Make Today Paper Plate Day

No, I’m not talking about waste!

An old exercise came to mind this afternoon, one I haven’t thought of in a while. During one class in middle school, that was focused more on life than reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic, we had to do the paper plate exercise. Each of us had to take a piece of masking tape and attach a paper plate to our backs. Then, we all had to go up to each person, and write one true, genuine, and nice thing about each person. At the end, we had a plate full of compliments from friends, people we never talk to, and even cute boys whose thoughts you’d never really learn at that age.

They were anonymous, but of course, we all figured out who wrote what — but that was okay. In that world, where kids are ridiculously judgmental and sensitive, it was a real treat to see how other people saw you. Surprisingly, everyone was honest. It was both a moment to share the little things that you admire in another, without it seeming weird, and a chance to take notice of the things that people admire/appreciate in yourself. You might hate this or that about yourself, and never notice this other thing that another person appreciates within you, but that you never notice.

The plate is buried somewhere in my keepsakes, so I can’t quote anything, but I remember being surprised, happy, and touched with how my life has affected others, and how others saw me.

I think it’s something we all need, even today. I just wish it was feasible in the modern world. One could make a virtual paper plate, but there’s just something about the tactile experience that’s much different than an anonymous comment on a blog, or a virtual paper plate.

It’s so very easy to express distaste and anger, but so much more beneficial to be positive — so wear a paper plate today!

And if that’s not possible, remember to tell those you appreciate just why you appreciate them.