Random acts of kindness can bring light to your community, where you live, work and play. Jason Jordan, director of pastoral care, is urging Atrium Health Floyd teammates to spread their compassion beyond the workplace this year.
While the summer solstice falls on June 20 (Thursday), Jordan wants to focus on June 21 as the celebration of the Longest Day to spread good deeds.
“For the past four years at Atrium Health Floyd we have held a winter solstice observance of the Longest Night as an opportunity to pause and remember the losses of the past year before advancing with hope to a new year,” Jordan said. “The Longest Day observance is an opportunity to fuel kindness and use the extra daylight hours to encourage someone by doing something nice for them.”
Jordan has some ideas to get you started in your celebration of the Longest Day:
- Write a personal note and word of encouragement to a friend, co-worker or family member
- Pay the bill for the person behind you in the drive-through or at the coffee counter.
- Invite a friend or co-worker to lunch and pay for it.
- Find out a friend or co-worker’s favorite candy or dessert and surprise them with it.
“There are so many relatively easy ways to make someone’s day better,” Jordan said. “The key is being aware of what is going on with people you live and work with. If you are intentional about it, you can find a way to make a difference.”
It is OK if you also use the day to be kind to yourself.
“As we provide care to members of our community it is easy sometimes for our teammates to forget to take care of themselves,” Jordan said. “If we are well-rested, empathetic and energized, we will take better care of the people who depend on us.”
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation has a few suggestions to boost your own well-being:
- Practice self-kindness and spend 30 minutes doing something you love today.
- Write a gratitude list in the morning and again in the evening.
- When you hear that discouraging voice in your head, tell yourself something positive — you deserve kindness too!
