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Community Kindness 3 minutes · closer

One quiet thank-you

Adult wording. Show the classroom wording

Card 19 of 52

Put it on the board and read it out. Nothing to prepare.

Handwritten notes pinned up, each one headed with a different name

Illustration by RecipesforWellbeing.org, CC BY-NC 4.0

Open this drawing in the library

Before we go, think of someone in this room whose presence helped you today, through something they did or simply by being here.

You do not need to say who. You might offer a quiet thank-you on the way out, or keep it to yourself.

If nobody comes to mind today, let the question stay open.

That’s the practice.

Listen for Do not watch for visible thanks or ask who students chose. The practice can stay entirely private.

The skill of compassion. Treating yourself and others with everyday gentleness, warmth, and care.

Where could you meet your own or another person's suffering with more warmth and a genuine wish to bring relief?

Try the interactive practice on this skill

Before we close, think of someone in this group, or in your week, whose presence helped you, perhaps through something they did or simply by being there.

You do not need to say who. You might thank them later, or keep the appreciation to yourself.

If nobody comes to mind today, let the question stay open without forcing an answer.

That’s the practice.

Watch for anyone who goes very still, tearful or far away. Do not single them out. Offer a break, or speak to them quietly afterwards.

The skill of compassion. Treating yourself and others with everyday gentleness, warmth, and care.

Where could you meet your own or another person's suffering with more warmth and a genuine wish to bring relief?

Try the interactive practice on this skill

The skill of compassion

Treating yourself and others with everyday gentleness, warmth, and care.

Hear this skill read aloud
Read the whole postTry the interactive practiceReflect on this skill for yourself

Adapting it

Ages 13 to 15
Students may choose to thank one person by name before leaving, if they want to.
Ages 16 to 18
Widen it to include someone whose work helps the school day happen, in the room or not.

If you have longer

There is a full lesson on this skill, about 42 minutes.

A small thing that helps
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