Archive for the ‘Children’ Category

25 Days to Make a Difference

Sunday, December 2nd, 2007

“…a little child shall lead them”

Meet Laura.

Laura is a ten year old American girl who is ready to lead. With a belief in every person’s power to make the world a better place, Laura has launched a December, 2007 project called Twenty Five Days to Make a Difference. For those whose faith experience includes a season of Advent as well as those who just love Christmas, Laura is giving us a new approach to the holidays. How? (more…)

New School Year and New Beginnings

Monday, August 27th, 2007

For many of us, this week signals the start of a new school year.  Ahhh, summer is over, whether we are students, teachers, administrators, librarians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, parents or just commuters who pass through school zones.

For my part these many years later, I can still recall the smell of new books and old classrooms and almost hear the shrill exultation of that first period bell! I certainly can remember the nervousness and delight of trying new things (phonics, 3 digit numbers, cursive writing, volley ball, geometry proofs, Old English, Chemistry experiments, frog dissection…).

For those of you involved in education, I celebrate your commitment to the sacred task of empowering young hearts and minds. (more…)

Babies vs. Big Business

Saturday, August 11th, 2007
          Imagine that the world had invented a new “dream product” to feed and immunize everyone born on Earth. Imagine also that it was available everywhere, required no storage or delivery — and helped mothers to plan their families and reduce the risk of cancer.
Then imagine that the world refused to use it.

Towards the end of this century of unprecedented discovery and invention, even as scientists discover the origins of life itself, this scenario is not, alas, a fiction. The “dream product” is human breast milk, available to us all at birth, and yet we are not using it.– UNICEF

With that thought in mind, this past week, there was a happy bit of medical news : (more…)

What’s Your Story?

Monday, July 30th, 2007

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 Looking at these photos from my family album, you might think, What’s the Story? I can assure you, there are several stories represented here — each of them a treasure!

While many of us were told stories as children, fewer and fewer families are making storytelling a tradition. Maybe it’s because we have lifestyles that don’t have room for evenings with grandparents or long family meals. Maybe it’s due to the insistence of technology as a source of communication in our lives: television, internet, cell phones.

Whatever the reason, when we lose our stories, we lose a lot!

(more…)

Mindfulness for Kids

Saturday, June 30th, 2007

Kids meditating

The latest issue of Greater Good Magazine  is out,  and I want to recommend not only the magazine as a whole but also a specific article in this edition: “Mindful Kids, Peaceful Schools.”

The piece echoes one I read a few months ago in another of my favorite magazines, Ascent, a Canadian publication. That article was entitled, “The New ABCs - Awareness, Balance & Compassion.” (more…)

Fathers Be Good to Your Daughters

Monday, June 18th, 2007

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Posted by Anne McCrady

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In the US, it was Father’s Day yesterday, a day to acknowledge the very crucial role men play in their daughters’ lives, as mentors, as protectors, as supporters, as friends. It is a time to celebrate one of our most precious relationships. (more…)