@Anonymous THEY’RE NOT EVEN REAL PUPPIES!

@SWP Volunteer Obviously it differs from person to person, but the physical self is very much linked to the mental self, and small acts that may seem superficial on the surface can go a long way in shifting someone’s attitude or brightening their mood, even if just for a day, and that in itself can have a valid effect on a person’s psyche. The point of Random Acts of Kindness Week was to celebrate the small ways we can do to make each other feel better, happier, and more connected. I volunteered on Free Hugs Day, and although the majority of people admittedly passed us without a second glance, a notable number of people accepted my hugs gratefully, others (older people, I noticed) laughed and thanked us with airs of warm surprise, and several strangers actually came up to us and hugged us tightly without a single word. If we met even a single person who desperately needed that hug, then it was worth it. It didn’t cure mental illness on campus, nor was everything happiness and sunshine forevermore, nor were we expecting to. The message of the week (delivered with a bit of irony, I acknowledge) was to encourage people to give themselves and others small doses of happiness as often as possible, not just once or twice a year. Of course, there needs to be a shift (possibly a complete overhaul) in the way Columbia systematically addresses mental and physical health on campus, but there’s a lot of power in simple acts, too. If you have any good ideas on what SWP could work on, please feel welcome to contact any of the heads or members.