Working at a summer camp is not the only way (even though it’s one of the best). Consider these 68 simple ways to make the world a better place.
1. Be curious
2. Lend a hand
3. Learn all you can
4. Be gentle with those who make mistakes- including yourself
5. Share
6. If you don’t have to step on that bug, don’t
7. Upcycle, recycle, reuse, home make- turn trash into treasure
8. Be open, stay soft, be flexible
9. Ask questions
10. Remember names
11. Put people first
12. Invest in your neighbors daily
13. Listen
14. Don’t stop at the surface
15. Say, “I love you”
16. Withhold judgement
17. Start over whenever you need to
18. Reach out
19. Try
20. Advocate for something
21. Plant a seed
22. Add laughter where can
23. Spend time outdoors
24. Let others have the right-of-way
25. Give thanks
26. Say thanks
27. Give people a chance (or two)
28. Dismiss perfectionism
29. Explore
30. Every now and then, ignore the mirror
31. Start from the heart
32. Choose words that lift people up
33. Buy two, give one away
34. Sometimes, step up- other times, stand back
35. Hear people out
36. Seek understanding
37. Never boo- always cheer
38. Have a hankering, a sweet tooth, for life
39. For someone in need, give up your place in line
40. Be humble
41. Appreciate yesterday, but move on from it
42. Celebrate even the smallest of achievements
43. If you can lighten someone’s load, do it
44. Invest in children
45. Don’t turn a blind eye
46. Trust
47. Pats on the back, high fives, hugs- reach out and touch
48. Celebrate others
49. Celebrate success
50. Celebrate failures
51. From harvest to heart- honor the work that goes into a good meal
52. Bring life wherever you go
53. Don’t give too much thought to what happens behind your back
54. Deliver bad news tenderly
55. Remember what it’s like to be every age you’ve been thus far
56. Be someone’s safe haven
57. Stay true to truth and dare to dare
58. Break as many falls as possible
59. If you can’t find splendor at first glance, take a second
60. Give compliments
61. Accept compliments
62. Think long and hard before you ever swing a fist
63. Recognize lessons everywhere
64. Show up for tomorrow
65. Trust in your ability to do hard things
66. Lean on someone
67. Let someone lean on you
68. Be of service
Even when it seems like the walls are caving in, life can be a total blast. Below are 100 thoughts on how to turn a bad day into a good one. Our camp staff keeps these in their back pockets just in case. Lessons on life that apply!
1. If it seems like the sky is falling, catch it.
2. It’s not the number of zeros on your paycheck that makes you rich.
3. Knowing right from wrong is only half the battle.
4. A smile will do more for your face than any powder, shadow, or serum.
5. Stop signs exist for a reason (as do blinkers).
6. Ask people questions about themselves. They love it.
7. Before a dinner party, memorize at least three jokes.
8. You’re never too old to jump on a trampoline.
9. More than likely, the book is better than the movie.
10. Get to know your neighbors.
11. If you use the last of the toilet paper, change the roll.
12. Hold the door.
13. Admit when you’re wrong.
14. It’s rarely a good idea to cut your own hair.
15. Turn off the TV during dinner.
16. Punxsutawney Phil isn’t always right.
17. It’s better to laugh with, than to laugh at.
18. Stand for something.
19. Things don’t always have to make perfect sense to make perfect sense. Look at Dr. Suess.
20. Just because you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, it doesn’t mean you have to lay there all day.
21. Give your phone a break.
22. Sometimes, homemade pizza is just better.
23. Know your friend’s birthdays.
24. You can cheer on your own team without booing the opposition.
25. Know exactly which documents you need before you go to the DMV.
26. Don’t hit the snooze button more than twice in one morning.
27. Remember that you can choose to be your own worst critic or your own biggest fan. Try to find a balance between the two.
