Julia Brown has been a middle school teacher for 15 years. A few weeks ago, she placed an “I Need” wrapped box, with a slit cut out of the top, in the front of her classroom. If a student had a need, they were to write it down on an index card and leave it in the box. The first week, two boys let Ms. Brown know about a bullying situation. It was able to be remedied. Realizing few students wanted to risk being seen placing a card in the box, Julia had every student turn in a card every day on their way out of class. If they did not have a need, it was OK to leave the card blank. And the requests for help increased. From seat changes, supply needs, bullying situations, special handshakes and greetings at the door, the needs were expressed. Eventually, Ms. Brown realized that because of the trust level, students were bypassing the box and simply coming straight to her with their requests.
Jenny’s seven-year-old daughter came home from school expressing her dislike for her classmates. That night, as she was tucking her little girl in bed, she asked her, “What was going on that caused your heart to hurt so much?” With tears streaming down her face, she told her mom that her best friend only wanted to play with another girl and that her other classmates did not want to play with her either. Jenny knew it was time to introduce the ”Kind Can.” Remembering back to when she was eight, Jenny’s mother had done the same for her. The school year was off to a bad start. Friendships had changed, she did not like her teacher, and she couldn’t seem to get along with others. Thus, she did not enjoy going to school. That’s when Jenny’s mom came up with the idea for the “Kind Can.” She used a large, empty coffee can. The name of each of her classmates was added to the can. Each morning, before leaving for school, Jenny would draw a name out of the can. The challenge was to do a kind deed for that person, without expecting anything in return. It was hard at first. Jenny and her mom spent time talking about different ways she could express kindness. As the weeks went by, Jenny, once again, loved going to school. Jenny’s daughter thought this would be a fun and great idea, too. “A Kind Can. A way to create more kindness. A way to keep our hearts open even when they want to close.”
May we too look for caring and creative solutions to help bring about goodness, kindness, help, and an open heart.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:2-3
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
1 Peter 3:8
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