Showing posts with label character clips. Show all posts
Sunday, September 4, 2016
A Stronger Song
I almost didn't go to church this morning, because it's a holiday weekend here, and I was feeling kind of lazy. But we're starting a Karen Kingsbury book study and I'd invited my friend Carol to join me for our Sunday School class so I went, because I said I would. And I'm so glad I did, because our teacher shared this video clip, which really has me thinking, reflecting, and wondering.
It's so interesting, the two versions of Amazing Grace that this talented music director sang. The first one was pretty textbook, safe and clean. But when the host gives him a new perspective from which to sing it and couples it with his permission to bring it, his voice amplifies and he sings with incredible passion.
So today's question is this: What makes your song better?
Is it trust? A willingness to be vulnerable? Knowing your why?
Is it a safe place? Community? Unconditional positive regard?
Lately I've been thinking a lot about my recovery from being hit
by that drunk driver because that life-changing event ended up
strengthening my song.
It taught me to slow down and savor,
it taught me to be grateful in all things,
and it taught me to forgive.
Even though it was a dark season of panic and pain,
the whole ordeal held an opportunity,
the burden hid a blessing.
I just had to be willing to look for it
and be ready to recognize the gift when it found me.
It took a lot of patience, persistence and perseverance;
sometimes more than I thought I could muster.
But it was totally worth the work.
Liz Murray had this to say about staying the course:
It takes courage to change our song,
to trust enough to leave the script,
to share our music with passion,
to sing it out for the whole world to hear.
How will you sing a stronger song today? Tomorrow?
This week? This month? This year?
This week? This month? This year?
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
A New Frequency
Today I'm thinking a lot about empathy and mindset.
This clip really stops me in my track.
Every. Time.
It's probably because my first thought, belief, mindset ...
is that she's going to be in trouble.
Big Trouble.
For cutting her hair.
Who among us hasn't had this very scenario play out
in our very own bathroom, or bedroom, or classroom?
Those beautiful locks chopped by a certain young somebody
armed with a scissors and lots of curiosity.
But then the frequency moves ever so slightly down the dial,
totally switching the sound and feel of the station,
and our emotions take that roller coaster free fall
that at once thrills and terrorizes.
I like that in a film clip and I can't wait to show this to
my middle-aged leaders.
I think I'll couple with with a reading from this book:
 |
| Click the graphic for the Teachers' Guide |
It's the graphic-novel memoir of CeCe Bell's life as a child
with a hearing impairment and a funny look at how a young CeCe navigated through what must have been at times painfully difficult to find a friend and soar to new heights.
My questions for both the clip and the reading will be:
How do they feel?
What do they want?
What do they need?
How do they use their superpowers to persevere?
How might having a growth mindset change things?
How could you use your superpowers to help?
And my question for you, dear reader, is this:
How might your life be different better if you take a new look at something,
move that dial up or down, to find a new frequency today?
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Finding JOY in the Journey
I've heard it said that you can tell a lot about a person, who they are and what they value, by what's on their desk. Or table, if you don't have a desk. Would it follow that the wall behind their desk also has something to say?
Today was a joyful summer day, my first away from the office on summer break. I spent the morning relaxing, then volunteering for Meals on Wheels with my friend Carol. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together visiting while we drove around delivering those eleven lunches. And smiling at people. And trying to find our way. When we finished, we treated ourselves to lunch at McAlister's. Yum!
Then I napped, chatted with some friends on the phone, read for a little while, thought about grocery shopping, decided against it for today, warmed up leftovers for dinner. Sounds like par for the course, the way my summer days will go, when I'm home, that is. So where in the world will I be this summer?
This Friday, I'm going to Menchies Pearland Parkway to celebrate their Grand Opening and my book's first birthday. We'll talk about our strengths as superpowers and there'll be a raffle for a signed copy of What's Under Your Cape? and this cool Menchie's wristwatch. Won't you join us?
Next week I'll spend three days doing my first solo Character Counts! Character Development Seminar in Somerset ISD near San Antonio. {It's not too late to register; let me know if you're interested} At the end of the month, I'm headed to Long Beach, CA, to talk about empathy, compassion, and kindness at the National Association of Elementary School Principals conference.
In July, I'm headed to the Character Congress Conference in Mexico - Ole! Then I'll also be speaking at a local church and at Mossman Elementary at the Village before the month is out.
In August, I'm flying to Dallas for a three-day CDS with Mansfield ISD before flying back to CA for a day-long Unleash the Power Within workshop on the 7th. When I return, it'll be time for our district's Tech Symposium, where I'll be joining Jen McCray, a connected educator at Cline, to present Hashtags and PLNs and TweetChats, Oh My. On the 17th, I'm going back to Mossman, then I start back to my job the following day.
When I'm not working, you can find me relaxing poolside.
Please let me know if you're in the area,
because it would make me happy to connect in real life.
On one of my CA trips, I get to meet up with Jill, from Kids For Peace. Registration for The Great Kindness Challenge 2016 is now opened!
Here's to a joy-filled, happy summertime.
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