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WITandWISDOM(tm) - November 26, 2004 ISSN 1538-8794 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: Without deviation, progress is not possible. - Frank Zappa Source: http://robertbayer.tripod.com/INSPIRATIONALIDEAS/id9.html Submitted by Pastor John L. Bechtel, http://www.tagnet.org/fremont/ ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: I’m Telling On You By Ellie Braun-Haley “I’m telling on you” has a new meaning at an Alberta elementary school. “I’m telling on you” means I’m telling the class about the nice thing you just did. Laurie Braun believes positive words and actions can overcome the bullying so prevalent in most schools and, with the principal’s permission, inspires students to write reports of good things and kind gestures performed by other students. Laurie collects the reports, and posts them on a huge bulletin board, sometimes on paper teddy bears, sometimes on little T-shirts, and sometimes on other themes including lightning bolts. By the end of one school year she collected more than a thousand reports such as, "When I was by myself, Jeffry sat on the swing with me," and "I slipped and cut myself on the ice and Sara sat with me." Some children even filed positive reports about the crossing guard’s courtesy and helpfulness. Laurie’s project has resulted in less bullying, changed attitudes, and even resolving problems concerning the school. After receiving several reports of students helping students who had fallen on the ice, she realized there was a safety issue. The ice problem was soon corrected. Preparing and posting the reports has been a challenge for Laurie. Just finding space on the bulletin board has tested her abilities, especially one week when students filed sixty reports of kindness. “Kindness thrived,” says Laurie. Once the project got underway she saw kids sharing lunches and opening doors for one another. A child who had a reputation for arrogance was seen helping another clean out her desk. At the end of the school year Laurie posted all the good-deed reports as a final reminder that little things make a difference. The students retrieved the reports which featured their names, and took them home as mementos. “It all came about,” says Laurie, “because some of the younger children in the elementary school were worrying about bullying.” She adds, “I sincerely believe…an act of kindness should receive ten times the attention given to a deed that came about because of wrong choices. I wanted my program…to focus on the positive, on what is appreciated, not what is annoying or hurtful." One lonely child saw the result of focusing on the positive. She reported about a classmate, "When I needed a friend to play with, she was there." The bible has something to say about Laurie’s program. You’ll find it in Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31. We call it The Golden Rule. And the children affected by Laurie’s project have discovered the truth that a person who has friends must show himself friendly (Proverbs 18:24). For a parent who saw a need and filled it, Jesus promises he will come in the glory of his Father, and will reward Laurie according to her works (Matthew 16:27). By Ellie Braun-Haley, Copyright (c) 2004, shaley@telusplanet.net WITandWISDOM™ has used this with permission. Ellie is the author of four books and is presently working on a new book, a compilation of true personal stories about heavenly intervention. Her short stories have been published in numerous books and e-zines. ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: One-liners . . . Female DNA to male DNA: "Do these genes make me look fat?" Have you heard about the new diet for guitar players? It's the Chet Atkins diet. All you do is pick at your food. What's large, gray, and doesn't matter? An irrelephant. The Irish jig got started because there aren't enough restrooms in the pubs. What do you call 50,000 geeks playing Monopoly? Microsoft. Source: Quotes of the Day, mailto:rheamo@centurytel.net?subject=Subscribe_Quotes_of_the_Day ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: In a college English class once, my teacher announced, "For your assignment, I want you to describe yourself in ten words or less." I wrote, "Succinct." Source: Top Greetings ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: To have the White House send a greeting card to a friend: The White House Greetings Office Thank you for your interest in a greeting from President Bush. The White House Greetings Office handles as many requests as possible, in accordance with a set of long-standing guidelines. PLEASE SUBMIT GREETING REQUESTS BY: FAX 202-395-1232 The White House Attn: Greetings Office Washington, D.C. 20502-0039 OR WEB MAIL White House Web Mail Please review these guidelines carefully before sending your request to the White House. U.S. CITIZENS ONLY. The White House will send greetings to United States citizens only, for special occasions as outlined below. ADVANCE NOTICE REQUIRED. Your request must be received six (6) weeks in advance of the event date. We make every effort to honor every request, but we cannot guarantee a greeting if this guideline is not met. (Greetings are generally not sent after the event date, except for wedding congratulations and newborn acknowledgments.) ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS. Anniversary greetings are extended only to those couples who are celebrating their 50th (and subsequent) wedding anniversary. BIRTHDAY GREETINGS. Birthday greetings will be sent only to individuals 80 years of age and above. OTHER GREETINGS. A limited number of special occasions other than birthdays and anniversaries exist for which the Greetings Office will send appropriate recognition to United States citizens. These occasions include important events such as: Wedding (send your request after the event) Baby's Birth (must be born during the George W. Bush Administration; send request only after baby's birth) Eagle Scout Award Girl Scout Gold Award Bar/Bat Mitzvah or equivalent occasion REQUIRED INFORMATION. Please include the following in your request: name and home address of honoree(s) form of address (Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr., Miss, etc.) exact date of occasion (month, day, year) age (birthdays) or number of years of marriage your (the requestor's) name and daytime phone number Wedding (Include couple's married names and current or new address) Baby's Birth (Include baby's date of birth and full names and address of baby and parents) WHEN TO EXPECT YOUR GREETING. In most cases, greetings will be mailed from the White House approximately ten (10) days prior to the event. http://www.whitehouse.gov/greeting/ Source: Top Greetings |