Mary Robinson Reynolds' Column This Week
5 Quick & Easy Ways to Start Acknowledging Others
Excerpt from Make A Difference with the Power of Acknowledgment UTRAIN™ Program for Education
1. Recognize something good about that person. Draw them into a light and easy going conversation about what you've notice and appreciate about them; their strength, talent, smile, smarts, eyes, humor/wit, passion for something.
2. LISTEN to their response: If they say what's great about them is "nothing..." tell them it's not "nothing" to you and that it makes a difference to you.
3. Ask them how they are today. LISTEN to their response. Based on what they say, ask if there is something you can do to help. Ask if there is something they would like for you to SEE (visualize) and Believe for them?
4. Ask if it's OK for you to give them a hug, a pat on the shoulder or back, or give them a fist bump.
As you see their new Successes, Celebrate with them as often as you notice them!
NOTICE: Now ... what happened to your loneliness, anger, depression? What matters now? What does support feel like to you as you learn to give it away? If you want support ...give it away.
5. Go find another someone. It can be a person of any age. Give them your smile so they can have one of their own.
GUIDELINES TO A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE
Regarding family members, neighborhoods and the popular cliques that are NOT YET safe : There is no need to start in places or situations where you already know that you are not wanted or respected. It's a great thing to have the courage to acknowledge someone who may be a bully, because it can be life changing for you both. AND you don't have to start there.
Make A Difference with the Power of Acknowledgment WEEK is about having SUCCESS one step, one day at a time, so you can work your way up to meet your bigger fears.
PRACTICE daily by going first to where the REAL need is: people hurting in the hallways, school grounds or bus. Look for older people needing help crossing the street, carrying their packages, etc.
Look around your world to people who need just a little help. A little kindness and Acknowledgment goes a LONG WAY!
PLAN NOW to get Make A Positive Difference WEEK Program on your school's agenda for the very first part of this new year and you WILL see a calming effect over the entire population.
Students who learn to acknowledge others will feel good about themselves. When we teach them "how" to safely and effectively become more authentic through learning how to genuinely acknowledge others during a WEEK long experiment in human kindness ... they WILL do outstanding when it comes to being able to relax and "think" when taking their tests. Why?
Because the LIGHT IS ON and somebody is in there doing their work!
Reaching out to make a difference in education 2012 ...
Mary Robinson Reynolds, M.S.
Author & Founder of Heart Productions & Publishing
makeadifference.com/Acknowledgment |
