Pay It Forward: Small Changes, Big Results
When asked to think about and describe kindness, compassion and empathy,
When asked to think about and describe kindness, compassion and empathy, we often throw around popular phrases like “random acts of kindness” and “pay it forward”. It’s easy to assume we know kindness when we see it and easy to believe our students know it and expect it of each other. It’s become such a part of our lexicon that it’s also easy to overlook the active teaching of it.
As such, Eagle Hill spent its January Evening Seminar and Formal Dinner focused on “New Year’s Resolutions: Compassion and Empathy on Campus.” We began with an introduction to the different forms of kindness – that it’s not just helping an elderly lady crossing the street, but could be the simple, seemingly inconsequential moments that have the greatest impact on others – and moved into a series of TED talks by famed author of “Emotional Intelligence,” Daniel Goleman, as well as “Reviving the Golden Rule” by Karen Armstrong. This served simply as a launching pad for the dinner discussions and real work on the dorm floors immediately after.
Resident Counselors and faculty led lengthy discussions on each dorm floor about how we can be more compassionate, empathetic and own shared values as a community. They discussed ideas to change our campus, not necessarily in a major way but in ways that would be practical, ethical and impactful. In fact, each dorm floor voted on a commitment they would collectively hold each other accountable to over the duration of the year. The definitely had a little fun with it, and each floor came up with a unique idea. Some ranged from simple, random hand-written thank you notes to faculty and staff throughout the year, to other, bolder ideas. One of younger boys’ dorms even reported:
“Mr. Hancock – For our floor we came up with the mantra: Take down that wall that divides us all! We spoke about the language that the fellas use here and hear used around campus/on television/in our music. We spoke about realizing that, even when the person in front of them may be “okay” with the language, the root of the words and impact of those words does not end there. We also spoke about how, once we place barriers up to separate ourselves from others, it is easier to use these words because the other person feels less “human”. Lots of work and commitments from us ahead.”
There are many positive things happening and being seen on campus this week as a direct result of their candid discussions during the seminar. We all hope their inspired kindness and commitments endure and our campus continues to be transformed.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Chris
(A special thanks to Ali from the Leavan Project for the artwork)
Back
As such, Eagle Hill spent its January Evening Seminar and Formal Dinner focused on “New Year’s Resolutions: Compassion and Empathy on Campus.” We began with an introduction to the different forms of kindness – that it’s not just helping an elderly lady crossing the street, but could be the simple, seemingly inconsequential moments that have the greatest impact on others – and moved into a series of TED talks by famed author of “Emotional Intelligence,” Daniel Goleman, as well as “Reviving the Golden Rule” by Karen Armstrong. This served simply as a launching pad for the dinner discussions and real work on the dorm floors immediately after.
Resident Counselors and faculty led lengthy discussions on each dorm floor about how we can be more compassionate, empathetic and own shared values as a community. They discussed ideas to change our campus, not necessarily in a major way but in ways that would be practical, ethical and impactful. In fact, each dorm floor voted on a commitment they would collectively hold each other accountable to over the duration of the year. The definitely had a little fun with it, and each floor came up with a unique idea. Some ranged from simple, random hand-written thank you notes to faculty and staff throughout the year, to other, bolder ideas. One of younger boys’ dorms even reported:
“Mr. Hancock – For our floor we came up with the mantra: Take down that wall that divides us all! We spoke about the language that the fellas use here and hear used around campus/on television/in our music. We spoke about realizing that, even when the person in front of them may be “okay” with the language, the root of the words and impact of those words does not end there. We also spoke about how, once we place barriers up to separate ourselves from others, it is easier to use these words because the other person feels less “human”. Lots of work and commitments from us ahead.”
There are many positive things happening and being seen on campus this week as a direct result of their candid discussions during the seminar. We all hope their inspired kindness and commitments endure and our campus continues to be transformed.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Chris
(A special thanks to Ali from the Leavan Project for the artwork)