Goal: Provide words of encouragement to others and build a tangible reminder of others of their gratitude and appreciation of having you in their lives, even for a short time.

 

1. Provide small boxes (pre-wrapped or unwrapped). Part of the magic of this is allowing the group to use their creativity in designing and personalizing their boxes. If decorating as a group, provide shiny wrapping paper, gems, sequence, stickers, ribbon, etc. for embellishments.

2. Provide small colorful note paper for messages to be written.

3. Initiate a discussion on how words of kindness, affection, and gratitude can build a person up and how words spoken in anger or disrespect can do the exact opposite and break a person down. Discuss how as humans, we have to live with the intention of kindness and also be kind to ourselves.

When leading, I have used blocks as a visual and will build a tower, one block per person. As I build the tower, I will say a positive message or express my appreciation aloud for each member of the group. Once complete, I will demonstrate how negative, hurtful, unkind words can be destructive and knock the tower over. The power to build and the power to make someone crumble lies within each of us.

1. Discuss how messages that are specific and genuine have more meaning (e.g. Thank you Mary, for taking the time to listen to me when I was down. I appreciate that you went out of your way to check in to see how I was doing – your smile shows me you care vs. I like your hair).

2. Write one encouraging message to each member of the group (I usually have them sign their names).

3. Write one positive message to yourself and continue to add these messages to the box.

4. I often encourage people to involve their outside world (family, friends, colleagues, etc. If they are comfortable).

5. In closing, discuss how each message represents just a small fraction of their greatness and will remain in the box as a reminder of these qualities.