28. The check engine light in your car is not just a suggestion.
29. Never underestimate the power of a thank you note.
30. Your comfort zone is just a jumping off point.
31. Buy Girl Scout cookies.
32. Don’t put the carton of milk back in the fridge if it has anything less than a full glass in it.
33. Even if you don’t celebrate a particular holiday, respect those that do.
34. If your towel is wet, hang it up.
35. Every now and then, get a little dirt underneath your fingernails.
36. You’re going to end up with more Tupperware containers than you’ll have lids to fit them. That’s just how life goes.
37. It’s okay to tell someone if they have something in their teeth.
38. The best wedding guest is the one who dances her heart out when the music starts.
39. Everyone in life can be a teacher.
40. If you’ve laughed so hard that you’ve snorted, it’s been a good day.
41. Be patient with your friends around April 15th. Filing taxes can be stressful.
42. GPSs can make mistakes.
43. Appointment books are a lifesaver.
44. Take advantage of the library.
45. If someone needs an umbrella more than you, give them yours.
46. See the best in people
47. Never stop learning.
48. Set your clock ten minutes early.
49. Learn when to speak up and when to stay quiet.
50. Memorize the Pledge of Allegiance.
51. Leave a big tip.
52. Stay hydrated.
53. Be mindful of your internet presence.
54. Cherish family photo albums.
55. If you meet any couple married for more than 20 years, ask them the secret to love.
56. Spend time outside.
57. Always have an extra cup of sugar on hand for the neighbors.
58. The only way to tell if your sauce is any good is by tasting it yourself.
59. Keep snacks in your purse. Hunger is a grouchy mood’s best friend.
60. Invest time and energy into your relationships with your coworkers.
61. Sometimes, it’s more about the question than the answer.
62. Floss daily.
63. Tone and inflection matter to people’s feelings.
64. When sharing food, give your friend the last bite.
65. Even if someone is driving well below the speed limit, do not tailgate them.
66. Don’t keep tabs on every single debt you are owed.
67. Spend your lifetime believing that you are in the right place at the right time.
68. Every now and then, take out your headphones. Let everyone enjoy your music.
69. Be thankful for every candle on your birthday cake.
70. Never mind the naysayers.
71. Realize that you have a stroke of genius in you.
72. Take healthy risks daily.
73. If you’re walking outside on a cold day, keep a tissue in your pocket.
74. Be more than just how you look.
75. Keep a bowl of candy on your desk.
76. It’s never to late to learn how to swim.
77. If someone asks, “Can you do me a favor?” Say yes whenever possible.
78. Study history.
79. Don’t scratch mosquito bites,.
80. Make a wish on shooting stars, dandelion seeds, face-up pennies, eyelashes, and anytime a clock strikes 11:11.
81. Learn how to identify poison ivy.
82. Even if you don’t love the food, thank the host.
83. Create a bucket list.
84. Don’t always take fashion advice.
85. Always know the date.
86. Divide large projects into a series of smaller, more manageable tasks.
87. Tell loved ones how much they mean to you.
88. Not every flower needs to be picked.
89. Never consider loving chocolate a vice.
90. Invest in a First Aid Kit.
91. Roast a marshmallow every once in a while.
92. Surprise yourself.
93. Remain calm when you stain your shirt or jam the copier.
94. Be okay with mismatched socks.
95. Just because the sky is gray, it doesn’t mean you have to feel blue.
96. If you’re picking someone up at the airport, bring flowers.
97. Don’t ignore mold on food.
98. Laugh daily.
99. Go with your gut.
100. Take every bit of advice with a grain of salt.
Bathing suit season can bring quite a bit of anxiety into the worlds of our campers and staff members. We’re inundated with the idea that, before we slip into our bathing suit, our body needs to change- smaller, flatter, smoother. The truth is the only thing that needs to change this bathing suit season is our mindset. We all already posses a body beautiful enough to wear whatever we want, we just need let our mind in on this secret.
Notice What We Notice
We tend to have a complicated relationship with our mirror. Our blemishes and asymmetries are the first thing reflected back to us, while we rarely notice the beauty and functionality of our bodies. When we notice what we tend to focus on in the mirror, we can begin to change our entire worldview. Taking in more of the beauty of our natural image will serve us well during bathing suit season.
