A Seat for Kindness

Hey, my friend,

In 2013, a second grader named Christian Bucks in York, Pennsylvania noticed that some of his classmates stood alone during recess.

He had recently faced the possibility of moving to Germany with his family, and while looking at schools there, he saw a photograph of a playground bench that children could sit on to show they wanted someone to talk to.

Even after his family decided to stay in Pennsylvania, the idea stayed in his mind.

When he told his teacher and principal about it, they agreed to place a brightly painted buddy bench in a visible spot on the playground.

The idea was simple and clear. If a child sat on the bench, others would notice and invite them into a game or a conversation.

There would be no need to search for the right words to ask for company because sitting there would speak for itself.

The bench quickly became part of the school’s daily life.

Children learned to watch for it, and moments that might have been spent alone began to turn into moments of connection for the students.

Local news shared the story, and before long, schools across the United States began adding their own benches, often crediting Christian’s idea as the reason they started.

The buddy bench spread because it made kindness easy to practice.

My friend, we can bring the same spirit into your own day.

All it takes is noticing when someone might need a friendly word or an invitation, and then choosing to offer it.

And who knows that one small step can turn a quiet moment into the start of something warm for someone and for us.

Wishing you all the kindness and happiness, my friend.

That is it for today, and see you tomorrow.

Take care,
Prasad Mairale
Petals of Positivity 🌸