Daps Magic: A Culture of Kindness

Let’s face it, the world is not an easy place these days. In many ways, it is more divisive and difficult than ever before. It is easier than ever to get angry at situations, technology, slow internet, long lines, incompetence, oh and did I mention people? Any or all of these things make it so easy to lash out. In the end (or maybe just the beginning) this adds fuel to the flames of conflict and just makes things even more difficult.

An act of kindness can build into a wave of good

– Mr. Daps

I would like to propose that we as a community who love Disney and positive stuff take a different approach. An act of kindness can build into a wave of good. It can be the first step toward building a culture of kindness and that can make the world a better place. At least, it can make the world within which we live and have influence over a better place. That is the kind of community and culture I would like to see us build in and around Daps Magic. In this post, I’m going to share some thoughts on why I think this is important and how I think we can do this.

The Power of Kindness

Kindness is a power that is so easy to overlook. After all, it seems so simple. Sometimes the simplicity of it makes it easy to overlook and just as easy to think it isn’t worth bringing up. However, it seems to me that what you focus on will grow. I think focusing on kindness and helping it grow in and around our community is a very good thing. Doing this can lead to some expected, and perhaps unexpected, benefits:

Kindness Builds Bonds – When people are kind, it builds both trust and deeper connections among community members. This can lead to more collaboration, creativity, and support when people feel both valued and respected. This can also lead to unexpected benefits as creativity and collaboration blossom in a safe environment. Basically, it helps create a culture where people can grow and thrive in a safe place. This has something Daps Magic has always sought to be.

Kindness is Healthy – Being kind actually has health benefits. Did you know that? Acts of kindness release feel-good hormones like oxytocin and reduce stress levels. A caring and kind community actually helps benefit the members of that community. Let’s be that kind of community, what do you think?

Kind Conflict Resolution – There are many different ways people deal with conflict. However, approaching conflict with a culture of kindness can encourage open communication and conflict resolution through dialogue rather than hostility. Will we get it right every time? Of course not, we are only human. However, it is a very good target to aim for!

Making a Difference – A kind community sees things beyond just what is good for the people in the community. Approaching situations from a perspective of kindness can lead to acts of kindness. This can be done for other members of the community, or other people/organizations in need that are recognized by the community. In the case of Daps Magic, Children’s Hospital of Orange County is an organization that we support. Every year we hope to make a bigger difference than the year before. As our community of kindness grows, hopefully our ability to make a difference will as well! Does that sound good?

Creating a Community of Kindness That Loves Disney And Positive Stuff

I know, at this point you are thinking, “this is all good stuff Mr. Daps, but you are over simplifying things. It isn’t that easy.” I’m going to partially agree with you actually. I don’t think it is easy. I do think it is simple. And as a mentor of mine often says, “simple is hard.” However, when there is a plan the hard becomes doable. Here are a few simple action steps we can take to help build a true community of kindness that loves Disney and positive stuff.

