Posters: "Compassion"-"Empathy"-"Walk Away"- "I see you"

 

200th. "Nutrition for the Soul"

 

Hope -  Fearless Soul

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFatp1mi1hM&ab_channel=FearlessSoul

I was down I was out
I was feeling so low
I’m trying to stay on top of things
I was all on my own with nowhere to go
it’s so hard to find my way

but no matter what
I’ll pick myself up
I have to dig deep
get back on my feet
I will reach my dreams
I know it’s not easy
there’s so much more in me
impossible is nothing

I have hope
I have hope
I still have hope
I still have hope
I can lose it all
but they can’t take this from me

I try and I try but I keep on losing
sometimes it hurts so bad
I cry and I cry but I keep on moving
I know there’s light at the end of the tunnel

but no matter what
I’ll pick myself up
I have to dig deep
get back on my feet
I will reach my dreams
I know it’s not easy
there’s so much more in me
impossible is nothing!

I have hope
I have hope
I still have hope
I still have hope
I can lose it all
but they can’t take this from me

if I have hope I’ve got it all
if I have hope I’m not alone
if I have hope I’ll get unstuck
if I have hope I’ll never give up

I have hope
I have hope
I still have hope
I still have hope
I can lose it all
but they can’t take this from me

and now a story with a message. 

Think before you act

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She
hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for
her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.'
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came
off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.
He asked her,' Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The
girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his
closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of
looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.
Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying:
'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they
were mine.'
This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a
very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their
side in the most painful situations.

Followed by something to reflect on : 

“If I had my child to raise over again:

I’d build self-esteem first and the house later
I’d finger paint more and point the finger less
I would do less correcting and more connecting
I’d take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes
I would care to know less and know to care more
I’d take more hikes and fly more kites
I’d stop playing serious and seriously play
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars
I’d do more hugging and less tugging
I’d see the oak tree in the acorn more often
I would be firm less often and affirm much more
I’d model less about the love of power
And more about the power of love.”
Diane Loomans

Check out an extract from the Movie ; " Mr Holland's Opus" 

click on the link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjY-YuWVkus&ab_channel=CindyorkHongKong

Cole's Song 

I feel that the love around me
Has come from another world
I have lost love
I have found love

From the moment you were born
I could see a new beginning
Come to me, let me tell you how
How I've lost love

And now I've found love
In a world of broken dreams
I was wrong
To deny your feelings

And I'm sorry
If I've caused you pain
I was lost then
So confused then

And I believe that
You would change that
There are broken hearts we can mend
Through the music we've learned to love again

Through the sad notes
Through the years
There were times when I just couldn't tell you
And now we've come

To an understanding
And I'm sorry
That it took so long
I have lost love

I have found love
From the moment you were born
I have lost you
And now I've found you

Let me feel your heart
Let me hear your song

" A Taxi Journey "

 

A Taxi Journey

 I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard

box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'

'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive

through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighbourhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let’s go now'.

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.

They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut.             It was the sound of the closing of a life..

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY

WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~THEY WILL

ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM

FEEL.

 

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

 

"You are your best judge"

 

YOU ARE YOUR BEST JUDGE!!! 

 Once upon a time there was a painter who had just completed his course. He took 3 days and painted beautiful scenery. He wanted people's opinion about his calibre and painting skills.
He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And just down below aboard which read -"I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake."

While he came back in the evening to collect his painting he was completely shattered to see that whole canvass was filled with Xs(crosses) and some people had even written their comments on the painting.

Disheartened and broken completely he ran to his master's place and burst into tears.
This young artist was breathing heavily and master heard him saying "I'm useless and if this is what I have learnt to paint I'm not worth becoming a painter. People have rejected me completely. I feel like dying"

Master smiled and suggested "My Son, I will prove that you are a great artist and have learnt a flawless painting. Do as I say without questioning it. It WILL work."


The young artist reluctantly agreed and two days later early morning he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master. Master took that gracefully and smiled.
"Come with me." master said.

