i have this theory, that if one person will go out of their way to show compassion, it will start a chain reaction of the same. people will never know how far a little kindness can go.

glory only comes when one pursues their dreams. how many of us know what we really want and go for it? how many of us have enough trust, strength, and faith, to believe that we could do the impossible?

don't let your character change color with your environment. find out who you are and let it stay its true color.

these were the words of rachel joy scott, the first person killed in the columbine high school tragedy in 1999.


i had the opportunity to attend a 'friends of rachel' assembly at standley middle school (kiele's school) yesterday. it was an amazing assembly that shared a message of kindness and compassion...courage and hope.

rachel joy scott. rachel was the kind of person that always looked for the best in others. she treated everyone with kindness. she reached out to those, who were disabled, picked on, new at school or overlooked. rachel did little things, things that weren't a big deal to give out--but things that were huge when received, things that made a big difference in someone's life.

rachel joy scott. rachel died in 1999, when she was only 17. and today, her words live on, in the hearts of millions. her message is shared in thousands of schools and millions of students every single year. her message has now been shared with over 11 million people.

we were left with five challenges (based on rachel's actions and writings) :
1. look for the best in others and you will eliminate prejudice.
2. dare to dream. set goals for you live. keep a journal.
3. choose positive influences.
4. kind words and actions produce huge results.
5. start a chain reaction with your family and friends.

the assembly closed with the speaker having the audience close their eyes. he asked everyone to think about the five people closest to them.

go to those five people and tell them how much they mean to you, how much you love them, how much you care about them. someday, he said, when you're not around, they will remember the conversation. someday, you'll be glad you did it.

++++++

today, we were going to dinner and as we were stopped by the light, there was this car, going in the opposite direction, that wasn't moving. it would start and stop. and start and stop again. it was obvious that the person was driving a clutch and having troubles.

i said, steve, we have to help that person.

no, she'll be fine, he said.

no, i don't think she will. she's already stalled about 10 times. let me go help her. pull over and let me help her.

the light turned green and steve pulled over to the curb. i jumped out and ran to her car.

are you okay, i said. can i help you drive your car around the corner?

oh my gosh. thank you. thank you. i'm shaking and ready to cry. my car is new and i thought i'd be okay. i thought i was going to have to get out of my car and just stand there and cry. i'm shaking so much. thank you.

with the girl in the passenger seat, i drove her car up the street, talking to her about driving a clutch. i asked her if i could drive her somewhere. she said that she was trying to go to vons. i pulled over by steve and asked him to follow us to vons. on the way, i talked her through getting into first gear...over and over again. i told her how i thought it would be best to find an empty parking lot tonight, to practice starting and stopping...starting and stopping. the girl told me that she was meeting a friend at vons, who knew how to drive a stick, so i was felt okay leaving her. as we hugged and said good-bye, she thanked me over and over again--and said that she didn't know what she would have done if i didn't help her.

it was nothing on my part to do this for this person. yet, for her--it was huge! and i can't tell you how good it felt...
how good sharing a little bit of kindness felt.

you can find out more about rachel's challenge here.