Have you heard about the 'No Phone New Friends' Friday' lunchtime tradition?
Three things adults can learn from children
By Bethany Vale
A recent story from Iowa Valley High School in Marengo pulled me from an internet induced stupor and inspired me to change my daily routine for the better.
When principal Janet Behrens hatched a plan to remove cell phones and use colored cards to direct students to new tables on Fridays, the end result was increased communication between teenagers who normally didn't talk to one another. Students like Page Weick, a junior who usually sat with her basketball teammates, praised the program for encouraging new friendships among students who previously weren't inclined to mingle. "I think people have a lot more respect for others," Page said. |
What can adults learn from this story? How can we change for the better?
As a person who works from home building websites to sell organic pesticides, I sometimes feel quite isolated. As I make the annual transition from fall to winter, I find myself spending more time at the computer and less time exploring the world at large. This week, I decided to change that by starting three new conversations with folks I normally wouldn't approach.
My exciting walk through Home Depot
It was too cold to get my exercise outside, so I decided to walk the spacious aisles at Home Depot. When I spotted a man choosing wood, I asked what he intended to build. "I'm going to make a playhouse for my grandson," he said. Just like that, I was inspired. If everyday folks can continue their building projects through the winter, why can't I continue enjoying summertime endeavors when the weather turns cold? I left Home Depot with miniature pots and seeds to start a tiny garden indoors. The next time I feel bored and uninspired, I'm going to pay more attention to the things that busy people do.
My conversation with the not-so-homeless man
When I spotted an elderly man picking up bottles near the railroad tracks, I stuck my hand out the window and offered him a few dollars. "Thanks, but I don't need it," he said. He went on to explain that he lived just up the road. While out for his daily walk, he had a habit of picking up trash to beautify the neighborhood. It wasn't a focused and concentrated effort. He just picked random things from the ground when he saw them.