Inspiring kindness in your community
JOY begins with you. Start by spreading a drop of JOY to an unsuspecting person and inspire them to pass it on by leaving the Joy Drop card. Watch how a single act of kindness can turn into a waterfall of kindness and connection in your community.
Look and listen for opportunities in your life to spread JOY.
Need some suggestions? Try these.
Ideas for students to do with each other
-
Place a note in someones locker
-
Help another student with homework
-
Save a seat for an unexpected classmate
-
Pay for someone behind you at Dunkin or Chick-Fil-A
-
Bring in a treat for a friend
-
When you stop for your breakfast or coffee bring in something extra to share with the first person you see
-
Sharpen a new pencil pack and give a few away
-
Leave a note of encouragement for someone who needs it
-
Say hi and/or start a conversation with someone in a different friend group
-
Bring an extra something in your lunch and give it to someone
-
Make a playlist for a friend with their favorite songs
-
Make a treat bags and leave them in lockers or on classmates desks
-
Post a great photo of a friend and acknowledge them
-
Send a funny Snap to someone who needs to be cheered up
Ideas for faculty and staff to do with each other
-
When you are cleaning your glasses offer to clean the persons next to you
-
Bring in coffee or a doughnut for an unexpected colleague
-
Leave a note of encouragement for someone who needs it
-
Drop off a new grading pen, water bottle, coffee mug, hand sanitizer etc and leave it in someone's mailbox or on their desk
-
Leave a small chocolate on someone's desk.
-
Offer to cover lunch or break duty for someone
-
Bring in flowers or a plant and leave them on someone’s desk
-
surprise someone with a freshly baked treat
-
Leave a gas gift card in someones mailbox
-
Set an alarm for 3 different times during the day and when the alarm goes off do something nice for someone.
-
Offer to babysit for a colleagues children for free?
-
Buy a potted plant and give it to a custodial worker
-
Keep an extra umbrella at work and lend it out when it rains.
-
Take a muffin to the librarian
-
Write a letter to a former teacher who made a difference in your life.
-
Write a note telling someone 3 strengths you see in them.
-
Leave a stack of coins next to the vending machine.
-
Reply to a post you enjoyed
-
Text someone good morning or good afternoon
-
Find out something new about a coworker
-
Write a positive comment on a website or a blog
-
Send an encouraging email
-
Wheel out your neighbors trash bin
-
Share a favorite recipe
-
Complement a parent on a hard-working or well behaved child
-
Write a positive sticky note and leave it somewhere for a stranger to find
-
Pick up trash when you see it
-
Ask your students to draw examples of random acts of kindness or illustrate what kindness means to them
-
Create bookmarks and place them in books.
-
Get Your Joy Drop Cards Now
Why Joy Drop?
Science tell us that when we think of others we not only boost our happiness but we also experience:
Increased connection and trust
Increased life satisfaction
Decreased depression
Lower blood pressure
Increased longevity
When we are other centered we are open to putting our own needs, desires and emotions to the side in order to focus and listen to others. I know this sounds like it came out of the mouth of a Care Bear but there is magic in this way of thinking. We often approach experiences with “me thoughts” like how is this going to affect me, this is going to make me late, where does this leave me, and I don't have time for this. These thoughts are “me centered” and may leave us with feelings of angst and sadness and depression. When we listen and think of others and act on those thoughts with acts of kindness we get a dose of oxytocin (the feel good hormone) which will leave you feeling connected, more generous, less stressed and happier.
What can you expect
In your school community you may notice that people need a little nudging to get going on Joy Drop. This is a new behavior for most people and it may be out of their comfort zone. It would be great if there was a school ambassador for Joy Drop. This person could encourage others, celebrate Joy Drops with announcements, send reminders and share ideas for acts of kindness.
In the beginning you may see people participating anonymously at first in a kind of drop and run kind of way. As they continue to participate they will become more comfortable and less anonymous. This is where the culture shift begins to happen. As Joy Drop continues in your community you can expect staff that are more present (listening to the needs of others) more grateful (how could you not be when others are thinking of you) and more connected (generosity connects people)
Joy Drop Video for Staff
