When I speak to children in schools, I never use the words “bully” or “bullying”. Instead, I talk about how encouraging others affects everyone in a positive way. Encouragement could come in the form of a smile, an invitation to join in an activity, or a kind word. Not only does encouragement build up the person receiving it but it also builds the character of the giver.
Read MoreInspiring Stories Every Night
If you’re like me, the evening news is depressing. But on “NBC Nightly News” every night, they end their newscast with a segment called “Inspiring America”. They feature stories of people helping people, people overcoming tremendous challenges, and people starting campaigns/programs to encourage others to better themselves. It is so uplifting to hear these stories.
Read MoreA Tribute to My Parents, My Biggest Encouragers
On November 10th, 1929, Addison Schultz and Millicent McLaughlin, my parents, were married in Kingston, New York. Although they have passed away, they are still in my thoughts each and every day. Total, unconditional acceptance My parents fully accepted me from the moment I was born. They saw my severe deformities, looked past them and raised me as a normal child – allowing me to experience life, find my limitations…
Read MoreBreakthrough: The Letter That Opened My Eyes
In day to day life, it is normal to label ourselves by what we perceive. You develop a sense of your limitations and your potential. But what happens when a close friend associates you with a characteristic or label you’ve never considered? I received the letter below from a friend of mine and I found myself challenging my own perceptions and thinking about how others view me. A letter from…
Read MoreA Broadway Performance to Inspire Us All
I recently saw a television news story about Ali Stroker, a young singer and actress, performing in a new New York musical, “Spring Awakening”. The story showed Ali singing in a chorus and dancing with the ensemble. What makes Ali’s story so remarkable is that she performed sitting in a wheelchair. She lost the use of her legs when she was 2 in a car accident. But she was attracted to…
Read MoreSauk Prairie Optimist Club Presentation
I was honored to present my life story to the Sauk Prairie Optimist Club. I was encouraged by their response and the questions they asked. Most of their questions centered around the subject of encouragement, which lends itself well to the Optimist Club Creed. I can see why they call it a group of positive-thinking people.
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