Chaplain's Chat

This Saturday, November 13th, is World Kindness Day, where the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself and to the world is promoted. Just imagine, if every Australian performed an act or kindness on World Kindness Day, we have 25 million acts of kindness in a single day.  Now that’s something to think about!  Each and every day, there are many opportunities for every one of us to make a difference to someone’s life.  The possibilities are endless.  And it actually feels good to do good to others. A famous saying goes, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”.  Why not give it a try?

Happiness

People who give contributions of time or money are “42 percent more likely to be happy” than those who don’t give (Harvard “Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey”).

Giving VS Receiving

Studies have shown that spending on others feels better than spending on yourself.

Helpers High

Giving has also been linked to the release of oxytocin, a hormone that induces feelings of warmth, euphoria, and connection to others.  A dose of oxytocin causes people to give more generously, feel more empathy towards others and the best part is that the so called “symptoms” last up to two hours

Endorphins

Engaging in ACTS OF KINDNESS  produces ENDORPHINS, the brain’s natural painkiller.

Serotonin

KINDNESS stimulates the production of SEROTONIN.  Serotonin HEALS your wounds, CALMS you down, and makes you HAPPY!

Less Stress

COMPASSIONATE people have 23% LESS CORTISOL, the infamous STRESS hormone.

Science of Giving

Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”.  Little did Churchill know that there is actually scientific evidence to prove that by giving we do in fact increase the quality of our life.  Giving to others gives the human race back the one commodity that we are in constant pursuit of – HAPPINESS!

I think we can all agree that the last 19 months has certainly been challenging to say the least. Hardship can come in many forms such as loneliness, financial strain, illness, trauma, loss, feelings of inadequacy and the list goes on. However, with kindness comes hope.   And with hope we can overcome every obstacle/challenge,  we can rise above and tap into a strength we never knew existed. Kindness is the secret ingredient that makes life worth living.

I am proud to be part of a school community that regularly practices the art of kindness in both big and small ways.  Over the last 2 years, I have seen this community come together and offer kindness and support when it was needed.  Only this week, I have been witness to a group of grade 3//4 students who came and presented a proposal to Oliver of wanting to help homeless people by knitting scarves for them.   I am also aware that students are making and selling lemonade to raise funds for a school in Africa. How amazing! 

Let’s keep this momentum going and not only celebrate the life benefits of integrating kindness into our lives one day in the year, but every day of the year.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

Leo Buscaglia 1924 -1998

Wool Donations Please

If you have any wool at home you are not using can we please have it ?  We are knitting/crocheting Woori worms so we would love some bright colours to get going with.