Rylie Lipke ‘27, News Editor
During the week of Feb. 14, all seven days are dedicated to making random acts of kindness toward anyone, according to the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Complimenting or helping someone can be done for your peers, teachers, family, etc. It is important to participate, because just by doing the smallest thing could make someone’s day or even their whole week.
Most students do not remember that this theme exists, and for students it is essential that you step out of your comfort zone, and be kind during this time period. An act of kindness can be as small as holding the door open for someone who looks like they need it, or picking up someone’s dropped things. Going out of your way to help someone, even if it is a very simple task, could brighten up someone’s day. Sophomore Kennedy Kight said, “I like doing little nice things for people because whenever someone does something nice to me; it always makes me feel really good, and I feel like other people should feel that same way.” You never really know what someone is going through unless you ask them, so why not help someone out even if it is small?
If it is difficult for you to come up with ideas of what to do to help out your peers during this time, there are a ton of ways to make a small but meaningful impact. If you see someone struggling to carry all of their things, reach out to them and ask if they need help; you could compliment someone on their shirt, hair, shoes, etc. These ‘little things’ to you may be an even bigger thing to another person. According to the Mental Health Foundation, “Being kind to someone without them expecting it reduces stress, improves our emotional well-being, and even benefits our physical health.”
In our school specifically, we have the Lion Pride Award. This award is given out to students and teachers who follow P.R.I.D.E. The P stands for positivity, R stands for respect, I stands for initiative, D stands for determination, and E stands for equality. Going throughout your school day, if you see anyone doing anything that resembles one of the letters in P.R.I.D.E. then you are able to nominate them for the award by scanning the QR code on posters around the schools. Going along with this special week, if you witness anyone who fits into any one of those catagories, you should nominate them for the award. Remember, the award is not just for your peers, it can be given to a teacher or staff member as well.
By being a bigger person and stepping up and helping someone in need, or just saying a few kind words, is not just a little thing. Going out of your way to be kind can change the way someone sees their outlook on people and life. If another person witnesses you do one kind thing, or even is the person you are doing that kind thing for, they may be more likely to step up and do the same for you or other people. To some, going out of their way for another person may be out of their comfort zone, but in reality, it is quite the opposite. Doing nice things has no cost, but the way it could impact another person in a positive way is worth more than any money.
Lyon Life 