Rachel's Challenge

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 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 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.

While I support your bringing this topic up: I watched the video and it brings up practicing compassion and kindness. I believe that's what I tryto practice everyday of my life and it's a result of of a teaching started 2,000 yrs. ago. It's by no means a new concept but an often ignored one nowadays. We are in troubled times due to loss of basic fundamentals we of another time were exposed to everyday. I fully support your bringing this up and I applaud you for doing so when these ideas aren't fully accepted anymore. Let's hope they don't fall on deaf ears. I kinda tried to go around making this sound too preachy. [Beer]

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Originally Posted by StagLefty

While I support your bringing this topic up: I watched the video and it brings up practicing compassion and kindness. I believe that's what I tryto practice everyday of my life and it's a result of of a teaching started 2,000 yrs. ago. It's by no means a new concept but an often ignored one nowadays. We are in troubled times due to loss of basic fundamentals we of another time were exposed to everyday. I fully support your bringing this up and I applaud you for doing so when these ideas aren't fully accepted anymore. Let's hope they don't fall on deaf ears. I kinda tried to go around making this sound too preachy. [Beer]

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Stag, I fully agree with your statement about hte origins of the concept, but we, not just as a society, but the whole world, have lost our way and we've forgotten what we should be doing. I think this program can help to remind folks what's truly important and offer guidance to get back to it - without "offending" someone with the implications of religion.

sounds like a good cause.

columbine wouldn't have happened if those kids hadn't been picked on.

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Originally Posted by theGinsue

without "offending" someone with the implications of religion.

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That's where I have a problem Bro-this whole thing about offending someone has lead us to where we are.

It's like feeding a dog pills inside a treat - sometimes you've got to sneak the message into peoples hearts and brains without ever mentioning the religious aspects and get 'em committed to the application since you know they'd never go for the message itself. This way you can reach a larger audience.

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Originally Posted by StagLefty

While I support your bringing this topic up: I watched the video and it brings up practicing compassion and kindness. I believe that's what I tryto practice everyday of my life and it's a result of of a teaching started 2,000 yrs. ago. It's by no means a new concept but an often ignored one nowadays. We are in troubled times due to loss of basic fundamentals we of another time were exposed to everyday. I fully support your bringing this up and I applaud you for doing so when these ideas aren't fully accepted anymore. Let's hope they don't fall on deaf ears. I kinda tried to go around making this sound too preachy. [Beer]

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Just 2,000 years ago? I thought Siddhartha/Budda was around long before that?
OM MANI PADME HUM

http://www.dharma-haven.org/tibetan/...padme-hung.htm

Unfortunatly I'm more of a Ghurka aka protector of the Compassionate One.

While I find this idea to have good intentions.
I'll give you 5 alternative challenges
1) Give up all your firearms{they are evil,they kill school children}
2) Bring a homeless home for 6 months
3)Never speed,even 5mph over posted limit
4)Walk,ride the bus/mass transit 3 times a week
5)Give Obama a second chance

They are easy,don't really cost anything.
Except #5,,it might cost another couple of trillion.

In truth I'm a proponet of Lennon's,,Give Peace a Chance

Except the group of 5 challenges I listed from Rachel's Challenge are plausible while those you listed are simply ridiculous. I certainly hope you were going for the laugh and not trying to be serious.

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Originally Posted by theGinsue

Except the group of 5 challenges I listed from Rachel's Challenge are plausible while those you listed are simply ridiculous. I certainly hope you were going for the laugh and not trying to be serious.

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Of course,,except for the OM MANI PADRE HUM :)

But I unfortunately know people that have done the first 4.
Also would probably do #5 if they could.
Unfortunatly I live in the Asspen Valley,,almost as bad as Boulder.