Student Blog: The power of kindness
As Britta explained in Assembly this week, kindness has a bigger impact than you realise.
It’s my turn to tell you what our prefect initiative, Perfectly Imperfect, means to me. This speech was rather difficult to write, as I wanted you to take away a new message, from the initiative because I’m certain we’ve all grasped the notion that it is impossible to be perfect. Not everyone can be the best at Debating, win every race or get 100% in every exam.
It’s impossible! And frankly, there will always be someone who’s better than you, so it’s just a matter of focussing on improving yourself and not comparing yourself to others. This is something I am terribly guilty of. I find it so easy to become fixated on tiny details and to constantly compare myself to others. The hard part is breaking this cycle and turning your inner critic into your inner coach.
But I know that once you can overcome the constant desire to become the best or be ‘perfect’ and start focussing on personal goals, success and improvement begin to flow much easier. I understand this is easier said than done, but it’s something everyone can strive for, including me.
Another important aspect of our sense of self is that we find it too easy to pick out our imperfections or weaknesses. I know. I could write an hour-long speech about things I can’t do very well, but the second I have to talk about my strengths, I become really uncomfortable, and I know I’m not the only one. How are we meant embrace our identity when we have trouble speaking or pinpointing something we can do well, or we are proud of? And sometimes it is difficult to point out our strengths, but overtime it does become easier. I’m trying to highlight that it’s super important to understand that the essence of perfectly imperfect is to embrace what makes you, you – including your strengths and weaknesses!
You can’t be perfect, but I want to show you that you can find and show perfection in your everyday life. Some might argue otherwise, but one of the things I believe to be perfection is kindness. I know when people go out of their way to do something kind for me or say something nice, I may think about it all day or all week!
The power of being kind to someone has a bigger impact than you may realise. Reminding your friends, parents or siblings how much you appreciate them goes a long way, or even saying something kind. For example, a few weeks ago, a little girl at my work simply said to me, “You’re really nice.” Honestly, that little girl made my day that much brighter.
I’m a big believer in what comes around goes around, so the love you give is the love you are sure to receive. So, while this term is still young, and we’re all still super energetic, I encourage you to do something kind for someone today and every day. Remind your friends of something you love about them. Talk to someone new. Give everyone a smile. Because kindness is quick and easy to share, but it echoes endlessly and that’s why I believe kindness is perfect.
Thank you.
Britta (Year 12)
Prefect 2018/19