They reached the same street-square early morning and displayed the same painting exactly at the same place. Now master took out another board which read -"Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. I have put a box with colours and brushes just below. Please do a favour. If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it."

The Master and disciple walked back home.

They both visited the place same evening. Young painter was surprised to see that actually there was not a single correction done so far. Next day again they visited and found painting remained untouched. They say the painting was kept there for a month for no correction came in!


Moral of the story :

It is easier to criticize, but DIFFICULT TO IMPROVE!

So don't get carried away or judge yourself by someone else’s criticism and feel depressed...
JUDGE YOURSELF! YOU ARE YOUR BEST JUDGE!!

" I'd do anything for Love" - Meatloaf

 

I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)

Meat Loaf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srEe6K34DVo&ab_channel=kendallward

+ here is the link from the New Choir from Toronto - amazing tribute to a Rock Legend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x6ke1MoUrc&list=RD0x6ke1MoUrc&index=1&ab_channel=newchoirToronto

And I would do anything for love,
I'd run right into hell and back
I would do anything for love,
I'll never lie to you and that's a fact

But I'll never forget the way you feel right now,
Oh no, no way.
And I would do anything for love,
But I won't do that
No I won't do that

Anything for love
Oh I would do anything for love,
I would do anything for love
But I won't do that
No I won't do that

And some days, it don't come easy
And some days it don't come hard
Some days it don't come at all
And these are the days that never end
And some nights you're breathing fire
And some nights you're carved in ice
Some nights you're like nothing I've ever seen before
Or will again

And maybe I'm crazy
Oh it's crazy and it's true
I know you can save me
No one else can save me now but you

As long as the planets are turning
As long as the stars are burning
As long as your dreams are coming true
You better believe it

That I would do anything for love
I'll be there till the final act
And I would do anything for love!
And I'll take the vow and seal a pact
But I'll never forgive myself if we don't go all the way
Tonight
And I would do anything for love
Oh I would do anything for love
Oh I would do anything for love
But I won't do that
No I wont do that

I would do anything for love
Anything you've been dreaming of
But I just won't do that
I would do anything for love
Anything you've been dreaming of
But I just won't do that
I would do anything for love
Anything you've been dreaming of
But I just won't do that

And somedays I pray for silence
And somedays I pray for soul
Somedays I just pray to the God of Sex and Drums and Rock 'N Roll.

And some nights I lose the feeling
And some nights I lose control
Some nights I just lose it all when I watch you dance and the thunder rolls

And maybe I'm lonely
That's all I'm qualified to be
There's just one and only
The one and only promise I can keep

As long as the wheels are turning
As long as the fires burning
As long as your prayers are coming true
You better believe it

That I would do anything for love
And you know it's true and that's a fact
And I would do anything for love
And there'll never be no turning back

But I'll never do it better then I do it with you
So long
So long
And I would do anything for love
Oh I would do anything for love
I would do anything for love
But I won't do that
No, no, no I won't do...

I would do anything for love
Anything you've been dreaming of
But I just wont do that

I would do anything for love
Anything you've been dreaming of
But I just wont do that

I would do anything for love
Anything you've been dreaming of
But I just wont do that

I would do anything for love
Anything you've been dreaming of
But I just wont do that

I would do anything for love
Anything you've been dreaming of
But I just wont do that

I would do anything for love
Anything you've been dreaming of
But I just wont do that

I would do anything for love
Anything you've been dreaming of
But I just wont do that

But I'll never stop dreaming of you every night of my life
No way
And I would do anything for love
Oh I would do anything for love
Oh I would do anything for love
But I won't do that
No I won't do that

Will you raise me up?
Will you help me down?
Will you get me right out of this Godforsaken town?
Will you make it all a little less cold?

I can do that!
Oh I can do that!

Will you hold me sacred?
Will you hold me tight?
Can you colorize my life I'm so sick of black and white?
Can you make it all a little less old?

I can do that
Oh oh now i can do that

Will you make me some magic with your own two hands?
Can you build an emerald city with these grains of sand?
Can you give me something I can take home?

