“You can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness.”
— Anne Frank
On August 11-13, we had the second run of System Work for the public (the first run occurred in May).
In case you missed it, System Work is a 3-day personal discovery and/or leadership development course that aims to help you navigate complexity in the system you’re in (e.g.: workplace, family, and community). We first introduced this learning in organizations last year. Due to positive feedback and the many, many requests we got to bring this type of work to more people in Indonesia, we decided to run the public course.
We saw a good turnout for the August run — there was a higher level of diversity in the participants, whether it’s their background (technology, healthcare, hospitality, education, general construction), work experience (professionals and students), and place of origin (Jakarta, Bali, Balikpapan, and Semarang).
We’d like to use this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude for the kindness of others — those without whom it wouldn’t have been possible to run our second public class this year. Their kindness is not only heart-touching, but it also makes a difference as it allows our System Work class to stand for something more; it’s not only a container for learning, but it also represents an opportunity to practice kindness and compassion.
Act of kindness
Some participants came because they were referred by their peers and colleagues who had attended the May run. We thank those who benefitted from the session and were willing to spread the word — they did it of their own volition and some even passed it on to their family members, such as their spouse, children, and parents.
Their act of kindness helped other people to decide if they wanted to take the class, and perhaps, get something out of it as they did.
For that, we’re grateful.
Kindness is doing what you can, where you are, and with what you have.
— The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
Pay it forward
Some even took it one step further: they paid it forward.
In other words, because they believed they got something valuable from the session, they were willing to repay it to others — strangers they did not know — out of the conviction that they too should at least have the chance to benefit from it as well.
We brought this up near the end of the session to inspire other participants to do the same thing and create a positive domino effect: what started as one good deed can have ripples felt far and wide beyond its starting point.
In addition, the positive domino effect allows us to bring System Work to more and more people by removing any barriers (e.g. economic barriers) that may hinder potential participants to join and learn together — exploring different parts of themselves through experiential learning.
It supports one of our missions: creating a sustainable and inclusive learning program.
To that, we are grateful.
“There is no small act of kindness. Every compassionate act makes large the world.”
— Mary Anne Radmacher
Act of service
One participant from the May run also volunteered to be a staffer — she was willing to lend a hand in any capacity that she could. Her act of service matters and makes a difference because it increases our chance of success in running the class.
Her willingness to help manifested in:
- Securing the venue for the public run
- Coordinating with the venue PIC re: setup, layout, and other logistics management
- Coordination re: guest flow
- Advertising the event by putting up flyers
- Providing food and refreshments
In addition, her presence during the session allowed my team and I to save energy and focus on other things. What she did was no small thing; she did more than expected.
We’re grateful to her.
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The 3 above examples are only a small part of the kindness we received. We stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us — those who carved the path and made it possible for us to be here.
Our hearts are full and we’re grateful to them.
PS: The Aug run was initially scheduled as the last public class this year. However, due to the increased interest from several individuals, we’re planning to have another public run. Thus, if you’re interested in signing up, then you’ll help us ensure we can run another class in Dec. Sign up here.
