10/31/2024
I just love this post from my friend Steve so much that I wanted to share it.
Thanks for reading it.
Robin
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I love this quote, though I don’t know who sourced it…
”Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively with words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hurt, to hinder, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble”.
I’ve been a part of the music business here in Nashville for over 30 years. Few know, however, that my professional background is in Education. A lifetime ago, I earned a California State Teaching Credential with a Specialization in Early Childhood Education (K-3). I taught or ran Head Start centers for close to a decade. I say this to let you know that the example we set for children is extremely important to me. In fact, I based my entire classroom curriculum on the question, “what type of adults do we want as neighbors?"
Obviously, there’s great political and civil divide in this country. When on opposing sides, it can be difficult to find common ground from which to begin a constructive conversation. I believe finding something we can agree on is the sensible place to start. I think we can mutually agree that regardless of race, gender, socio-economic status, or party affiliation, we all love our children and want what’s best for them.
The President of the United States has the biggest megaphone in the world. He or she will be a most visible and powerful example for how our children learn to behave in all kinds of situations. For the sake of our children and our children’s children, I ask myself…which candidate best serves as a healthy role model for teaching our kids how to treat themselves and others? The President’s behavior will inform our children on what’s appropriate, how to resolve conflicts, and how to speak to and act towards those with differing opinions, beliefs, and cultural practices.
Although I do have strong opinions and preferences regarding policy, I needed to look no further than the examples shown by our candidates when determining my vote. In the eyes, ears, and hearts of our children, tone matters. Treating others as you would like to be treated, with dignity, compassion, and respect...matters. The Golden Rule... matters.
Our children are watching. Let’s be the people we’d like our children to become.
Steve
