lrubin39
hpettifordFor the last two days, the blog has addressed issues related to violence. As I thought this morning about sticking with that them, I heard about the shooting in Las Vegas. Six high school students were shot getting off their school bus. They believe the shooting was in retaliation of a fight that occurred earlier that day at school over a girl.
To be perfectly honest, I’m sick of hearing, and talking, about violence. And since I’m a lover, and not a fighter….let’s use these recent incidents to talk about love.
I’ve noticed that most of the people that commit these crimes are individuals that don’t feel loved. They are the “outcasts” of society, the “loners”, the ones that don’t fit in. And here’s what I’ve learned about love,
Love is less about how you feel about another person. It is more about how a person makes you feel ABOUT YOURSELF.
Think about it. You could be with the greatest person in the world. But if they treated you like dirt, you probably wouldn’t feel loved. And I believe the opposite is true. You could be with some that the world considers a loser, but that person can treat you right and make you feel like the most loved person on earth!
Spread a little love today. Make somebody you love feel special!
December 13, 2007 at 2:24 am
Your absolutely right. People got to get it together. Does anyone remember Curtis Mayfield? There is so much culture jamming going on that is subverting positive decent messages getting to the people. Blogs like this are the vanguard to overpowering these forces.
Keep up the good work!
December 13, 2007 at 2:35 am
As a high school teacher, even the most challenging kid is looking for someone to care. In fact, we know they need support and love. I have a tailor-made conversation when interacting with the “tough ones” –
It goes.. “How are you today?
Student replies, “I’m alright”
I say, “Do I need to hug, handshake or put you in a headlock?”
We laugh and smile together.
They know me well enough to know I care and that at any moments notice I WILL do as I have declared. (I already have their attention since they know my reputation as both teacher and soldier – smiles).
By the way, most of these students are probably ones that don’t sit in my academic courses. They are usually students that are giving one or my colleagues some trouble or being loud and disrespectful in the hallways. I introduce myself and then we start a friendship – I tell them that I will always look out for them. If they aren’t acting right, they don’t get a pat on the back they will get something less than attractive. It works. Hugs, Handshake or headlock – those students know when I see them they are gonna get one or the other.
December 13, 2007 at 5:34 am
Yoshi…you make a lot of money in South Brunswick. Please don’t lose it by threatening the kids…LOL. It is true, I tell my fifth graders that if I didnt care about them, I wouldnt stop my class and teach life lessons. Those moments are the things that might make their day and save their lives It may also make the day of someone whom they may cross paths with as well!
December 13, 2007 at 11:15 pm
Hmmmm. Spread a little love today. It’s so simple to do. We could never imagine what a smile can do to change somebody’s day. We are often too caught up in the drama or monotony of our days that we miss the hurting person,the unhappy child, or the person in despair. While we don’t have to play superman and try to save the whole world, we can spread a little love, a little hope and smile at someone, say hello or have a good day to somebody. The impact can trigger that person to smile or say hello to someone else.
Where children and young adults are concerned, sometimes they just need someone to pay attention and listen to them. Some parents feel that love is showed by working to provide for them. And I’m not knocking that, however in the confusion of their minds, and the pressures that young people experience combined with the physical changes in the brain as related to puberty, etc, it is imperative that we hear them and all the “stuff” that they have to say. And after they have unleashed, we can then help them, re-direct them, and teach them how to think through their situations, and problems. Active communication is key. Rules and parameters are important but listening, really listening might help us see where some of these kids are heading and maybe, just maybe, we can intercept/intercede and get them back on the right road.
Show a little love today. Share a kind word. Listen.
December 14, 2007 at 2:17 am
An update…Some random little 12th graders is loud and obnoxious in the hallway. I reprimand her. Introduce myself. Tell her we are now cool…her girlfriends say to me “That’s so nice of you to stop and introduce yourself”. I told her I expect her to “holla at me” when she sees me from now on but to conduct herself like a lady otherwise. The bond I made with her will definitely carry her through the remainder of her senior year.
December 14, 2007 at 2:21 am
I’ve had similar experiences with some of these so-called gang members. All they are looking for is some love and a sense of belonging. I wish these fools would stop having babies if they dont plan on being parents!