I chose this quote to write about today because I think we all often say things that sometimes would of been better to have kept to ourselves. Once we speak the thoughts we may have or say the things we may feel, we can never take them back. Words can be very hurtful, sometimes even more hurtful than a slap or a punch. A slap or a punch may be forgotten once the sting of the slap or the pain of the punch are gone. A person might become a little more careful when approaching someone who slapped or punch them, but eventually they will forget about how it felt. On the other hand, the words they heard will stay with them. Over time the words can really bring a person down. They may start believing those words. They may think of the words spoken every time they are near the person who said so cruelly spoke those words to them. Even when you apologize for your words, they may still linger on their mind and in their heart.

When you become frustrated with someone, whether they are a friend, family member or stranger, it would be better to keep what you might be thinking to yourself. There is an old saying, "If you can't say anything nice, than say nothing at all." That is something I think we all could work on doing more often. We are living in a time where we are all so busy, always thinking about all we have to do, that I don't think we really take time to think about the impact that our words may have on others. If we all would concentrate on being more positive to everyone we encounter each day, I think we could really make a big difference in the happiness of others and ultimately our own happiness. If we are making negative remarks or putting others down, then we are also bringing ourselves down. By saying rude things to others, we are setting ourselves up to be negative and that will definitely affect how we feel about ourselves.

I am going to ask everyone to accept the following challenge. When you catch yourself about to make a negative comment to someone, stop and walk away or better yet, stop and say something positive to that person.This will take a very conscious effort on your part. You may have to start out by really focusing on this challenge for little bits of time throughout your day. This applies to those comments you might make directly to a person, those comments you might make about a person to someone else, or just those comments you might make just in general to anyone around. Please try this for one week staring with just one day at a time. I can guarantee you that you will make a difference in the lives or others, but most importantly, you will improve your own life immensely. I too am taking this challenge, for I know there are times that I could be more positive to those around me and make a difference in their lives.

This past week working in a long-term subbing job I took, I encountered such a time. I had a student that was really pushing me to the limit. This student was bothering other students, saying things to them that was upsetting them. This student seemed unable to follow my simplest direction and I noticed other teachers in the hall telling him to behave. I was constantly correcting him, telling him to sit down, asking him to behave. Then I stopped and thought about his situation. He was completing his last week at our school and on the weekend would be leaving his home here and moving to Africa. I had him stay back when everyone left for recess. I talked a little bit about his moving and he shared that he was a little scared of moving and worried about not being there for the end of the year auction to cash in his bonus bucks. I made a deal with him to cash in his bonus bucks early and also asked if it would be alright if I brought in some cookies for him to share with his classmates on his last day. His face lit up. I told him I would bring the cookies in and just place them on a predetermined spot on the back shelf and then he could share them with his classmates.  On Friday he shared his cookies and his classmates celebrated him and wished him well and told him they would miss him. There were some cookies left and this boy came to me and asked me if I could save them and give them to the boys who were absent that day. That really touched me, here he was facing a huge change in his life, and he was thinking about the boys who were not there to have a cookie that day.

So let's all try little acts of kindness in memory of all those that are facing some of the most terrifying moments in their lives. If we can start to build up others, maybe be the only kind word they may hear, help them to feel better about themselves, then it will be so worth it. Please try to speak only kind words to everyone you may encounter. That includes those you may say something about even if you think they are not in earshot. By speaking kinder, you will not only be helping others to feel better, but you will begin to feel better yourself. You will also be setting an example for your children, as your children's first teacher is you. You will also be setting an example for those you work with or friends you may hang out with. Please try my challenge for one week by speaking only kind words to everyone you encounter and together we can make a difference, no matter how small it may be. 

I choose this quote today as we have a little less than a month left in school. I think it is words we can all live by, but I especially think it is something we should encourage all of our children and students to do. We need to be sure that everyone feels like they are important and to know that someone really cares about them.

