On Becoming a Life Changer (From Watford Observer)

On Becoming a Life Changer

3:16pm Wednesday 3rd June 2009 in Connections

Today I watched as a room full of girls wrote down the words ‘I choose to be a life changer.’ This was a powerful moment. One which I cannot fully write out in words. Some girls even had to ask how to spell the words, but they would not be stopped from writing it. Some printed it neatly, others underlined it, some wrote in big loopy letters, but a whole class wrote it.

What does it really mean though? Is it some fundamental huge gesture? Is it revolutionising the way government is run? Is it having the vision of success for yourself? Admittedly it could be any or all of those, but that’s not the point. When we teach, we don’t just want to give the girls a goal that they can reach in another 10 years, but we want to have an impact on their lives in the playground, in school and in their families TODAY.

It is the small acts of kindness that really start a revolution, that change the lives of the people around them. If these girls really have that vision in their heart, a whole school can be changed. In a weeks time, we are sending them on a mission to be ‘secret angels’ and to do a secret random act of kindness for someone in their lives. This could be anything from buying them a chocolate bar, to smiling and welcoming someone they would normally ignore, to simply giving a word of encouragement.

As I watch these girls week in, week out, supporting one another through thick and thin, regardless of race, belief, age or popularity, I realise that every moment of kindness is a creative act. It’s choosing to go against the grain and create a friendship, create a bond, create a sister. Girls who used to bully others, are now among the first to praise and cheer on others, offering their insight and opinion with freedom and grace.

It defiantly challenges me to want to see this kind of passion in the people around me, for me to be a life changer in my community, by giving out praise and encouragement and a welcome. These things should never be underestimated. It is by starting small, that big acts happen. Even a smile can change someone’s day.

By Catriona Reid Cat is the wonderful presence intern on loan to girlabout one day a week where she is a key part of the schools team and our resident writer