Think Through Our Thoughts
Our thought patterns are the true culprits that keep us out of our bathing suit. Reconsidering any of our self-limiting mindsets can train us to embrace our beautiful body as it is, just as it is. We can keep an eye on our thoughts when we find ourselves engaged with these restrictive mindsets:
Comparing- We’re only ever going to be ourselves (and isn’t that exciting because we are great!), so we might as well rock a bathing suit on the body we were born with!
All or nothing reasoning- The fun of life lies in between absolute perfection and total failure and not achieving the former does not not automatically make us the latter. Of course, we’re not perfect, but we are strong, beautiful, capable, and lovely!
Confusing feelings with facts- What we feel is not what we are. We may fixate on how we feel about our “flaws”, but this does not mean that we are flawed as a person.
Going overboard- It is so easy to take one small thought and allow it to spiral out of control. For example, we may try on a bathing suit this spring that fits a little snug. This does not indicate that we should never try on anything ever again and that we’re worthless, and that we should go ahead and cancel our beach trip and live in our sweatpants! (See? Our thoughts can get very big very fast!)
Watch What We’re Watching
Hollywood and glossy magazine ads can quickly negate any positive sense of self-worth that we work so hard to create and maintain. We can keep our own reality in check be recognizing the distortions in these images. With Photoshop, even the models in these photos don’t look like the models in these photos.
Perfect Our Perceptions
There’s a lot more to us as people than how we look. Our minds are sharp and we have so much to offer the world. We are not a number on a scale, the size of our jeans, or the laugh lines on our face.
Pack On The Positive
Let’s allow our minds to celebrate our bodies in all that they do for us. Thank goodness that we are healthy and strong enough to go for a swim in the first place!
Look At The Big Picture
Live boldly! How we look and feel in a bathing suit has very little to do with the quality of our lives. Outside ourselves exists a whole delightfully charming world just waiting to be explored and enjoyed. And oh how lovely that we can experience some of it in a bathing suit!
Being a great camp counselor means being aware of the needs your campers have, even when they don’t express them directly. It can mean knowing when to speak and when to listen. At times, camp life asks us staff to be quiet. Here are a few times when we best serve ourselves by staying silent.
When We’re In The Mud
Anytime we find ourselves engaged in a nasty conversation, we should shut our mouths. Gossip and cruel words about the character, clothing, or personality of anyone else adds no value to our own lives. In fact, those powerful words do quite the opposite. At these times, we can open our mouths only to stand for the hard right against the easy wrong.
When We’re Learning
Teachers come in many forms- bosses, children, friends, books, newspapers, animals, moments, and, of course, teachers. When life is presenting us with a lesson we should work to keep our mouths closed. We can listen and observe, and allow our minds time to process the experience before we jump in with our own opinions.
When a Friend Comes To Us
Often times, we just want to help. When a friend or loved one comes to us with an issue, our first instinct is to problem solve. We, initially, must resist this urge. Let’s give our friends the time and space they need to explore their troubles from multiple angles. Instead of talking, we can listen, nod, empathize, and speak only when our loved one elicits our help. Mostly though, in this moment, they are searching for a listening ear.
When Good Things Are Happening Without Us
This shut-our-mouths moment is crucial for those of us who work with children. We want to facilitate conflict management, encourage healthy risk-taking, and manage our children’s choices so that they will make the right ones. Of course, we need to model best behaviors and teach our children healthy and wholesome ways to live their lives. After this, we can take a step back now and then. We’ll be amazed at how well children can manage their own arguments and how gracefully they can implement the lessons we’ve passed on to them. Practice makes perfect. Let them practice without us every once in a while.
When People Are Watching Us
…and we’re watched more than we realize. What we say helps those around us determine who we are as a person. If what you are about to say may speak negatively about your character: keep it to yourself.
When Life Is Good
Sometimes we talk over our own bliss. Allotting ourselves just a few moments of quiet observation each day can help us see how beautiful our lives really are.
Beautiful people have a way of moving about the world- there is just something about them. We all stop and take notice. Beauty transcends hair, clothes, or posture. In fact, it has entirely nothing to do with physical appearance. When we meet a truly beautiful person, we recognize them right away and they inspire us to become the best version of ourselves.
Read on as we put our finger on exactly what makes a beautiful person beautiful.