I am spending most of this month in the classrooms at STRIDE. In the past couple of years STRIDE has gone through some amazing changes and it is quite evident when I walk the halls. It is so nice to be greeted by students with them initiating those greetings, or when I tell them to have a good day and they respond back by telling me to have a good day. I have also been asked how my day is going by students I pass in the hall. I am hoping that these exchanges are also happening among the students. I hope that they are encouraging their classmates both inside and outside of the classroom. I have witnessed students stopping in the hall to help another student who has dropped and spilled all their supplies. I have seen students get supplies, books or worksheets for another student who didn't yet have theirs. I have witnessed students encouraging another student to do their best and celebrating with them when they give the right answer.

All of this is a start. It's a start to try and make this a better world. A world in which children will feel safe within the walls of our schools. Feel safe to raise their hand and share their thoughts. Feel safe to read aloud among their peers, even if they might not know a word. Feel safe to try their best, even if they may fail. That these same students will know that people within that school care about them. To know that they will always receive support and understanding within the walls of their classrooms. That the schools in our country will go back to being safe places they once were, when none of us knew what a lockdown was.

So let's start each day with the purpose of making everyone we meet feel like they are somebody and that they are important. In doing this we will also end our day knowing that we are somebody who can truly make a difference.

It is prom time for my granddaughter. When I reflect on this, it's hard for me to believe that nearly 17 years have flown by since she first arrived on this planet. I remember her playing doctor with the family dog. She'd get Bailey into the bedroom and close the door so he couldn't get out. He was very patient with her as she checked his blood pressure and listened to his heart. I remember her playing with her friends in the neighborhood building friendships. I remember watching her first dance recital, not knowing the wonderful dancer she would develop into. I remember the day my daughter told me that she had noticed Emma seemed to sort of space out at times. She was only five years old. I then started paying attention and noticed what my daughter had pointed out. Jennifer took her into the doctor and they were referred to a clinic in the cities. Jennifer and Josh took Emma there, not fully understanding or knowing they were heading to the Minnesota Epilepsy Clinic. Emma was diagnosed with having mild seizures and put on medication. None of us had a clue that Epilepsy could come out from nowhere. We attended seminars about Epilepsy and read books only to learn that almost anyone can develop Epilepsy. Eventually Emma's seizures were diminished because of the medication. She continued the checkups at the clinic where she was monitored for hours being hooked up to machines. Eventually the seizures stopped and she was taken off the medication. 

Emma continued to dance and she seemed to find something that she was very good at. I had the wonderful chance to watch her dance at recitals and competitions. Throughout all of that, I watched her develop confidence, build teamwork skills and express herself in a way through her dance that brought tears to my eyes. I also watched her excel in her school work and become more involved in activities at school. She is a very good student and takes great pride in all she does. She has found her own way to manage her time to fit everything into her busy schedule. This included joining the cheer leading team and this past year to represent Big Lake as a Big Lake Ambassador. It has been so fun to watch this young women bloom into someone I am proud to know.

So I want her to live this quote, or maybe I should say to continue to live this quote. She already has begun. She has shown all that know her that she truly has a vision for her life and she believes in herself. I hope she continues to set her goals, reach for the stars and aim for whatever it is that makes her happy. I hope that she will continue to believe in herself and stay true to whom she is. I want her to know that I will always support her visions, no matter what they might be. I want her to have strength to stay true to all she believes in and to have the courage to stand tall when others may try to persuade her to sway from those beliefs. I want her to know that true courage comes when you stay true to what you believe deep down in your heart. I want my granddaughter, as I believe most grandmothers do, to follow her dreams, live her visions and to soar high in all she does. 

I hope she has the time of her life this weekend at her first prom. I hope she feels like a the princess I see when I look at her. I hope that this will be a memory that she will relive many times throughout her life. That the day will be magical and she will feel as special as I know she is. I hope she continues to have visions of what she wants her life to be and that she will work hard to fulfill those visions.