Sunday, July 17, 2016

"If we lose love and self respect for each other, this is how we finally die." Maya Angelou




The United States is in big trouble. 

The Catalyst: Many people have lost respect for themselves and for others, and no longer practice The Golden Rule.

The Results: Low self-esteem, anger, shootings, killings, devaluation of life, and mayhem. 

The Reason: The Golden Rule is no longer being practiced or taught at home, the place where children learn the basic tenets of how to behave in a civilized society. 

The Solution: Teach The Golden Rule, teachers and parents model The Golden Rule; teach respect for others, and adults model respect for others.  Show kindness and empathy to others, encourage kindness and empathy from others.  

The Suggested Implementation:  This will be a big group effort, but our country is worth it! It will start with one individual at a time, showing kindness and respect for another. Marketing firms must create wonderful feel-good messages to be run on all media. Television and radio stations, as well as Internet search engines, will have volunteer to run public service announcements-lots of public service announcements, so that kindness and respect and The Golden Rule become as real and recognizable as popular commercials. Every newscast, local and national, should end with a feel-good story about Americans helping Americans. Every person must begin to practice The Golden Rule, and talk about it with friends and strangers.  Children must be taught to respect others, and corrected when they are disrespectful to others, including parents, teachers, and peers.

Great ideas, right?  They are - on paper.  Somehow, I don't see our society actually doing any of these things, even if I would like all of them to happen.  So what is the solution?  I don't know for sure, but I do know that even as one person, YOU can make a difference. Every person can make a decision to show more kindness, and; to model respect and caring for others.  It is the only chance we have to change our society. We must show respect to each other and to parents, elders, authority figures, and peers. 

My heart is so heavy this evening.  More police officers were gunned down today in Baton Rouge, following the horrific massacre of police in Dallas last week.  I believe that ALL lives matter, but that color does not, as I believe in showing the same respect and kindness to everyone. 

Be someone who steps up to lead the way to care about others and practice The Golden Rule.  America needs your involvement to become better.Teachers- teach and model The Golden Rule, and teach empathy.  Here is a thought: if shooters had empathy and respect for their victims and their families, they would never be able to pull the trigger. (I know some are mentally ill.)

It is another sad day in America.  I hope you can be the person who helps to make someone's day better. 

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. 

Rittman Publishing, LLC ®

Visit Dede's webpage for complete details on her award-winning book, STUDENT TEACHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM A MASTER TEACHER.  Many colleges have made the book required reading. 
Signed copies are available  www.dederittman.com Dede is also a national speaker on The Three C's for Classroom success: Confidence, communication, and Creativity; Avoiding Teacher burnout; and many other inspirational topics. 

I LOVE writing. And I love writing children's books- my newest passion. Although it will be a ton of work, I am looking forward to selling my books.  Since I was a secondary teacher, I know that I have much to learn about elementary students, and I will have to follow my own advice and be my genuine self.  However, I also know that I am passionate about helping kids who have to wear glasses, and that GRADY GETS GLASSES sends a positive message. I am willing to work hard and do all the things that also made me a successful teacher for 37 years. I remain inspired! 

Elementary teachers in Western Pennsylvania and beyond - I am willing to come into your classroom in person or as a virtual field trip through a group called Field Trip Zoom.  Check them out!  http://www.fieldtripzoom.com/ 

Teacher friends- let me know if you want me to read GRADY GETS GLASSES at your school. I am willing to come in to discuss the creative writing process, why writing is important, and personal fulfillment through writing, along with reading my book.  I would appreciate the exposure, and I would make signed copies available for purchase in your classrooms following the reading.  Please email me at dederittman@gmail.com .  The website www.gradygetsglasses.com IS UP AND RUNNING!!!.  Signed copies ARE available!   Grady plush toys are ordered! 

Please like Dede's new page Grady Gets Glasses for updates about her children's book. https://www.facebook.com/gradygetsglasses?ref=hl 

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