Chanukah, a festival of lights

Tonight is the first night of Chanukah. It lasts for eight nights. Chanukah commemorates the story of a time when a small amount of olive oil, enough for one day, miraculously stayed lit for eight days. Every night in honor of this holiday, families who celebrate it, light a candle. The first night, one is lit, the second two, and by the 8th night, there are 8 candles lit. Families sing songs and play fun games.

It reminds me about the way you too create miracles every day with what you do. You often begin by lighting up “one child,” getting that child all excited about learning, establishing a connection, and soon, you have two children in your class, then three, then four, and slowly but surely, you captivate and light the spark in all children. In some children you create miracles. That is the best feeling of all.

Have a great day and a wonderful week-end and light the spark of love in all you meet.

Maryln

Why children don’t listen.

There are several reasons children don’t listen to grown-ups. First and foremost, they are tired of listening. They get so many directions, that they just tune out what is being said. Secondly, they don’t listen because the words carry no “oomph!” They know that the adult talking to them will most probably not follow through. Third, they don’t listen because they think they can have anything they want, whenever they want it.

It is important that children learn to listen to adults. It is about respect. When you talk to children, speak simply, clearly, and in a LOW but firm voice. Use the child’s name and be near the child when you speak. Tell the child what you need him or her to do. “Payton, I need you to sit down.” “Kaley, I would appreciate it if you would bring your notebook here.” Most importantly, when you say something, follow through.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

I am that I am.

Many years ago, I was going through a rough patch in my life and went on a retreat. It was held in a beautiful place in the mountains overlooking the ocean. One of the things we were asked to do was to go and stand at the edge of a mountain and watch the morning sunset over the ocean. I was always afraid of heights, so this was no easy thing for me to do. I walked over there by myself and went near the edge, and then backed off. I was scared. In my mind, I started hearing a little tune with the words, “I am that I am.” I kept humming it to myself, and little by little I walked over to the edge of that cliff, looked down, still singing, and saw the most magnificent sunrise. It was incredible. I felt so special. I went back to the retreat headquarters singing my little song, “I am that I am” as I walked. When I shared that experience with a person there, I was reminded that those were the words, God said to Moses, when Moses saw the burning bush and asked God, who He was, and God responded “I am that I am.”

God speaks to us each in mysterious ways. It may be through a little song you suddenly find in your heart. It may be through the smile of a child that reminds you that you are right where you are supposed to be. It may be that it is something you hear as part of a religious service. The important thing is to take listen and then to follow.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Be like a tree.

There are some children who need “a tree in their lives.” They need the strength of those branches and deep roots of faith. When my daughter died, I was depressed. I had to get through my grief and sadness. Talking about it to friends and family who were “trees” in my life helped. Doing something in honor of her memory helped me. Spending time with her children helped. At times I needed to cry. There were times I needed to pray. There were other times I went to a quiet place where no one could hear me, and I just screamed out my frustration. But the gift that helped me the most was having loving people around me (trees). These were people who gave me big hugs, and people who gave me hope and encouragement for my own life.

You can do this for others, be the support system that children need. Holiday time is often a time of lots of sad feelings, wishing for things that cannot happen. Help children to feel secure. Be that “tree,” that warm shoulder for them to lean on.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Let it begin with you.

On December 7, 1941, Americans lost their lives at Pearl Harbor. Today, 68 years later, countries are still fighting, and they still each think their way is the right way. I, for one, am grateful to live in a democracy, a land in which each voice can be heard, a land in which children can grow up and become anything they want to become whether they are male or female, regardless of race, religion, and/or socio-economic level. It is a land of hope.

As the holiday season is ushered in, let peace begin with you. Reach out to others in peace. Make amends where they can be made. Help children to dream, and to dream big. Nothing was ever achieved by accident or without a dream.

Have a great day and a wonderful week. You are a difference maker.

Maryln