The Juneau Police Department is implementing a city-wide initiative, the 2017 Year of Kindness (17YOK). The challenge is for every citizen of Juneau to do one random act of kindness per day, and one act of kindness a week that is specifically directed at someone outside their normal social circle. This is about extending a courtesy or doing something nice; no cost necessary.<\/p>\n
We are also maintaining a weekly surge event calendar in order to spotlight the efforts of local groups that are working surge projects. Groups are encouraged to email 17YOK@juneaupolice.com and reserve a week in 2017 for their kindness projects to be highlighted. Lemon Creek Correctional Center has reserved the first week and their efforts will be followed on JPD\u2019s Facebook page. I am looking forward to seeing what kinds of fun and original ideas come out of the weekly surges! <\/p>\n
Our chapter of the Alaska Peace Officers Association (APOA) has adopted the week of Thanksgiving in order to highlight our Shop with a Cop program, which provides kindness opportunities on many levels. People take the time to nominate families for the program, kids get to shop for gifts for their families, officers volunteer their time to make positive connections with children suffering some tough times, businesses can donate services and goods, and lots of volunteers support the effort, including the generous folks who donate money to make it all happen. I think we\u2019re going to have a lot of fun with our surge week.<\/p>\n
17YOK is planning lots of events. We will begin with two kick-off events in which folks are encouraged to write down their grudges and burn them up! The first one was on Saturday, Dec. 31 at Sandy Beach (one of the shelters). The second one is today at the Auke Rec main shelter (in conjunction with the Polar Plunge) from noon-2 p.m. Anyone who would like to practice a little kindness during these events can bring a dish to share and socks for the homeless. I can\u2019t imagine a better way to begin focusing on kindness than to start off by eradicating anger and practicing forgiveness. I have a few names and issues that I will write down and throw into the fire, and I will be grateful to be free of the bitterness! And folks will be invited to set aside partisanship and join us for an \u201cencouragement\u201d on Jan. 17. This is the opposite of a protest. We will meet outside the Capitol to encourage our legislators as they begin their session. We are all in this together and we need our team to be productive and successful. Keep an eye on the JPD Facebook page for event details as they are ironed out. <\/p>\n
I have decided that I am going to focus my personal kindness effort this year toward paying attention and being curious. I can be so wrapped up in what\u2019s going on in my own head that I completely forget to focus on what someone is trying to share with me. And I think it\u2019s quite rude to be so preoccupied by my own thoughts. Out of respect for privacy I don\u2019t make a habit of inquiring enough, as I don\u2019t want to intrude on anyone\u2019s privacy, but I think I need to be a little more verbally curious and express that curiosity in a way that reflects my genuine interest without coming across as nosy. It\u2019s a fine line that I need to test more this coming year. It\u2019s certainly a step outside of my comfort zone.<\/p>\n
Wayne Dyer said, \u201cWhen you squeeze an orange you get orange juice because that\u2019s what\u2019s inside. When someone squeezes you \u2014 puts pressure on you \u2014 what comes out is what\u2019s inside. And if you don\u2019t like what\u2019s inside you can change it by changing your thoughts.\u201d <\/p>\n
I hope this initiative will increase my awareness and I\u2019ll remember more often to pay attention and be curious, and that more often when I am squeezed kindness will be expressed. It will be a work in progress, but then, so am I!<\/p>\n
\u2022 Dee Ojard is a board member of the 2017 Year of Kindness Steering Committee, a database specialist for the Juneau Police Department and the secretary of the Alaska Peace Officers Association\u2019s Capital City Chapter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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