It's The Simple Things

I’m a Ted Lasso fan. I love the characters: flawed, often vulnerable, and endearing because of it. I love the simple messages that permeate every episode: be kind, look on the bright side, show up for each other. The series even deals with big issues, like mental health, with compassion and hope. 

I didn’t think I could love the series any more, but the last episode brought new joy for me (don’t worry, this isn’t a spoiler) when a scene included a Little Free Library (LFL). You know, those neighborhood boxes filled with books and the invitation to take a book, leave a book. 

With their diminutive size and often quirky designs  LFLs are charming.  Founder Todd Bols built the first Little Free Library in 2009 in Hudson, Wisconsin to honor his mother, a teacher. It was in the shape of a one-room schoolhouse. He soon noticed something interesting: people were drawn to it – not only because of its clever design, but also by the chance to gather around with others. Neighbors who had been strangers started talking with each other, swapping stories about books. People asked him to build more little libraries so they could put them up by their homes. His little library became more than a convenient way to share books and honor his mother  – it became a way to build neighborhood connections.

Today, according to the LFL website , there are more than 150,000 Little Free Libraries in 120 countries around the world, in communities large and small. Todd’s little idea continues to have ripple effects around the globe, especially in areas where access to books is scarce. It is heartwarming to see that LFLs are so ubiquitous that they were given a nod in Ted Lasso, one of the top watched series of our time.

At a time when tempers are frayed and bad behavior is getting a lot of press (for illustration, see this article on unruly behavior on planes), we need more kindness. Acts of kindness strengthen relationships and communities. Cultivating kindness is also good for your health, according to Mayo Clinic. Being kind to others improves self-esteem, empathy, and compassion while lowering blood pressure and stress hormones. Small, daily behaviors like holding a door open for someone, or doing a favor, make a difference. The biggest impact of kindness comes when we nurture social connections .

Robert Fulghum, in his wonderful book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten , reminds us that it is often the simple things that make all the difference: Share everything; Play fair; Live a balanced life; Take a nap every afternoon; Be aware of wonder, and eleven other mundane life rules that are profound in their simplicity. 

Simple ideals – sharing, kindness, helping your community – are evident in Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI ) at the University of Minnesota. The OLLI community connects around learning – from books of course, but also from each other. We thrive because of the people who volunteer their time and talents, who mentor new instructors and support our team, who donate financially to support graduate students and make OLLI accessible to everyone, and a myriad of other ways our members give to the OLLI community. OLLI is about learning, but it is about giving, and so much more – it is about building a sense of belonging and community. 

As we think about intentions for 2024, let’s all find ways to bring more kindness, connection, and sharing into the world. And a sense of wonder. If you want to channel your  inner kindergartener and explore the wonder of learning, check out the OLLI Winter Course Guide . From architecture to natural science, music to politics, history to memoir writing, there is something that will pique your interest.