Change from fear to hope...

"You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons or the wind, but you can change yourself." ~Jim Rohn

Today I participated in Challenge Day at my school. I have written about this before...it's an amazing experience where students and adults alike get to see themselves are part of a greater community rather than separate from others. I teach at a school that has become a minority majority. I have been told that about 65% of our students are minorities. In this time...since Friday, it is even a more pressing statistic. Many of my students are Muslim, many of my students are immigrants, may of my students are refugees.

Our school has almost three thousand students and is a mix of cultures and ethnicities. The world is a place filled with fear and hate. So many decisions and comments are being made from a place of fear and hate...I have students that are being called "Terrorists" but students who walked next to them, without comment, less than a week ago.

The love and inspiration felt today from Challenge Day needs to continue to move forward. Change comes from within.  Ghandi was but one man and he changed the course of a nation. We must empower ourselves and those around us to stand for the Change we want to see...We do this by changing ourselves. We must open our eyes, give people a second look, notice what it is about them that makes them unique and special, act accordingly.

I am inspired by change. I am at a time in my own life where change is ever present and on the horizon. I am starting with me...it is clear that I cannot change anyone else, but if I work on my self than my example can begin a movement for others. I am seen by others...by students, by coworkers, by friends. I am ready for amazing things to be happening in my life, in my student's lives. I am ready to change our vocabulary around our school, our city, our state. I am ready to be a part of the movement where we change from fear to hope. <3