Impressions we make are long lasting....

"The habits we form from childhood make no small difference. They make all the difference,"
Professor of Neurology, Takao Hensch

Giving of Oneself

A mother came to Gandhi, seeking his help in persuading her child to give up his habit of eating too many sweets. Gandhi replied that she would have to bring her child back to him in two weeks. The mother was puzzled, but she returned. Gandhi then took the child aside and counseled him about the dangers of too much sugar. The mother wanted to know, "But why did you wait two weeks to talk to him?" Gandhi replied, "Because two weeks ago I, too, was eating sugar." http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/dec09/vol67/num04/Vital_Connections.aspx

Being generative requires giving something of oneself to create something new; a piece of art, a delicious meal, a beautiful garden, even a healthy child. As Gandhi suggests, children learn what is important from us....

Out of the mouths of babes.....

While working as a school nurse in Wapato, I asked a little girl if she spoke Spanish. She replied, "No Mrs. Fast, I speak Human." What she was trying to say was that she spoke English but the word just wasn't there. I, however, love what she actually said. We all speak Human don't we?

I want to share a podcast with you entitled The Inner Lives of Children. It is an interview with Dr. Robert Coles. The description follows.

http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/robert-coles/

Psychiatrist Robert Coles has spent his career exploring the inner lives of children. He says children are witnesses to the fullness of our humanity; they are keenly attuned to the darkness as well as the light of life; and they can teach us about living honestly, searchingly and courageously if we let them.

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It is a couple of days past Thanksgiving and I find myself full of gratitude, food, and passion to insure that all children are able to experience the same abundance. This blog is my small attempt to bring together great minds to help address child neglect and health and educational disparities in our country. I am committed, somewhat hopeful and fully aware that change will require the synergy of many. I hope you will join me in this important work.