It was a real pleasure for me to have author Leon Logothetis with us at Cathedral this last March and it started with a comment made by a fellow educator on Facebook. She wrote, “[I’m] finding solace in watching the ‘Kindness Diaries’ tonight.” Her comment intrigued me as I was planning to teach the concept of kindness in our next Friendship Group. – JOANNE COHEN
“Kindness is most definitely a way of life” – LEON LOGOTHETIS
Joanne Cohen: Why did spreading kindness become your mission? Leon Logothetis: I looked at what the world needed and I looked at what I could offer. Kindness kept making its way to the top of both lists. To me, kindness has always been about listening and connecting with the world at large. The best way to do that is to go out into the world and meet it with open arms at every turn. JC: Can you tell us a little bit about your show on Netflix? LL: The Kindness Diaries is a 13 part Netflix series that docu- ments my trip around the world on “Kindness One,” my vintage yellow motorbike, relying solely on the kindness of others. But this show isn’t just about receiving kindness; it’s also about giving back. Unsuspecting good Samaritans that helped me and came fully from their heart had received life-changing gifts. The show is a testament to the power of human connection and the kindness that I believe is within everyone. JC: What are some simple things we can do each day to raise kind children who invite inclusivity? LL: Children often learn from example. Act how you would have them act and they will emulate without even noticing. Be the best example you can be in all aspects of life and children will grow into your image. If you want kindness and inclusivity, be patient and welcoming. Show them what most of the world will not and they will take notice. JC: How can you inspire kindness in our children? LL: I have had the fortune of being able to travel much of the world many times over, and I have seen the kindness of it first- hand. I can share with them the stories shared with me and I can attempt to imprint upon them what I have learned: that kindness can come from anyone, anywhere, at anytime, and that no one is ever incapable of kindness. JC: Is kindness a way of life? LL: Kindness is most definitely a way of life. It must be persis- tent and daily, otherwise it is just an empty gesture. The kindness of an hour is fleeting, but kindness of today and tomorrow is forever.
JC: Is kindness a mindset? LL: Of course! If kindness is a way of life, then it must also be a mindset. One without the other is hollow. To live one way and think another is not a way to live, in my opinion. JC: What can I do every day to live kindly? LL: See the people around you. Listen to what they have to say. Listen to their stories and embrace them with warmth. Make the attempt to be kind and see where it leads you. JC: Which children’s books on kindness do you recommend? LL: “The Giving Tree” is a great story by Shel Silverstein for the wee younglings. “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry is a great story - suitable for children and adults of all ages - that shows kindness through the act of gift giving. Some might say that gift giving isn’t true kindness, that giving gifts is a farce for the wealthy. This isn’t true. In fact, gifts are one of the strongest kindnesses we can share when we give them with consideration and thought. When you take the time to think about another person’s needs and you act via a gift, you can rest easy in the comfort that you have been kind. JC: The Buddha says that one needs to love oneself, first, before they can love anyone else. Do you find this to be true? If so, how can I develop a practice of loving-kindness for myself? LL: Indeed it is. To love someone is to see them for all they are and accept them through all their faults and missteps. It is the ability to connect with another and embrace them without reservation. This is impossible when we are blinded by our own self-loathing. When we do not love ourselves, we tear ourselves down. And eventually that kindness we might have once had for others turns to malice, envy, hate, apathy, or any of the other unproductive emotions that we are all prone to. It is only when we love ourselves that we are able to push back and grow instead of falling even further in our missteps. As for practicing kindness, learn to forgive yourself as you would others, realize that everyone makes mistakes, and take the time to witness the kindness all around you. But most importantly, never give up. Realize that though we may falter, it is our continued perseverance that makes us strong and kind beyond bounds. There is no limit if we keep on growing. Imagine kindness and become kindness.
High-fives all around for kindness.
“I see you everywhere.”
The “Kindness Diaries” is a TV series featuring a man named Leon Logothetis who travelled around the world relying solely on the kindness of others. The show’s concept and the man piqued my interest so I started watching the series. Soon, I became hooked and wanted to share this uplifting series with my Cathedral students. So, I decided to Facebook message Leon and let him know I was sharing his story of kindness with my students and guess what? He kindly messaged me back. It turns out he was on a book tour and suggested that he could pop by the School to meet our Cathedral boys. Wow!
Before Mr. Logothetis’ scheduled visit on March 28, 2017, my goal was to have every Cathedral boy see at least one episode of the “Kindness Diaries.” Needless to say, by the time Mr. Logothetis arrived he was a bit of a celebrity. He gave three inspiring talks to groups of boys throughout the day and one to families in the evening. Long after he was gone, the boys still had questions for him, and so did I. So Mr. Logothetis once again kindly agreed to speak with me and we sat down for an additional conversation to discover more about the concept of kindness. Our conversation is here for you to read.
22 | CATHEDRAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS
FALL 2017 • RED & GOLD | 23
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