We should always have a positive attitude in life, but we should never ignore the reality: some things need to be corrected in our society.

I love this time of the year: it reminds us that we need to be grateful, kind, joyful, and filled with love to share. Every year, people are seeking a new way to help someone, and make someone happy.

It is simple: think big, but start small. We all have the power to spread the holiday spirit, and step by step, we can make a significant change.  During the season of giving, students of an Irish school, Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Uí Choileáin, will uniquely spread the Christmas joy.

Throughout December, instead of homework, students are asked to carry out acts of kindness to their relatives, and the community. Their good deeds will be written in a “Dialann Cineáltais” or “Kindness Diary” on a daily basis and will be signed by their parents.

This practice lasts for the last three years, and every year, it has a different theme. Last year, the students practiced gratitude and documented it in a “Dialann Buíochais” or “Gratitude Diaries.”

In a Facebook post, the school shared acts of kindness the kids can choose and a schedule they can use to carry them out.  

On Mondays, students can visit, phone, or send a Christmas card to a lonely relative or an elderly person. On Tuesdays, they can help out with the household chores. On Wednesdays, they should find a way to brighten up someone’s day, while the next day is reserved for self-care, they can do something they love and makes them feel good about themselves.

this is such a lovely idea -- and so much learning that can be imparted thro’ this.
Irish school replaces homework with acts of kindness: “Be the reason somebody smiles today”https://t.co/vb7APctU2M

— Harini Calamur (@Calamur@mastodon.social) (@calamur) December 10, 2019

During the Friday meeting, the school plans to boost their self-esteem by reading the kind observations about their peers they have dropped in a “Buicéad Cineáltais” or “Kindness bucket” previously.

Parents embraced this initiative and supported the school in conducting the project.

According to the Vice-Principal Íde Ní Mhuirí:

 “We are encouraging our pupils to think of the real spirit of Christmas, the spirit of kindness and giving. With such an emphasis on the materialistic and commercial aspect of Christmas, we often tend to overlook what it’s really all about… Goodwill!

Unfortunately, not everyone is in a position to be able to enjoy Christmas, some are lonely, some are sad, some might yearn for what they do not have and some might simply not enjoy the festivities. But there is nobody in this world who wouldn’t benefit from an act of kindness, and the joy of kindness is that it costs nothing.

Our message to the children is very simple: they can be the reason somebody smiles today and they can definitely help make this world a better place for others and for themselves.”

“We are encouraging our pupils to think of the real spirit of Christmas, the spirit of kindness & giving. Our message is simple: they can be the reason somebody smiles today & they can help make this world a better place for others & for themselves.” 🙏🏼 https://t.co/ujbI4Q2xIK

— Jacqueline de Rojas CBE (@JdR_Tech) December 8, 2019

The efforts do not stop here, as the school also has a collective project as a class, “Gníomh Cineáltais Ranga” or “Class Kindness Act” when students must come up with a unique beneficial idea to the community.

Moreover, the school has similar initiatives throughout the entire school year. Each June, instead of homework, students are obliged to spend some quality time with the family, hang out together, play games, and take regular walks, and all these activities are again recorded in a special book.

Can the school get any better?

Sources:
www.corkbeo.ie
buzz.shared.com
www.irishpost.com