Now I can do that
Oh now I can do that

Will you cater to every fantasy I got?
Will you hose me down with holy water, if I get too hot! (HOT)?
Will you take me places I've never known?

Now I can do that
Oh, oh now I can do that!

After a while to forget everything
It was a brief interlude and a midsummer night's fling
And you'll see that its time to move on

I won't do that
I won't do that

I know the territory
I've been around
It'll all turn to dust
And we'll all fall down
And sooner or later you'll be screwing around

I won't do that!
No, I won't do that!

Anything for love
Oh I would do anything for love
I would do anything for love
But I won't do that
No I won't do that

" Pause, Reflect, Support..."

 Pause, reflect and remember Ashling's Family, Friends, Teachers and Children at her School. 

The Empty Chair on the Late Late Show speaks for itself. 

Below is the message for Parents, Grandparents, Teachers etc.  to pass on to Children and Students at Home, in the Community and at School. 

I believe that every school both Primary and Secondary should have their own Peace Candle to light in solidarity to create a peaceful world - The statement on the candle below reads as follows: 

" I am for Peace, that means I will always create peace at Home, at School, in the workplace and in the world"   - a Mantra to say often - you can make a difference

" The Giving Tree "

 

The Giving Tree 

Once there was a tree....
and she loved a little boy.
And everyday the boy would come
and he would gather her leaves
and make them into crowns
and play king of the forest.
He would climb up her trunk
and swing from her branches
and eat apples.
And they would play hide-and-go-seek.
And when he was tired,
he would sleep in her shade.
And the boy loved the tree....
very much.
And the tree was happy.
But time went by.
And the boy grew older.
And the tree was often alone.
Then one day the boy came to the tree
and the tree said, "Come, Boy, come and
climb up my trunk and swing from my
branches and eat apples and play in my
shade and be happy."
"I am too big to climb and play" said
the boy.
"I want to buy things and have fun.
I want some money?"
"I'm sorry," said the tree, "but I
have no money.
I have only leaves and apples.
Take my apples, Boy, and sell them in
the city. Then you will have money and
you will be happy."
And so the boy climbed up the
tree and gathered her apples
and carried them away.
And the tree was happy.
But the boy stayed away for a long time....
and the tree was sad.
And then one day the boy came back
and the tree shook with joy
and she said, "Come, Boy, climb up my trunk
and swing from my branches and be happy."
"I am too busy to climb trees," said the boy.
"I want a house to keep me warm," he said.
"I want a wife and I want children,
and so I need a house.
Can you give me a house ?"
" I have no house," said the tree.
"The forest is my house,
but you may cut off
my branches and build a
house. Then you will be happy."

And so the boy cut off her branches
and carried them away
to build his house.
And the tree was happy.
But the boy stayed away for a long time.
And when he came back,
the tree was so happy
she could hardly speak.
"Come, Boy," she whispered,
"come and play."
"I am too old and sad to play,"
said the boy.
"I want a boat that will
take me far away from here.
Can you give me a boat?"
"Cut down my trunk
and make a boat," said the tree.
"Then you can sail away...
and be happy."
And so the boy cut down her trunk
and made a boat and sailed away.
And the tree was happy
... but not really.

And after a long time
the boy came back again.
"I am sorry, Boy,"
said the tree," but I have nothing
left to give you -
My apples are gone."
"My teeth are too weak
for apples," said the boy.
"My branches are gone,"
said the tree. " You
cannot swing on them - "
"I am too old to swing
on branches," said the boy.
"My trunk is gone, " said the tree.
"You cannot climb - "
"I am too tired to climb" said the boy.
"I am sorry," sighed the tree.
"I wish that I could give you something....
but I have nothing left.
I am just an old stump.
I am sorry...."
"I don't need very much now," said the boy.
"just a quiet place to sit and rest.
I am very tired."
"Well," said the tree, straightening
herself up as much as she could,
"well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting
Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest."
And the boy did.
And the tree was happy.