1. They Are A Bright Spot. Beautiful people leave you feeling refreshed. A beautiful person understands how to energize, support, encourage, and love the people around them. You can count on a beautiful person to laugh at your jokes, answer your calls, ask engaging questions, notice your haircut, and provide inspiring advice.
2. They Listen. Often times, we listen to others as a stepping stone on which to place our own story or experience. As others speak, we cognitively calculate our next words. A beautiful person truly listens for the sake of understanding. A beautiful person approaches conversations as an opportunity to strengthen her connections and relationships. She turns off her own mental chatter and wraps herself up in the moment.
3. Their Lips Turn Up. Beautiful people smile, simple as that. Throughout the day, a beautiful person’s lips are busy smiling, laughing, and singing the praises of the world.
4. They Bring Out The Good. Beautiful people take refuge in the happiness of others. They posses a desire to help others experience joy. You can count on a beautiful person to be your biggest cheerleader.
5. They Compliment. A beautiful person takes the time to highlight the beauty in others. They seamlessly elevate people’s sense of self-worth simply by complimenting the world as they see fit. They don’t worry about being too over-the-top.
6. They Notice The Little Things. A beautiful person fills her day with beautiful moments. She doesn’t limit herself by only celebrating the “big” moments in life- promotions, holidays, proposals. She rejoices everyday- green lights, blue skies, funny jokes.
7. They Understand The Spotlight. And when to share it. A beautiful person can read a crowd. She knows when to take the lead and she understands when to pull back. Sharing credit and praise makes a beautiful person feel fulfilled.
8. They Understand That A Hard Life Is An Interesting Life. She knows that life is full of speed bumps and set backs. A beautiful person doesn’t shy away from dissenters. She realizes instead that life will throw you a punch now and then to keep you on your toes. A beautiful person understands that a life that lacks troubles and stresses is a life that lacks color and excitement.
9. They Are True To Themselves. We spend most of the day speaking to ourselves. Our inner dialogue guides our day, it directs our actions. A beautiful person takes ownership of her inner voice and directs in a way that feeds her soul. Beautiful people have fine-tuned their self-critique to a brief experience with the intent to improve. Other than that, beautiful people treat themselves kindly. After a quick analysis, they let missteps and mistakes go and engage in gentle and encouraging self-talk.
10. They Understand Beauty. A beautiful person looks beyond the size of her jeans, the hue of her lips, and the length of her hair. Beauty, as understood by beautiful people, is not something you see, it’s something you feel. A life spent engaged in meaningful, uplifting activities trumps a life spent in front of the mirror.
And camp is where we see it, and experience for ourselves. Our best selves blossom with caring camp counselors, caring camp friends, and a caring community. So much beauty!
Stephen Wallace’s article Always Thank the Bus Driver featured in the American Camping Magazine’s May/June 2011 issue inspired our plans for this weekend. Wallace claims that camp teaches us to “thank the bus driver”. It’s all about appreciation and gratitude. Why wait for camp to cultivate a greater sense of gratitude?
This weekend, let’s appreciate this wonderful life that we are living by giving thanks! Here’s a few suggestions how:
1. No Mirrors
Challenge yourself to go through the weekend without looking in a mirror. You’ll have more time to thank your body for all it does and less time to analyze everything you’d like to “change” or “improve” about it. Your body allows you to jump, sing, clap, dance, and play! Let’s appreciate it!
2. Stop, Drop, and Roll
This famous fire safety tip works well to cultivate our sense of gratitude. When you have a quiet moment this weekend, Stop what you’re doing for a moment. Drop all the thoughts and to-do lists running through your mind. Roll through all the people you know. Who has gone out of their way to help you recently? I bet the list is longer than you might have guessed. Thank goodness for all the people who care for us! And for staff, there camp counselor resources are a great reminder.
3. Both Sides Now
The famous Joni Mitchell song Both Sides Now is a beautiful example of perspective. The song begins with Mitchell singing about clouds. In her younger years, Mitchell’s imagination saw angel’s hair and ice cream cones in the shapes formed by the sky. In adulthood, Mitchell was annoyed by clouds. They snowed and rained and got in the way of her plans. It’s so easy to let life lose it’s luster. With a subtle shift in perspective, life doesn’t have to seem quite so tough.
