Staying Kind in a Time of Chaos
There are many ways to demonstrate kindness. Holding the door for someone, smiling at someone, introducing yourself to someone sitting alone. Most importantly, kindness never goes out of style.
Lately, it feels like the whole world has been turned upside down. The Plant community has experienced it for the last couple of months. There has been grief, fear, frustration, and panic.
The entire state experienced an array of emotions when Hurricane Ian was headed straight for Tampa Bay and, at the last possible minute, swerved to the left. There was a sense of relief for Tampa but still a trail of sadness for the South, which reaped the devastation of the storm.
Nov. 4, 2022: Plant High School goes into lockdown around 1st period. The speaker goes on the intercom Teachers aren’t aware of what’s happening; students assume it’s a drill. It’s not. What felt like hours of sitting in silence was about 30 minutes. Kids are texting family members, phone screens in dark rooms are the only source of light in rooms, and for some, tears were shed.
Within the next few days, news hits that another tropical storm is heading toward Florida. Tropical storm Nicole shuts schools down Thursday, November 10. Luckily, the storm’s impact isn’t as significant.
Nov. 13, 2022: The UVA shooting occurs, three football players are killed, and two others are injured.
Students want and need to feel safe in their environment, and all these frightening events happening, it should serve as a wake-up call to everyone.
Be kind, put a smile on your face, and find someone to share a compliment with. Right now, the little things count the most. Observing and listening can change another person’s entire perspective.
It sometimes seems complicated or even intimidating to look out for others, but it must be done.
Reach out and say “hello” to the person you’ve never talked to before. Or maybe it’s an acquaintance from the past. Walk the halls with a smile painted on your face, not looking down or avoiding eye contact. Laugh and loosen up and never take life too seriously. However, don’t overlook what’s right in front of you.
For more information on acts of kindness, click this link
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/the-art-of-kindness
