theGinsue
10-29-2010, 16:43
I just had some friends in Massachusetts tell me about an amazing presentation they just saw at their daughters school.
Those of us living in Colorado, particularly those living in Littleton, have the dubious "honor" of living in the shadow of the worst school tragedy in American history.
Rachel's Challenge (http://www.rachelschallenge.org/) is a program developed by the father of Rachel Joy Scott, the first child killed in the Columbine massacre. It is presented at schools all across the country and seems to be making an impact - a little at a time.
The program gives 5 specific challenges
(1) Eliminate all prejudice in your live
(2) Keep journals, diaries, set goals
(3) Be aware of your influences in your life
(4) The little things can do so much – do those things in your homes and your communities that make a positive impact.
(5) Find five people that mean something to you in your lives to show them how much they mean to you in your life.
I looked into this program and found the the basic premise for this program comes directly from things Rachel Joy Scott wrote before she was killed. What I liked most about it is it seeks to "create a chain reaction of kindness". I can hear some of you now calling me all sorts of things, but hey, most of us on this site have mentioned at one time or another that we notice that our society is becoming increasingly more hostile and violent. Those of us with kids worry about their safety when they aren't with us becuase we know how dangerous other people can be. While the "Challenge" is presented and directed predominantly towards school aged kids, I think it would be awesome if adults adopted these values too. Would it hurt at all to try to practice random acts of kindness where we can - and maybe, just maybe, we could create the "chain reaction of kindness" that could directly and positively influence our communities?
For those of you with school aged children, I encourage you to check out the Rachel's Challenge (http://www.rachelschallenge.org/) site, learn about the program and see about getting it into your childrens schools.
I've never attended one of their presentations and I'm in no way affiliated with their organization, but the impact it made on my friends who did attend a presentation is nothing short of remarkable. These are folks who aren't typically swayed by sweet little platitudes and such. These are hard-core pessimists who are now singing a different tune. That says a lot to me about this program.
Well, check it out and let's hear from the rest of you.
Those of us living in Colorado, particularly those living in Littleton, have the dubious "honor" of living in the shadow of the worst school tragedy in American history.
Rachel's Challenge (http://www.rachelschallenge.org/) is a program developed by the father of Rachel Joy Scott, the first child killed in the Columbine massacre. It is presented at schools all across the country and seems to be making an impact - a little at a time.
The program gives 5 specific challenges
(1) Eliminate all prejudice in your live
(2) Keep journals, diaries, set goals
(3) Be aware of your influences in your life
(4) The little things can do so much – do those things in your homes and your communities that make a positive impact.
(5) Find five people that mean something to you in your lives to show them how much they mean to you in your life.
I looked into this program and found the the basic premise for this program comes directly from things Rachel Joy Scott wrote before she was killed. What I liked most about it is it seeks to "create a chain reaction of kindness". I can hear some of you now calling me all sorts of things, but hey, most of us on this site have mentioned at one time or another that we notice that our society is becoming increasingly more hostile and violent. Those of us with kids worry about their safety when they aren't with us becuase we know how dangerous other people can be. While the "Challenge" is presented and directed predominantly towards school aged kids, I think it would be awesome if adults adopted these values too. Would it hurt at all to try to practice random acts of kindness where we can - and maybe, just maybe, we could create the "chain reaction of kindness" that could directly and positively influence our communities?
For those of you with school aged children, I encourage you to check out the Rachel's Challenge (http://www.rachelschallenge.org/) site, learn about the program and see about getting it into your childrens schools.
I've never attended one of their presentations and I'm in no way affiliated with their organization, but the impact it made on my friends who did attend a presentation is nothing short of remarkable. These are folks who aren't typically swayed by sweet little platitudes and such. These are hard-core pessimists who are now singing a different tune. That says a lot to me about this program.
Well, check it out and let's hear from the rest of you.