Noticing Kindness:

Fostering Goodness Among the Many,

One Discovery at a Time

Who will try this?

In an obvious spot, say at the top of a Sunday church bulletin, print in bold letters, “NOTICE KINDNESS”. Then later ask people if they (1) saw those words, (2) what sort of thoughts did they have about “kind” actions – did they in fact see acts of kindness, and (3) did they do anything different (e.g. see things they don’t normally notice, say something to another person about kindness, act in ways that they judged to be kind)?

For you to use this discovery process for deliberately yet subtlety encouraging people to act as if “others were their neighbors”, can serve as a catalyst for discussions about ways to make life better for us all (the young, the middle agers, and the older adults alike).

Try it. Please share your results. bruroberts@gmail.com

Bruce

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In response to this 2011 classified ad in The Lutheran magazine, “I need examples of how churches enable members over 65 to feel that they matter.” the stories of effective church activities and programs rolled in from parishioners and clergy across the country. They were testaments to the importance of purposeful and lively outreach to and from older adults and clergy leadership in our churches. Subsequently I have used those stories in my classes to illustrate the roots of well-being for older adults.

I continue to seek examples of church activities and programs that enable older adults to feel that they matter. This blog is an attempt to broaden the reach of these stories -- to enable more people to know and share a diversity of helpful activities and programs that enable older adults to sense that they “belong” and that they can “contribute” in ways that are meaningful. To matter, is to sense that wherever you are, you make a difference in life. It is a state of mind, your mind, that affects your life and well-being.
All readers are encouraged to write comments and reply to the writings of others. If you prefer, you can write directly to me at roberts@stolaf.edu.

Bruce Roberts

Notes

I have retired from teaching at St. Olaf College, but I still teach in the Cannon Valley Elder Collegium (http://cvec.org/) here in Northfield, Minnesota. My last class was The Art and Science of Mattering as we Age. For me, it is important to help older adults broaden their horizons of possibility and encourage them to build social and collective resources together – and have fun in the process! The core of this positive broaden and build dynamic is the widespread use of use of little “acts of mattering” to foster well-being and resilience in each other.

Aging And The Church