Dear Brave & Courageous Seeker of Change
This is it. It's all over. Thirteen weeks of my Penn State education behind me and I'm feeling... sad. Many of you are probably wondering how I could possibly be sad at a time like this. Thanksgiving is in just a few days. Think of the turkey and the stuffing, Lucy. Think of the pies. Think of the naps. Christmas is only three weeks later. A whole month of napping. No homework to do. No exams to study for. But I'm surprisingly... sad.
Over the past thirteen weeks I have evolved from a shy, confidence-lacking, inexperienced high school graduate into a fully-fledged, making new friends everyday and enjoying every minute of it, adult. If someone would have told me just thirteen weeks ago that I would be as happy as I am today, I would have laughed like it was the funniest joke I had ever heard. To be honest, thirteen weeks ago, I did not even realize the world was as big as I see it today. Thirteen weeks ago, I would have told you I only needed one or two friends, and today I have twenty. Thirteen weeks ago, I never would have realized how far one small act of kindness can travel and how big of an impact it can make on one's happiness.
Thirteen weeks ago, I began this blog. I planned on doing a random act of kindness every week, and I planned on getting sufficient satisfaction from completing a small task, a menial homework assignment. Boy was I wrong.
I have come to realize that the random acts of kindness I have completed have not only impacted the happiness of those around me, but I have realized how big of an impact these acts have had on me. I use to walk around campus without a care in the world, but I have started noticing people and places and things on my walks to and from class that provide me with so many opportunities to be kind. These opportunities have always been here and always will be, but we have to ask ourselves, are we willing to look for them?
All of this brings me to today. Today, instead of doing a traditional random act of kindness, I wanted to find something that would bring all of my efforts together, and really create a grand finale. The thing was, though, none of the random acts of kindness I could think of were good enough. Then, it hit me. This blog wasn't about random acts of kindness in the first place, but rather purposeful moments of kindness meant to spark a movement. I wanted this blog to act as a stepping stone and set an example for the future of kindness on this campus, and that's why I decided to spread my acts of kindness in one grand finale.
This week, I took a few items and gathered them together in hopes that someone else would receive my gift and take a look inside. On the outside of the container, I wrote, "Open for a change."
Inside, the brave and courageous seeker of change will find a heart, a brain, a letter written by yours truly, and five dollars.
The brain symbolizes the thoughtfulness and compassion that creating a movement for change toward a kinder, happier community will require.
The heart symbolizes the love that we need to share with one another in order to create a spirit of community and strengthen the bond between Penn State students.
The letter acts as a simple explanation for the challenge I am presenting. I know the person who finds my gifts may take the money and run, but it is my hope that they take my advice and start sharing their kindness just as I have.
Lastly, the five dollars symbolizes that you can't get anywhere without a little hard work. You have to work hard to make money, but money isn't everything. Money itself will not bring you love, success, or happiness, but what you decide to do with the money is what is important.
My hope is that the person who decides to take on my challenge will receive these items with an open-mind and an open-heart. It is my hope that they use their abundances to help those who are in need.
What will be your next random act of kindness? How will you be the change?
Over the past thirteen weeks I have evolved from a shy, confidence-lacking, inexperienced high school graduate into a fully-fledged, making new friends everyday and enjoying every minute of it, adult. If someone would have told me just thirteen weeks ago that I would be as happy as I am today, I would have laughed like it was the funniest joke I had ever heard. To be honest, thirteen weeks ago, I did not even realize the world was as big as I see it today. Thirteen weeks ago, I would have told you I only needed one or two friends, and today I have twenty. Thirteen weeks ago, I never would have realized how far one small act of kindness can travel and how big of an impact it can make on one's happiness.
Thirteen weeks ago, I began this blog. I planned on doing a random act of kindness every week, and I planned on getting sufficient satisfaction from completing a small task, a menial homework assignment. Boy was I wrong.
I have come to realize that the random acts of kindness I have completed have not only impacted the happiness of those around me, but I have realized how big of an impact these acts have had on me. I use to walk around campus without a care in the world, but I have started noticing people and places and things on my walks to and from class that provide me with so many opportunities to be kind. These opportunities have always been here and always will be, but we have to ask ourselves, are we willing to look for them?
All of this brings me to today. Today, instead of doing a traditional random act of kindness, I wanted to find something that would bring all of my efforts together, and really create a grand finale. The thing was, though, none of the random acts of kindness I could think of were good enough. Then, it hit me. This blog wasn't about random acts of kindness in the first place, but rather purposeful moments of kindness meant to spark a movement. I wanted this blog to act as a stepping stone and set an example for the future of kindness on this campus, and that's why I decided to spread my acts of kindness in one grand finale.
This week, I took a few items and gathered them together in hopes that someone else would receive my gift and take a look inside. On the outside of the container, I wrote, "Open for a change."
Inside, the brave and courageous seeker of change will find a heart, a brain, a letter written by yours truly, and five dollars.
The brain symbolizes the thoughtfulness and compassion that creating a movement for change toward a kinder, happier community will require.
The heart symbolizes the love that we need to share with one another in order to create a spirit of community and strengthen the bond between Penn State students.
The letter acts as a simple explanation for the challenge I am presenting. I know the person who finds my gifts may take the money and run, but it is my hope that they take my advice and start sharing their kindness just as I have.
Lastly, the five dollars symbolizes that you can't get anywhere without a little hard work. You have to work hard to make money, but money isn't everything. Money itself will not bring you love, success, or happiness, but what you decide to do with the money is what is important.
My hope is that the person who decides to take on my challenge will receive these items with an open-mind and an open-heart. It is my hope that they use their abundances to help those who are in need.
What will be your next random act of kindness? How will you be the change?
Lucy, I really liked how you wrapped it up. Although we may never know who opens the bottle, hopefully they will make the world a better place, even in a small way. I really liked how you talked about how both your perspective and your personality have changed since coming to college. I noticed some of the same changes you mentioned in myself as well! Even though blogging for this semester is over, I hope that you still keep up your random acts of kindness. Have a good Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this post! I think it is amazing that you challenged someone to spread the kindness that you have been sharing through the course of the semester. Your blog has truly inspired me to look for more ways in which I can be kind to people on campus, and there are so many different opportunities. I hope you continue with this blog topic next semester, I would still love to read it!
ReplyDeleteThis is so amazing and sweet Lucy! I love the challenge you presented and I'm so glad you're truly making the most of your college experience in such a positive and uplifting way. This blog was so full of emotion and so genuine I almost cried. I love your optimism and hope in people. If you decide to keep with this passion blog I will definitely continue to follow your kindness.
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