Good Stuff!

Dear Cathy

When I’ve had a bad day, nothing cheers me up like being with my best mates. They always know when to distract me, when to listen and when to offer a shoulder to cry on. My best friends really do rock!

Tamar, age 11

Dear Cathy

Have you heard of free hugs? I think the world needs more hugs, and going up to a friend and giving them a random hug is a great way to brighten up their day.

Esta, age 13

Friendship is one of the best ever fixer-uppers when you’re feeling down. Who knows you better than your friends? Who can make you smile, or hug you when you cry, better than they can? Unlike family, friends don’t have to be there for you. They’re there because they want to be, because they like you, because they care.

An hour spent with a good friend is priceless. Don’t shut your friends out if you are feeling sad or have a problem. Bottling up your worries just allows them to grow – be brave and share your feelings. Your friends can help because often they’ve been there too… they really can get you through.

Esta is right, the world needs more hugs. And she’s not the only one to think so… in 2004, an Australian guy started giving out free hugs in the street, and his campaign was so successful it has spread to the four corners of the earth. If it hasn’t spread to your school yet, see if you can do something about that! Hugging a friend for no reason in particular is a great way to make them – and you – feel better. Time to bring the free hugs movement to your town!

Dear Cathy

I have lots of friends, but one of them, Edie, is an 81-year-old lady who lives just up the road. She tells me all about what things were like in the war, and makes me hot chocolate. In return I walk her dog and fetch shopping for her when she needs it. It feels good to help.

Kirby, age 12

Dear Cathy

I loved your book gingerSnaps, especially Sam’s idea of ‘random acts of kindness’. I started doing one every day and it’s been brilliant… the feeling you get when you help someone else is great. It makes me a LOT less moany about my own problems, somehow!

Sahail, age 13

Helping others is a great way to forget your own troubles and make a difference to the world. When you stop being so wrapped up in your own problems, you get to see the bigger picture – and often realize that things aren’t so bad after all. And even if they are bad, you’ll maybe see that you can still come through…

Helping other people, whether it’s one elderly neighbour or a scattering of ‘random acts of kindness’, gives you the chance to do something good, something kind, caring, lasting. And that will make you feel good about yourself… I promise!