It’s Monday, All!
I am at it again! Well, how would you like to go “Back to School” … in St. Louis, Missouri where a teen boy … unarmed … was shot in the back by a police officer who claimed he was being advanced towards and HAD to shoot … forensic science overturned this unnecessary lie …. The officer was said to be enforcing a warrant and the kid ran … What was in the officer’s heart at this moment?!?
A formidable topic at the onset of a new school year is “Who Am I?” Where and do I have to “fit in”? Can I be “myself”? What are my goals for this year? What is my plan or blueprint to make this happen?! Lots of questions … enter … “The Bully”!!! NOW what do “I”/”we” do? A bully is no longer just a big kid in the school that makes everyone shudder. A bully can be a teacher … it can be a school hall monitor or custodian … shucks … they come in ALL shapes and sizes! BOLO … “Be on the look out” is all I can say. You many need to put on the “armour” of your Creator to keep the “attacks” at a distance and their impact at a minimum. Put it in YOUR heart that YOU are worth it … you deserve to be happy and think well of yourself. Your Creator would ONLY want you to enjoy the gift of YOUR life. Don’t let anybody take it away … Put it in your heart!
Now, at this point in the article, perhaps, if I have your attention, keep in mind that you can let me know if you want to be removed from this list of e-mail recipients. Most folks write me back to say keep them on the list. I thank you; yet want to be sensitive to those with “thin skin” that may find my comments in these writings offensive; or those who simply don’t want to receive them! I am one who is well versed in “putting it in my heart”, which is where these writings come from. It’s a place that I safe guard and nourish as best I can. So, I say this to the students on the “Back to School” portion of their journeys. I remember them well … both as a student … and a teacher. Those were some seriously formative years. I thank my Creator and my parents for putting that discipline, self-analysis “stuff” in my head … They provided the environment that made me aware of things that I was privileged to experience … like a boarding school and an Ivy League University. So, now … I don’t think I am better than anyone … everyone has their place along this “journey” of my life. But …. definitely don’t try that “I am better than you!” trip on me either!! I say the same to the kids going back to school because it’s important for ones self-esteem development. No hostile energies allowed!!
So, keep in mind, on this first day of school … Put it in your heart …. whoever you are … wherever you are in life … and nurture it!
Peace,
John I. Cook, Director
Educational Excellence 