EXPERIENCE OPERATION SHOE STRING
Connor Dunnigan
OPERATION SHOE STRING AT A GLANCE
Operation Shoe String is an organization that helps kids ranging from the ages of 3-18 in the Jackson Metro Area. I had a discussion with a woman named Mrs. May who helps operation Shoe String and learned many interesting things. Most importantly, the organization plans to extend the services all across the state of Mississippi in the next months or year.
How can gratitude practices help Operation Shoe String?
When I began this journey I started with the gratitude practice of journaling. I discussed this topic with Mrs. May who seemed very excited about the idea. She told me that she has seen kids who have started to write her letters showing their gratitude, but said that doing this for themselves will help their mental health deeply. Journaling is something that most people have never thought about doing but after trying it can never stop.
WHAT IS JOURNALING?
REDUCES STRESS
Journaling is something that lots of people do every day to make them relax and wind down. Taking even just 20 minutes a day to journal your thoughts you will notice differences in the amounts of stress you feel every day.
HELPS WITH AXIETY
Feeling anxious is a common issue for teens especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeling anxious can be about things like school, sports, friends, and many more. By allowing to express yourself in your journal will make this anxiety start to fade so you can get back to your normal self.
HELP WITH DEPRESSION
Just like stress and anxiety, depression is something that lots of teens deal with every day. Some may not feel comfortable opening up to others about depression so having a pen and paper is the way to cope with that. Being able to let these things out is a huge part of dealing with depression.
OTHER BENEFITS
One main takeaway that I saw in many articles that I read was the reflection that people get through journaling. While journaling you have a chance to sit down and think about your day and maybe what you completed that day or things you wished you had completed. Overall journaling is a gratitude practice that this Positive Psychology course has made me take up. It has allowed my mind to almost float into other dimensions and I have become much more aware of my surrondings.
HOW WILL THIS BE POSSIBLE?
In the coming weeks, I plan on contacting Mrs. May about forming a fundraiser at my school for pens and notebooks. These materials would go straight to the children at Operation Shoe String for their personal use. Being able to do this would take a community effort but I plan on making this possible. Being able to explain to the people at my school the benefits of journaling and what they are doing for these kids would spread even more awarness on the topic.