4. Share Yourself with the World
The word “donate” is not necessarily synonymous with the word “money”. Giving of ourselves can enhance our appreciation of not only what we have but who we are. What do you share to the world? Are you a great listener? A fabulous joke teller? A beautiful singer? An excellent gardener? Your talents are your gifts- give them away this weekend. And as a superstar camp counselor!
5. Look Up, Down, Sideways, and Byways
There’s a whole world out there to explore! Look beyond yourself and leave no stone un-turned.
6. Overestimate
“Overestimate” people’s abilities and capacity for compassion and they will rise to the occasion. At camp we say, it’s way more fun to think the best of people!
Let this Saturday be better than your Friday and worse than you Sunday. With a little effort and practice, camp life and regular life can just keep getting better and better.
Your personality. You take it with you everywhere you go in life. Just like your trunk and your linens, it certainly comes with you to camp. Dr. Ethan D. Schafer describes different aspects of our personalities in his article How Understanding Your Personality Will Make You a Better Counselor. He shows us how understanding these components and their interplay with one another can transform our success as counselors.
Dr. Schafer outlines “the big five model”. This is a set of five major traits by which we can all be measured- thus, our personalities. Each of the five traits exists in a continuum rather then a category. If you categorize your personality your claim, then, is that you’re either, for example, an extravert or you’re not. You may not be surprised that researchers claim that your personality is much more complicated than that. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle of these two claims.
The “big five” personality traits Schafer suggests that counselors explore in their own personalities are extraversion, neuroticism, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness. As previously mentioned, considering each trait as a continuum, counselors determine where their personalities fall by aligning with a “very low” or “very high” amount of each trait on the five scales. It is important to keep in mind, Schafer warns, that personality traits are neither “good” nor “bad- they are what they are. The importance in understanding our own tendencies lies in how we use our personalities to effectively interact with the world.
Extraversion:
Extraversion refers to how strongly someone is programmed to seek positive emotions. In general, high scorers on this scale are sociable and enthusiastic. At camp, these counselors will embrace all the new opportunities presented to them, but may struggle to “follow through” on certain tasks. Low scorers are sometimes called “introverted.” They tend to be more careful and measured in how they relate to others or how they try new things. These counselors may prefer small group settings and will need to schedule more down time to refresh themselves.
Neuroticism:
Neuroticism refers to how someone is wired to experience negative emotions like anxiety or sadness. High scorers tend to be “sensitive”, they feel emotions intensely. This can work well at camp because these people tend to be more prepared for stress as they have had more practice dealing with it. They are more likely to be on guard for dangers; a very useful tool in risk management. These counselors really need to monitor their emotions while at camp. Low scorers on this scale tend to stay calmer in a crisis situation, but are less likely to take the emotional distress of others seriously because they struggle to connect with it. These counselors need training in risk management.
Conscientiousness:
Conscientiousness refers to self-control. High scorers tend to be disciplined and organized. These counselors do well at camp with autonomy and a set of responsibilities. They may have trouble when a situation calls for flexibility. Low scorers are a bit more spontaneous and impulsive. They do well with situations that are fluid and constantly changing. These counselors must work on skills such as planning and promptness.
Agreeableness:
Agreeableness refers to caring about others. High scorers are empathic. Counselors with high agreeableness will be very patient and understanding. They will, however, need to work on listening to constructive criticism without taking it too personally. Low scorers put less weight on emotional factors and interpersonal issues when making choices about how to behave. These counselors tend to do well with making difficult decisions without taking matters personally. Low scorers need to make deliberate efforts to understand the emotions of other staff members and campers.
Openness to Experience:
High scorers in this category tend to be unconventional and creative. At camp, this leads to innovated thinking and leadership styles. These counselors may need direction, however, to value the traditions and the structure of camp. Low scorers are more literal and concrete. These counselors love to work on concrete tasks. They need to work to remember not to allow their disinterest in more free-flowing ideas to influence their camper’s decisions.
Schafer concludes by stating that learning what works best for our personalities is a lifelong process. Camp is the perfect place to begin.
