Take a moment to think about what the word, "kindness", means to you.
Is it an attribute? A personality type? Or solely a combination of syllables found in the dictionary? To me, "kindness" is, not only a characteristic but, a lifestyle. Throughout my high school years, I was always under the impression that not everyone you met was going to like you; that, the only kindness left alive in this world was the type you killed people with. Pure, genuine kindness seemed obsolete to me until I started my first year of college at Hofstra University.
On the way to class, a quick glance at my phone displayed a new twitter notification. “AnnaLisa Piccolo! Someone posted to you! : “You are SUCH a sweetheart and so kind to everyone. Love you!"
Pause. Did someone post to me? I reread this anonymous message several times, wondering who thought this of me and how incredible it was that they sought out a way to tell me. The anonymous tweet came from the account, GiveKindnessHU - a club dedicated to promoting kindness on campus, creating smiles, and making days at MY very own university.
After receiving this posting and much more thereafter, I needed to be a part of it. Through GiveKindness' operation via anonymous Facebook and Twitter messages, it reminded me that the love around me was everywhere at Hofstra, even if I could not directly see it. Within two months of my first semester, I was a full fledge member and couldn't be happier. As time went on, I worked my way up to the executive board as secretary and, currently, vice president.
Due to my participation with GiveKindness, I got to attend and be a part of various events that gave me a glimpse into what others thought about it. Through my increased involvement I realized that GiveKindness captured other students' love, just as it had captured mine. At orientations, club fairs, Student Center tabling and many more opportunities to showcase ourselves, I heard nothing but positive feedback.
"I wish every campus had this."
"My high school had a club like this and I loved it."
"I love what you guys do and stand for."
"So, when is the next meeting?"
As each comment was uttered, there was pure excitement and sincerity behind it. GiveKindness was encouraging people to spread the love that was too often forgotten, left in the dust beneath the hustle and bustle of college life. GiveKindness makes a difference to more than me because it strives to make the difference to everyone else too. It implores and invites each of us to pause. Take a breath. Create a smile. Share a compliment, and Make A Day.
