West Michigan students spread kindness by joining Positive Affirmations initiative 

A group of students in West Michigan is trying to make a big difference with something simple that not a lot of people think about. kind words.

The students, who call themselves the Odyssey Angels of Love, are working to create an official  National Positive Affirmations Day that would be celebrated every year on the day after Labor Day. Their goal is to encourage schools and communities to spread positivity, reduce bullying, and remind people that small acts of kindness can go a long way.

“So it started when one of us saw negative stickers, and it was really mean, which could bring people down,” Daya Lewis said. “So we decided, instead of bringing people down, we wanted to bring people up.”

The group included middle school students and a ninth-grader from the Wyoming, Grandville, and Caledonia areas. They were motivated through Odyssey of the Mind, a STEAM-based program that taught students how to solve problems creatively. According to Karen Zimmer, one of the parents helping with the project, the students wanted to use those problem-solving skills to help their community.

And that was the start of “Share the Love.”

This idea started after the students noticed a lot of negativity around them, such as bullying at school and negative messages in public. Instead of ignoring it, they wanted to do something about it.

Messages that lift up

The students use positive affirmations, short, encouraging phrases meant to make people feel better about themselves. Some examples include “you are enough,” “you’re the best,” and “love yourself.”

To spread those messages, they write positive affirmations on pencils and give them out at school. They also make bracelets, bookmarks, and keychains that students can wear, keep, or pass on to someone else who may need encouragement.

“We write positive affirmations on pencils, and then we’ll take them to school and give them to people, and hopefully that’ll lift them up if they’re having a bad day,” Lewis said.

The group also came up with fun activities to bring into schools. One of those is a “Share the Love” beach ball game, where students toss a beach ball with positive affirmations written on it, read one aloud, and pass it to the next person.

The project has reached outside the classroom. The students have made comfort items like stuffed animals and stress balls with positive affirmations attached. Some of these items have been donated to Ronald McDonald House to help comfort kids and families going through stressful situations.

And so far, the response to these messages has been positive.

“We’re having a very good turnout,” Zimmer said. “A lot of people want to do this, and we’ve been thanked quite a bit.”

Big impact

For some of the students, this project is personal. Some members of the group have experienced bullying, which is one reason why they wanted to focus on making schools feel more positive and supportive.

“Some people in our group have been bullied, and we want to reduce that,” says Gracie Zimmer, Karen’s daughter. “We want things to be better, especially in the school system.”

The students believe small actions can make a big impact, especially for someone who might already be having a hard time.

“For some people, they might just take it like, ‘Oh, whatever,’ but for people who are going through a lot, it might mean something and help change somebody’s life around,” Gracie Zimmer said.

That belief led the group to create the idea of Positive Affirmations National Day. They chose the day after Labor Day because schools are back in session, which gives students and teachers a chance to start the year by building a more positive environment.

The group hopes schools can celebrate the day with activities like writing affirmations, making bracelets or bookmarks with positive messages, and playing the beach ball game. They also hope workplaces use the day to encourage employees to support one another and show appreciation.

According to Zimmer, the students submitted the idea to the National Day Archives, a company that lists and markets national days proposed by groups and businesses, and it was submitted. Funds were raised to cover the $1,000 fee required to secure the listing.

Even if it is not official yet, the students say their main goal remains – to help people feel better and feel loved, and spread more positivity in the world.

“It would feel pretty heartwarming,” Lewis said. “I would love it if somebody came up to me and gave me something with positive affirmations on it.”

Photos by Tommy Allen

Solange Sifa is a senior at Lee High School who enjoys learning new things. She is especially interested in literature and archaeology. One day, she hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams.

To learn more about Rapid Growth’s Voices of Youth project and read other installments in the series, click here. This series is made possible via underwriting sponsorships from the Steelcase Foundation, Frey Foundation, PNC Foundation, and Kent ISD.