For today's Tech Tidbit Tuesday, I'm going to ask you to do something I usually do on Sundays--stop, find a peaceful place, where you can be at peace with yourself, and all that is going on around you, and un-plug. The image of the Eiffel Tower is from my first Spiritual Sunday post, Peace.... I don't have the answer for World Peace. There isn't an easy answer. But when I plug in, and peruse the various social media, I am inundated with acts of violence around the world. A little over a month ago, 49 people were killed in a club in Orlando. Orlando, my home town of 21 years. The amount of love shown to the victims and their families, the solidarity of the whole Orlando community was amazing. But it took a horrific incident to bring this to fruition. |
Just last week, a colleague and friend of mine posted quite eloquently on Facebook: "Every tragedy and news story in the country of late turns into a battleground. Everyone runs to his/her corner, takes a side, and then peppers social media with articles and opinions...that support his/her side in the issue. The other side is the enemy....perhaps the answer is somewhere in the middle, but we can't get there if all we do is demonize whomever is on the other side." (Thank you Mark.)
This is not meant to lead to an argument about anything. I stray from heated 'discussions' on social media. I use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and blogs, to learn, explore and smile. I feel quite strongly about the amount of love, compassion, empathy and kindness that each member of the human race is capable of showing one another. "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."
I pledge to work even harder this year to provide a classroom, where kindness, compassion and understanding are modeled and expected. As Jackie DeShannon sang in her song, Put a Little Love in Your Heart, "Think of your fellow man, lend him a helping hand, put a little love in your heart."
While you're unplugged, think about what you can do to help bring World Peace, one step closer.
No other photos today, except this one of a very peaceful face (in my opinion)--the Girl with a...
Pearl
Let's all increase our perception, and decrease our preconceived notions. Be proactive rather than reactive. Be aware of others' personal baggage. Kindness, compassion, empathy. Let's strive for peace.
What words, that begin with the letter P, do you think I should include for teachers?
Let me know in a comment below.