November Newsletter: Be Kind, Be Gracious...

Featured Article: Be Gracious - Be Kind - Be United - Be Empowered
By Stacy Leighton

There are times in our Nation's history that will define us as a Nation. There are moments in our lives that define us as people. These are those moments. How will we be remembered? It is my hope that regardless of your party affiliation or preferred political outcome, that we as Early Childhood providers are mindful of our words and behaviors, and their powerful influence on our children, their families, and our future. Please take a minute to ponder the words of great thinkers who came before us, and to be moved to be kind, to be gracious, to be united and empowered, to be the change we want to see in the world. May you be blessed now and always.

For those of us who witnessed the mud slinging that seems to surround political races, do not be discouraged. . .
You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Do not underestimate the positive impact our role modeling has on our children, and our future. . .
Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see. ~John W. Whitehead

United in the cause to improve life for our children, there is unlimited strength, let it begin with me. . .
The strength of a nation is derived from the integrity of its homes. ~Confucius quotes

As a Nation and as individuals we have already come through so much. And yet there is so much to yet be done. Have faith that everything will be alright.
Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; 'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. ~John Newton

Even when we agree to disagree, above all else we must remember to be kind.
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. ~13th Dalai Lama

Choose words wisely. Emotions can lead to "loose lips," and what is said cannot be "unsaid."
Children seldom misquote. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said. ~Author Unknown

Conflict? Let it go, anger and grudges are only a burden to he who holds on to them.
Maturity is the stage in life when we may not see eye-to-eye, but we can still walk arm-in-arm. ~Author Unknown

Be a friend, it's more powerful than you think.
Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together. ~Woodrow Wilson

Be hopeful - change is good - we are embarking on a future that holds great promise.
Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man. ~Rabindranath Tagore

Stand with your friends, neighbors and co-workers. Even if you disagree, just be there, quietly hold on, because. . .
In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Reach out, take a hand if you need one, give a hand if you have one. We are all in this together.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone. ~Audrey Hepburn, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, humanitarian

Let's be a part of the solution - together we can do great things!
Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle. ~Abraham Lincoln