Togetherness | Silver Lining

Change the world…

August 18, 2016 by silverlining Leave a comment

“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”

It’s easy for people to take their education for granted, especially American children who are granted free education. Books, essays, tests… What could be even a little appealing about learning? Though the school year may be busier than summer vacation, it only hurts us to look at school as a prison or punishment. Rather, as Malala believes, education is power.

“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world,” she says. And it makes sense. Education gives people the power to make their own well-informed decisions, and it allows us greater freedom and confidence in knowing how things work. Education further prepares us to go into the adult world with an open mind. Imagine, you are exposed to all the knowledge in the world, and all you need to soak it in is your books and your brain.

There is a lot to envy about summer, but turn your school year into something meaningful.

A Carpenter’s Gift: An Inspirational Story about Perseverance

August 10, 2016 by silverlining 1 Comment

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Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.

Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John’s door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter’s toolbox. “I’m looking for a few days work” he said.

“Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?”

“Yes,” said the older brother. “I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That’s my neighbor, in fact, it’s my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I’ll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence – an 8-foot fence – so I won’t need to see his place anymore. Cool him down, anyhow.”

The carpenter said, “I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I’ll be able to do a job that pleases you.”

The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day.

The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing.

About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer’s eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.

There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge… a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work handrails and all – and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.

“You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I’ve said and done.”

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other’s hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. “No, wait! Stay a few days. I’ve a lot of other projects for you,” said the older brother.

“I’d love to stay on,” the carpenter said, “but, I have many more bridges to build.”
Source: http://www.askalana.com/stories/carpenter.shtml

Family Is Like A Circle

July 29, 2016 by silverlining Leave a comment

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A Family is Like a Circle // By Nicole M. O’Neil

A family is like a circle

the connection never ends

and even if at times it breaks

in time it always mends…

Tips to a Happier Household

July 27, 2016 by silverlining 1 Comment

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Eat dinner with the family.
Increase communication (yes, the parents can learn to text!)
Share what you learned that day with your family.
Put down your phones and just listen.
Ask them how their day is going.

FamILY

July 26, 2016 by silverlining 1 Comment

“Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” – Lilo and Stitch

Let’s be real. The first time I watched Lilo & Stitch as a child, all I could think about was how weird all of the aliens looked (especially the Grand Councilwoman!) and how awesome the ‘Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride’ scene was. Upon rewatching the film, though, it became clear that the movie tells a story about family. We see the sisterly bond between Lilo and her sister as they navigate life without their parents, and we also see the familial bond Lilo shares with Stitch and the other aliens who aren’t necessarily related by blood.

Growing up in a bigger family amidst the fast pace of the Bay Area, I completely understand how we can get caught up in taking our family for granted. We find them unbearable and annoying in our times of stress, not realizing that they are actually the ones we need most. But we all grow up really quickly, and you might see your family start moving further apart. Not necessarily a strained distance, just a natural separation that comes with growing older.
DON’T FRET. Your family is always there for you (yes, your annoying siblings are stuck with you by blood!) If family truly means “nobody gets left behind or forgotten”, you know you will always have someone to lean on. Even with all the trouble going on in the world, it has always stuck with me how much love humans are capable of having. Your family is your support system, and it feels good to know that they will never leave you. Today, tell your family how much you love them.

Winnie the Pooh Poem

May 20, 2016 by silverlining 2 Comments

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Winnie the Pooh’s Poem (A. A. Wilne)

If there ever comes a day

When we can’t be together,

Keep me in your heart,

I’ll stay there forever.

Challenge: Share something personal with a friend!

May 9, 2016 by silverlining Leave a comment

Challenge: Share something personal with a friend, something you wouldn’t tell anyone else. They are there for you!

Changing the world Starts with YOU!

May 8, 2016 by silverlining 2 Comments

Isn’t it weird that as create technology to bring us closer we are actually more disconnected from the people close to us? Or as we are able to meet more kinds of people… the more we judge them? I am not saying this is true for everyone but I am not gonna lie that I have done so sometimes.

Sometimes people struggle to start a conversation just with another human but that is the most important part. Communication is very important especially face to face. Making connections and being human is what is important. We all should try not to be so influenced by technology… we should use it to our advantage not let it consume us.

This is an amazing thought provoking video talking about this “paradox of our generation” that comes with the use of technology. Jay Shetty explains his point of view very well. Even if you agree with it or not, I hope you can watch this video 🙂

Hope you have an amazing week ahead!

Being kind matters…

April 10, 2016 by silverlining 4 Comments

This is a touching story about the importance of friendship. It shows the results of being kind someone :)… It does make a difference!

“One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, “Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, ‘Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.’

He looked at me and said, ‘Hey thanks!’ There was a big smile on his face.

It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends. He said yes. We hung all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. And my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.

I stopped him and said, ‘Damn boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!’ He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship.

Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn’t me having to get up there and speak. Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him! Boy, sometimes I was jealous.

Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, ‘Hey, big guy, you’ll be great!’ He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. ‘Thanks,’ he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began.

‘Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach…but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.

I am going to tell you a story.’ I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met.

He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn’t have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. ‘Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.’ I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it’s depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person’s life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each other’s lives to impact one another in some way.”

#LoveWhatMatters

Photo courtesy of Eric Pearce
Eric Pearce Photography
www.ericpearcephotography.com.

Originally written by John W. Schlatter

Challenge Recap: Talking to Others

February 27, 2016 by silverlining Leave a comment

How was it? How was your experience in speaking to several people at once?

Speaking has never been easy for me, so I wanted to share my own past experiences in speaking. It always feels hard for me to get the words out without stuttering and getting nervous, and I usually have to fight the butterflies in my stomach down when I’m speaking and everyone’s looking at me. When I’m speaking it feels awful, and I want nothing more than for that moment to be over. However, I find that it’s always worth it when I see people smiling at me and nodding in agreement.