Giving Back- The Simple Stuff

Advisory Bulletin

Giving Back I – The Simple Stuff

December 1 - 5, 2014

This month we are focusing on giving back.  This week we are focusing on giving back in simple but meaningful ways to make the world a better place, simple ways like smiling and saying “thanks.”

Did you ever notice that the simplest things are sometimes the best? For some, just hanging with a good friend can be as enjoyable as going on a vacation.  A child can have just as much fun with the gift boxes as with the gifts themselves. 

Monday, December 1, 2014  --            Monday Morning Meeting

Tuesday, December 2, 2014 –

a.m. –                                                           

»        Kick off the discussion with a silly (but true) clip: http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/gumball/video/beauty-tips-clip.html  (It IS all in the eyes!)

»        Did you know??  … that from the standpoint of your brain’s reward center, receiving a GENUINE smile creates the equivalent neurological response as receiving $25,000!!!  Your brain reads those two situations equally.  Think about that!  Every genuine smile you give, it’s as if you just gave that person $25,000.  Every genuine smile you receive, it’s as if that person just gave you $25,000!

»        Did you know??  … that children smile genuine smiles (not social smiles) on average 400 times a day… but by adulthood people smile on average 20 times a day.  We need to smile more!  Such a simple way to make the world a better place!!

p.m. –

»        Kick off the afternoon with the first 2:20 of this video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9cGdRNMdQQ

»         

»        Discussion:  Who has a great smile?  What makes a great smile?  Scientifically, what makes a great smile….  face muscle chart (found in email and hand out)               

»        Let’s check out some yearbooks and distinguish between social and Duchenne smiles. 

»        trolling for smiles – look through the smiles below; can your advisees tell which smiles are social smiles and which ones are Duchenne?       Duchenne = eye muscles activated, smile lines around eyes, cheeks raised; corners of mouth upturned.

»        better yet, walk around and smile at people – who smiles back with a social smile? a Duchenne / genuine smile?  Try it at home!

Wednesday, December 3–  

           

            A simple way to make your life easier and grades better:  EXECUTIVE      FUNCTIONING!! Let’s take a look at your planners!  And your binders!

Thursday, December 4 – 

            So we know that simply SMILING in a genuine way is one way to make onesself and    others happier.  It’s one way to give back.  Another way to give back (& simultaneously             make ourselves happier):  just say THANKS more often. 

            On the white board or using post-it’s brainstorm people, places and things          for which             your group is grateful.

           

Friday, December 5 –

            1.  Introduce a new term, important for the month of December especially:  The           Hedonic Treadmill.  [Image: being chained to a treadmill]

            Root term: hedonism = the endless pursuit of pleasure over all else.  The Hedonic         Treadmill is a term that speaks to the fact that people tend to think that things will make them happier – that new pair of Kobe’s, having a lot of $, a fancy car, etc…  But what      scientists have observed is             that we get a quick surge of happiness when we receive a      material item.  After that, we return to whatever our normal level of happiness is.  So we are tied to this treadmill of wanting more and more.

            There’s nothing wrong with getting cool stuff.  It’s just that we need to recognize that it’s             also important to increase our regular level of happiness and that there are other, more             effective and long-term ways to do this.

            One way is by cultivating gratitude.

            2.  Show this 4+ minute video: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5lZBjWDR_c&feature=em-share_video_user

            3.  Either working individually or in pairs (depending on your group’s cohesion and     trust),             fill out the three columns on a piece of paper:

                        People  /  Places  /  Things … for which I am grateful.

            4.  Now attach people to those items listed – whom can you thank for that? 

            5.  Have each advisee write a SPECIFIC note on the back of the thank you cards             provided.  Vague=thank for being awesome.  Specific/Better:  Coach, thanks for staying      after practice with me to help me work on my lay-ups.

People who regularly focus on their gratitude list are HAPPIER PEOPLE.