By Molly Schreiber
At Challenge to Change, we have been busy spreading kindness amongst our staff. We have been busy writing Kindness Grams to each other, expressing our appreciation and gratitude for one another. The result has been an abundance of smiles, hugs, and laughter.
Why are we spending valuable work time on our corporate kindness campaign? Beyond anything, we want our staff at Challenge to Change to be happy. We want them to feel they are seen and appreciated. We want them to feel good because every human being deserves happiness.
On a corporate level, we want our employees to be happy so that they can authentically practice spreading happiness and mindfulness to others. According to Harvard psychologist Shawn Anchor, author of The Happiness Advantage, happiness is important in every area of our lives, including work. In his research, Anchor found that;
“Data abounds showing that happy workers have higher levels of productivity, produce higher sales, perform better in leadership positions, and receive higher performance ratings and higher pay. They also enjoy more job security and are less likely to take sick days, to quit, or to become burned out. Happy CEOs are more likely to lead teams of employees who are both happy and healthy, and who find their work climate conducive to high performance. The list of the benefits of happiness in the workplace goes on and on.”
Researchers agree: happiness is integral to a truly healthy life. According to Anchor, “a quick burst of positive emotions…provides a quick and powerful antidote to stress and anxiety, which in turn improves our focus and our ability to function at our best level.” Our kindness grams have most definitely been giving us bursts of positive emotions.
Another way to produce feelings of happiness is to commit conscious acts of kindness. Taking the time to reflect on what we love and appreciate about each other, and then putting those thoughts down in writing, is a conscious act of kindness that boosts our own happiness level as well as those that are on the receiving end. It’s a win-win situation.
Our kindness campaign has been creating lots of smiles, and we wanted to share all that we have learned about the importance of happiness with you. If you receive a kindness gram from one of us, know that you have been seen by one of Challenge to Change’s staff members and you are helping to make the world a better place.
We wish you much happiness in the rest of your day. In the words of one of our most cherished practices:
May you be happy,
May you be healthy,
May you feel loved,
May you be safe.
Namaste,
Molly and the Team at Challenge to Change
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