1. Lead With Kindness – I’m sure you have heard this before but you are a leader. In fact, everyone is leading someone (or multiple someones). After all, every person has influence on the people they come into contact, for better or worse. With that in mind, lead with kindness. Be an example of kindness. Take the kind approach. Modeling actions of kindness will influence others to do the same. The more people who do this the kinder community we will have! Easy? Perhaps not. Worth it? Absolutely!
2. Include Others – It is so important to make people feel welcome, included, and valued. How many people do we bump into that don’t feel like anyone cares? Simply including them can counter that feeling. It can make such a positive difference in people’s lives. Yes, people might be different and have different ideas. However, the celebration of diversity and inclusion builds people up, makes them feel heard and respected, and can lead to many unexpected benefits. All it takes is a simple act of welcoming to completely change how someone might feel about a community.
3. Encourage Kindness – It is so easy to be sarcastic, snarky, or dismissive of act of kindness. I don’t know if this is just to be funny or because someone is insecure, but when kindness (or really any action) is put down this can hurt feelings and do real damage. Even when people say it doesn’t matter. Instead of discouraging people, let’s encourage kindness. Can you commit to building people up when they are kind by thanking them, recognizing them, or sharing stories of kindness to help inspire others in our group.
4. Make a Difference Together – It’s more fun to make a difference together. Let’s influence the community around with us with kindness and commit to making a difference together. At the very least, this includes the CHOC Walk next year. Perhaps this could lead to other initiatives to help make a difference and be a positive beacon of kindness to the community around us.
5. Keep it Safe – Keep conversations safe. Embrace people’s ideas, even if you don’t agree with them. It is very easy for disagreements to become relational fissures. Instead, let’s work to disagree without being disagreeable. Let’s treat people with kindness, especially when we disagree with them. In the simplest terms this means, don’t put people down for having a different opinion or being different than you. This will help create a culture where people can express their opinions and feelings without fear. This also will help create a culture where different topics, ideas, and even concerns can be discussed in a positive and productive way and not a distructive one.
6. Practice Active Listening – One of the kindest things you can do for another is to actually listen when they are speaking. Let’s be a community that seeks to actively listen and show empathy to people in all of our interactions within Daps Magic (and beyond). When people feel heard and understood, they are more likely to reciprocate with kindness.
7. Celebrate Kindness – Let’s celebrate kindness! If you see someone in our community who is consistently showing acts of kindness and helping build a culture of kindness, please reach out to me (Mr. Daps) and let me know so they can be thanked and celebrated!
8. Just Keep Swimming – Creating a culture of kindness isn’t something that just happens overnight. It is an ongoing process that takes time to build. You will be seeing more posts like this in the future that reinforces this effort to create a culture of kindness and to continue to #keepkind. I hope you will join me in helping reinforce these ideals and build an incredible community that loves Disney And Positive Stuff. I think it will take time but in the long run it will be more than worth it.

From the very beginning of Daps Magic in 2004, we have always had core values that define who we are as an organization. These core values have helped us make decisions through the years and act as a guide for just about everything we do. For many years, there have been seven core values. However, now, there are eight with #keepkind being core to who we are and who we strive to always be. Here are the updated core values of Daps Magic:

1. FUN – Daps Magic believes that life is meant to be enjoyed. As a friend of Mr. DAPs says, “if you’re not having fun, you’re done.” That is what it is all about! Let’s have fun together!
2. POSITIVITY – Coverage will be positive and fair. Critical thinking and critical coverage is acceptable.  Put-downs or attacks of any kind are not acceptable. If it isn’t nice, it shouldn’t be said or published.
3. KINDNESS – We strive to have a culture of kindness that builds people up, whoever they are.
4. MAGIC – All actions should both promote Disney magic and also maintain the integrity of the Disney magic.
5. RESPECT – All people should be treated with respect. This includes respecting people’s dignity along with their privacy. This also applies to celebrities.
6. FAMILY FRIENDLY – All coverage and/or publications of any kind should be family friendly.
7. QUALITY – Coverage should be current, accurate, and meet journalistic standards. Other content should also reflect a high level of excellence as well.
8. INTEGRITY – Daps Magic will strive to maintain the highest level of integrity in the way it runs every aspect of its website. This includes both honesty in any publication and also ethical and honest behavior by Daps Magic staff.

Creating a culture of kindness is something that can be beneficial to all who are in the community and all who come into contact with it. It can also be a powerful way to foster empathy, support, and unity among our members. This is something that I can’t just do alone. I need your help. Yes you, if you have read this far through this post, I am going to guess that you have some mild interest in wondering what could happen if Mr. Daps’ crazy idea for building a culture of kindness actually happened. I hope that you will join me in building this. By implementing the tips above and making kindness a priority, you can help contribute to creating a caring community where everyone who loves Disney And Positive Stuff can thrive. Remember: small acts of kindness can ripple outward, creating a more compassionate world for us all. Let’s start today, and watch the positive transformation unfold in our community of Disney And Positive Stuff and beyond!