When The World Says No

Tonight I'm excited because we had such a fun time hosting twenty educators from Ross Elementary, a school down the road in a neighboring district, who were checking out our character climate. Several of them sat in on a peace class with me and my second graders and I was so, so proud of those peacemakers who just went on doing what they do while sharing the room with our visitors, 
no questions asked. 

I just love helping school families as they embark on their trip

down Character Road, especially when they're as eager and enthusiastic as these teachers and administrators are. It was a win-win, really, because as we helped to jumpstart their journey, my battery was totally recharged and 
I fell in love with my school all over again.

Speaking of batteries, have you seen this Duracell commercial? It features Seattle Seahawks Fullback Derrick Coleman, an athlete who, despite his deafness, persevered through overwhelming obstacles and odds to play in the NFL. 
Click {here} to read his story.

Two points that this young man makes that really resonated with me are that he was "picked on and picked last" and that when people told him it couldn't be done, "I've been deaf since I was three, so I didn't listen." 
He didn't listen, and he didn't quit.

Just this morning on my way to school I was thinking about the saying about the difference between a goal and a dream is a plan. What I might add to that is that you need some passion and some people to support you as you work to achieve those goals and dreams. Derrick Coleman had a plan and he didn't let naysayers get in the way of his goals or his dreams. What an inspiration.

May we never be dream squashers!