On Saturday, February 10, 2018, Skate Rising was back for another fun monthly event at the Encinitas Skate Plaza. This month the girls focused on getting out of their comfort zones and spreading kindness. The morning started off with Tracie Garacochea.
She’s an extreme athlete, who encourages everyone to go for it. She shared her inspiration through the story of how the Cookie Crumbles.
It really is up to each of us to look for the positive and to stay positive.
When we radiate positivity, that’s an act of kindness. In celebration of Random Acts of Kindness Week, the girls heard more about the connection between leaving your comfort zone and kindness because once you leave your comfort zone you’re able to share kindness with more people.
For instance, I shared my experience of finding a lost dog and going through the process of taking him home. The idea of finding a dog’s home terrified me – where would I go (he didn’t have a tag), who would I have to talk to (the police, animal control, ?), plus if successful I’d have to give up the dog (who I fell in love with). When I faced the fears and had his chip read, I found his home and I saw how my simple act made a family so happy. The act of being kind to the dog grew to being kind to an entire family.
To further illustrate how kindness can grow, Bridget founder of Yoga for Skateboarders led the girls in a planting activity. Just like a plant grows when attention is paid to it, kindness grows when we pay attention to it.
Plus the girls received a Random Act of Kindness Card. The card is an invitation to each girl to pay it forward in her own special way and then post a picture to Instagram tagged with #RAKweek2018 #skaterising #exposureskate. The girls will be able to watch their plant grow and see the pictures/stories of how kindness has grown because of them.
Finally, the girls showed kindness through all the supplies they brought to make kits for the homeless.
After the kits were made, it was time to skate!
In addition to free skate with all their friends, the girls had an opportunity to learn from the volunteers including Neil Mims.
My positive memories of learning to skateboard with Neal inspired me to volunteer.
What’s amazing is that once a girl is helped she goes and helps others – kindness growing right in front of our eyes at every Skate Rising.
The morning ended with a raffle and a donation from Woodward West. If you haven’t heard Skate Rising, which is EXPOSURE Skate’s Youth Program, is teaming up with Woodward West for this summer’s Girls Week. In appreciation for all the girls already signed up Woodward West made a donation.
It will be a fabulous week to improve skate skills and build friendships.
There’s still time to sign up for Girls Week and the 2nd Saturday of the month is always the time to meet up with Skate Rising in Encinitas.
Or if you’re in the Phoenix, Arizona area check out Skate Rising Phoenix on the 3rd Saturday of the month.
To find out more about Skate Rising including how to be a volunteer or sponsor contact the founder/organizer Calli Kelsay at [email protected].
Till next time keep it stylish on & off the board by being kind to everyone you meet.