"A Thousand Tiny Surrenders" a school lesson by Robert Brault

There's a writer I enjoy reading.
Robert Brault
I have a list of his quotes ready to use for posters and bulletin boards in my classroom!
I revisit Robert's quotes just because...

They're great!

When I read this quote, I knew I needed to used it for school...
It's wonderful for character education.

After mentioning this to Robert Brault,
he offered the quote along with a lesson for the students.

Maria,
If you're making a poster for schoolkids, you might consider making a contest of it. Who can supply the missing words/phrases in the following: "You do not wake up one morning a bad person. It happens by a thousand tiny surrenders of _______ to ________." You could have the kids make up a list:

Examples:

"who you are"/"what others want you to be"
"what you know is right"/"what you know is wrong"
"integrity"/"popularity"
etc.

And... here's how it worked out...
I created the large poster, with the key phrases missing.
The students were asked to think about what might belong there...
When all the papers were in, I knew there would be a lot of "good to bad" responses (I teach middle school)...but there were some thoughtful ones as well. I put a sampling of their responses on the poster.

An opportunity came to talk about this quote again after a student made a bad decision
in my class . . .and then continued this behavior in other classes during the day.
"tiny surrenders"
They got it... they really got it!

Thank you Robert Brault!

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I've been there myself... surrendering a little here and a little there...
but there's beautiful Saving Grace for a wretch like me.

I pray for my students, hoping their tiny surrenders will mostly be to what is
good and right and lovely.

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Thank you, Thank you Robert Brault!
~What a great lesson for all of us~

Pajama Dreams

I love Saturday mornings!
I can stay in my pajamas for as long as I want.
When family is visiting breakfast can last for hours.
This Saturday morning, over our first cup of coffee, my daughter, Rachael, told me all about a dream she had just before waking. Here's her dream:

Everyone in our family was hanging around the living room in our PJ's casually chatting... all of the sudden, I realized it was 3pm and Juan and I needed to be at the Church for our Wedding in 1/2 hour! I was still in my PJ's with dirty hair and no makeup on. I started hyperventilating as I jumped in the shower and realized that I was going to have to do my own hair & makeup! Then I started thinking that I didn't even know who would show up because I couldn't remember sending out any invitations. I got more nervous when I realized that Juan and I didn't have a place to live, and that we'd probably have to live in our current apartments until Juan's lease expired in June! It was a complete moment of panic until I woke up and realized that our Wedding isn't for another 8 months. Phew!!!

I listened intently... then said, "Rachael, when I was young, I used to have "pajama dreams" all the time... still in my pajamas and suddenly realizing I needed to be somewhere.

Then, I burst into laughter realizing that my dreams came true...
Now... I'm still in my pajamas until the very last minute every day... and, on purpose!

Thanks, Rachael!
That was a great way to realize something amusing about myself.

Have a wonderful day and remember to laugh at yourself more often!

Sky Watch Friday -- Finally a Sunrise!

My dog made me do it ;o)
Muffin's 15 yrs old and was up bright and early one morning last week...

God had a little surprise waiting...a little reward for taking care of this ol' girl.
'been wishin' for a sunrise!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
May your skies be calm and peaceful,
or
exciting and dramatic
(without toooo much drama though ;o)

For more excitement in the Sky visit:

a Note from a Bluebird to Share with YOU

Circle of Friends

lyrics by

Point of Grace

{life love & other mysteries}

In a Circle of Friends we share this prayer.......

If you weep

I will weep with you

If you sing for joy

the rest of us will lift our voices too

But no matter what you feel inside there's no need to pretend

That's the way it is in this circle of friends.....

And when we meet in heaven

we will recognize each other

with joy so deep and love so sweet

Oh we'll celebrate these friends

and a life that never ends

In a Circle of Friends we have one Father

In a Circle of friends we share this prayer

That it will not be long

All will enter in

To the shelter of this Circle of Friends

********

You are all such
dear ♥ sweet ♥ people
♥ ♥ ♥
bringing laughter, warmth and loveliness to so many.

Thank you

for being part of this big Circle of Friends.

A big thank you to Koralee at Bluebird Notes
for letting me share her teacup photo and song by Point of Grace.

Koralee has such a lovely blog, if you stop there, you'll instantly wear a smile.

~Precious Grace to All~

My 100th Post!

S U R P R I S E D !

• That Blogland would be this much fun!
  
  
• That I would find so many WONDERFUL PEOPLE here!
  
  
• That my joy would be multiplied meeting
  people of Faith & Inspiration
  people with great imagination and humor
  people who are stewards of Earth who celebrate its beauty.
  
  
• That I would look up at the SKY more often and in doing so, breathe in more joy!
  
  
• That giving THANKS would change me from the inside out!
  
  
• That the lens of my camera would also work to open my own eyes to God's beauty.
  
  ...A Heartfelt Thanks to All of You...
  
  for visiting here and letting me visit you too
  
  ...it has been time well spent...
  
  God's Sweetest Blessings
  of
  ~ Joy & Peace ~
  
  Photo: taken a few years ago, in the entrance hall of my son's prom.
  You can't take me anywhere ;o)
  

That's an Eagle - We've got to turn around!

Last Saturday, on route 23 in central NY, my husband spotted the eagle perched on this dead tree.
It meant only one thing.
Turn around QUICK! It's always worth it!

~as are visits to all the skywatchers~

The Heart of it All

Inspired by Rex Keener's sermon "My Life is My Ministry Part 5"

Colossians 3: 23
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men