young people and their grandparents.  Each connected with pride, love, care and an amazing sense of fun.

Finally, a very big thanks to all for your commitment to the day; especially the Senior School families who sent along donations for our shared morning tea, our grounds staff for set up and tidy up afterwards; all our staff for their enthusiastic support of the day and our administration team for coordination. I especially acknowledge parents for your great background work and who I’m sure went to great lengths to have family here. While many were able to attend we do also share our thoughts and prayers with the many grandparents not able to be part of the day. This may be due to distance, health or having passed on. We remember, pray and reflect on the gift that each of our grandparents are to us all, we thank them for their vision, wisdom and while not always present physically they are with us in spirit.

Thoughts on Why Spreading Kindness is Important

1. Being kind is contagious

Recognise that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when witnessing an act of kindness? Psychologists refer to this as ‘moral elevation’, and it helps explain why kindness is catching. According to research published in the US Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, even reading about kind acts can elicit moral elevation, making us more likely to follow suit.

2. Kindness helps to create identity

Whether it’s giving up your seat on the bus for a stranger or inviting a struggling friend for dinner, being kind makes the giver feel good, as well as (hopefully) the beneficiary. Most of us want to think of ourselves as kind, so acting in that way reinforces our sense of identity, making us feel satisfied and proud of who we are.

3. Empathy is instinctive

Human brains are hardwired for empathy, because we associate those near to us – friends, partners, family members – so closely with our own selves, say psychologists. It stands to reason, then, that being kind to cheer someone up makes us feel good too. We’re putting something right, but also sharing in the relief that they feel.

4. Being kind creates connection

“Kindness is the social glue that connects individuals within a community,” say those at the organisation Random Acts of Kindness. It’s more than a pleasing soundbite: being kind holds the key to all sorts of social connections. Volunteering or even simply donating some money to charity opens up a whole new circle of people to be connected to.

Regards
Michael Gray, Principal