<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Kindness – Debra Emerson</title> <atom:link href="https://debraemerson.com/category/kindness/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://debraemerson.com</link> <description>Acorn Awakenings</description> <lastBuildDate>Mon, 11 Mar 2024 18:44:02 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <image> <url>https://debraemerson.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/download-1-150x106.jpg</url> <title>Kindness – Debra Emerson</title> <link>https://debraemerson.com</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <item> <title>Small Kindnesses</title> <link>https://debraemerson.com/small-kindnesses/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Debra Emerson]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 11 Mar 2024 18:30:30 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Inspiration]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Kindness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Life Lessons]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Love]]></category> <category><![CDATA[#kindness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[love]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://debraemerson.com/?p=2946</guid> <description><![CDATA[Little Shifts for Big Results~~~ A student had arrived in my high school classroom in a mood. After addressing the class as to the assignment for that day, I noticed this student with her head down on her desk. I walked over and whispered to her, “Do you feel OK? Do you need to go […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2>Little Shifts for Big Results~~~</h2> <p>A student had arrived in my high school classroom in a mood. After addressing the class as to the assignment for that day, I noticed this student with her head down on her desk.</p> <p>I walked over and whispered to her, “Do you feel OK? Do you need to go to the nurse?”</p> <p>Her head moved from side to side. <em>No.</em></p> <p>“Do you need to go to guidance?” I queried next.</p> <p>Again, I watched the back of her head as she moved it from side to side.</p> <p>“Can <em>I</em> help you with anything?”</p> <p>Once more I got the side to side head nod. Another <em>no</em>.</p> <p>“Well, in that case take another minute,” I continued, “and then I need you to sit up and start the classwork.”</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Mission Possible</strong></p> <p>It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know something was upsetting her. I went back to my desk and sifted through my book bag to locate a package of heart stickers I had purchased for upcoming Valentine’s Day. Though intended for younger children I also work with, this was all I had and I was going with it. I took out the scissors from my desk drawer and clipped out a row of three red and white hearts.</p> <p>I walked in her direction checking in on each student as I passed by, deliberately masking my mission. When I arrived at this young lady’s desk, her head still down, I quietly slipped the hearts down next to her and continued on my way.</p> <p>Back at my desk a few minutes later, I noticed that she was sitting up and fast at work on her Chromebook. I let her be.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>For the Win</strong></p> <p>At the end of the period, I surveyed the class to see if anyone needed more time. This young lady perked right up. “I didn’t finish, but I have a study hall today and I will get it done then!” she cheerily proclaimed.</p> <p>Heart stickers for the win!</p> <p>They simply and silently said, <em>I’m here. I see you. I care.</em></p> <p>As I tell this story, I remember the words of Mother Teresa:</p> <p><em>Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.</em></p> <p>And it could have gone either way that day, so my small strip of heart stickers, given with great love, felt like no small thing to me. It was a great thing — especially for that student.</p> <p><em>Choose kind. Every time.</em></p> <p>Read also on <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://medium.com/illumination/small-kindnesses-13952733bb60">Medium</a></span>.<br /> <em>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@ryunosuke_kikuno?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow">Ryunosuke Kikuno</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-close-up-of-a-pink-flower-on-a-plant-uXFWB6RIdVE?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow">Unsplash</a></em></p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> </channel> </rss>