Sunday, 25 February 2024

" Dare to Be "

 


When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.

When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.

When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.

When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.

When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.

When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.

When you're feeling tired, dare to keep going.

When times are tough, dare to be tougher.

When love hurts you, dare to love again.

When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.

When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.

When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.

When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.

When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.

When the day has ended, dare to feel as you've done your best.

Dare to be the best you can -

At all times, Dare to be!






Sunday, 11 February 2024

Smartphone

 


The Smartphone

 

“Come,” said the Pencil to the boy, “and draw with me.” So the boy reached for the pencil, about to touch it to his sketch pad. “But I can show you a three-hour drawing condensed into three minutes,” said the Smartphone.

So the boy watched the drawing of a world map, complete with oceans, seas, and capitals, finished in three minutes.

“Come,” said the Paintbrush to the boy, “and paint a river with me.” So the boy picked up the paintbrush, about to dip it into the sky-blue watercolor paint. “But I can show you a river in India, one in Alaska, and the largest waterfall in the world,” said the Smartphone.

So the boy watched videos of the Rivers Ganges and Alsek, and clips of Victoria Falls tumbling 5,600 feet into volcanic dikes.

“Come,” said the Books, “and read about a lion that battles a witch and a ship’s journey into heaven.”So the boy opened one, curled up on the couch and began reading. “But I can give you the movie,” replied the Smartphone, “and a soundtrack that stirs your soul.”

So the boy closed the book, got up from the couch, sat at the counter, and watched the video.

“Come,” called the Trees and Birds outside. “Climb us, and listen to us sing.” As the boy stepped outdoors, the Smartphone called, “But with me you can play a game where you scale mountains while dodging man-eating vultures.” So the boy stepped back inside to play the game.

With his face glued to the Smartphone, the iPad next to him dinged: a text. The boy glanced at the message. Returning to his game, he heard a ping: an e-mail in his inbox. He read it and returned to his Smartphone, where a flashing Snapchat announcement obscured a bloodthirsty vulture.

Next to his iPad, the pencil lay motionless, and next to the computer, the paintbrush unused.

And beside his Smartphone, “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” lay with uncreased pages, the lion’s roar stifled, the witch’s cackle silenced, and the gate into Imagination closed.

 

Parents

Delay the use smartphone and social media.

Encourage creativity, exploration, reading, outside adventures, art and movement.

This story is by Jill Thomas and was in the Star Tribune.


https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzGsnBfQZwjpkkkxbVXCMgQqgqKm

Advice from young people on the use of Social Media: 

"I would tell young people ... the internet is far off from reality and the more time you spend on it, the more you forget what real life is actually like...,"

"Don't let social media control your life or your self-esteem,"

"I have repeatedly deleted Instagram in an effort to improve my emotional state but then, I reinstall. Many times,"



If you're a Parent - get involved.

"In order to prevent addiction and manage digital wellbeing, it is important for parents to set boundaries for their children/teenagers,"

"Try to keep tech out of the bedroom."

Rules need to apply to the whole family, including the parents themselves. "For example, if you have a family dinner, no one has a device at the table," - "If a parent is driving your adolescent to a game or a practice ... the parent can say, 'If you're going to want me to drive you, you're not on your phone, you're talking to me.' "



 


Sunday, 4 February 2024

"Be Okay" - Lauren Daigle

 


Religion Room at school created by the students






Be Okay

You're gonna be okay
You're, you're gonna be okay
Oh, the sun will keep on risin' in that old familiar way
And every little thing is gonna be okay

You're gonna be alright
Darlin', you're, you're gonna be alright
'Cause the stars'll keep on shinin' through the darkest night
And you can know you're gonna be alright

Lift your eyes to the hills
Remember where your help comes from
Lift your eyes to the hills
You'll never face a valley alone
'Cause even when your heart is breakin'
And you've gone and lost your way
You're, you're gonna be okay

You're gonna be okay
I know that you're, you're gonna be okay
Not a care in this whole world can take that truth away
You're, you're gonna be okay

You're gonna be alright
Darlin', you're, you're gonna be alright
At the end of all our breath, when we're beckoned on to the light
Love'll meet you there, you're gonna be alright

Oh, the end of all our breath is the beginning of new life
You're, you're gonna be alright



Years later on the Plinth Assembly area St Lucia



www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfLYWlGmpnE&ab_channel=WGTS91.9




Forgiveness

  Forgiveness  My father once said, “If they hurt you, forgive them, but never forget what they’ve done.” This has always been a reminder ...