First day of school and obedience

Today was my first day of school. I stood for a while last night trying to decide on my first day of school outfit, just like I did when I was young. I had butterflies as I drove in the parking lot. I was about to meet a whole new crew of Kindergarteners. First impressions make a huge mark on my year. Teachers told me the Kindergarteners were a bit rambunctious and could use a little coaching.

I shared the story “My Mouth Is A Volcano”(written by Julia Cook, www.juliacookonline.com/book/my-mouth-is-a-volcano/ ) with the kids and made an apple volcano ( www.teaching2and3yearolds.com/volcano-science-for-kids/ ). Our point is Big Heroes Obey.  I think the students caught on to the point. Time will prove me right. I was targeting the behavior of interrupting. Hopefully, the teachers won't have any new stress wrinkles next month when I visit next.

As I was exiting the school, I ran into the principal. We smiled at each other. He said to me, “Remember when you started this thing all those years ago and wondered if it would take off?”  I smiled, nodded and connected to that moment from the past. 

I’m right there again. Wondering if this thing will take off. I am preparing to head out to new school districts and express what LBLife offers to them.  I wonder if anyone will let us partner with them. I wonder if I will see any glimmer of hope. I’ve reached out to my teacher connections in other school districts, but haven’t really heard anything from them.  I get it. Their school year is pretty full already and there are many details to tend to and LBLife isn’t their responsibility. I’ve been there.

And out of the blue, an email. A blast from the past. Someone who volunteered with students when I was young. He looked out for me when I was teetering between success and rebellion. He asked some questions of what LBLife was all about. So, I let him have it. Sharing about investing in the kids of our community gets me excited! I love to share what character coaching is all about.

I got a reply, not of a school invite, but encouragement and support.

I may wonder if LBLife will take off. I may find moments I question myself. Then, I remember why I offer myself in the area of character coaching.  I feel the peace beyond my understanding. I see the moment and the future at the same time. I relax in the truth that this passion wasn’t created by me. This is part of my life calling. 

I will do my best. I will hustle. I will work the process. I will not be discouraged by setbacks. I will keep my eyes on the reason for what I do. 

I believe I got through to a few of the hundred kindergartners I met today. I believe one of those itty bitties will grab on to the idea that they can change the world through obedience. At least one of those kids is absolutely going to change the world. 

Dale Hudson said, “Avoiding “if only” will happen “only if” you take action now.”

Simon Sinek said, “Success is waking up every day with the feeling that the work you are doing will outlast you. Ad so, it’s built not on what you achieve, but what you help those around achieve.”

Amen..

Attitude is Everything!

Attitude is defined as a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior.

We have good attitudes, bad attitudes, lazy attitudes, snobby attitudes, scared attitudes, mad attitudes, helpful attitudes... I could go on and on.

Attitudes defines so much about us. We don't even have to speak for others to see our attitude. Positive or negative, we impact the atmosphere and the people around us with our attitudes.

It's so hard for me to see the vehicle window stickers that say, "Stuck in Ohio". I love my state and community.  I look for the good things around me. We have great fine arts programs. We have a wonderful state college. We have great sports programs. We have a growing technology field. We have low cost of housing. We have a diverse culture all around us.  We have an incredible park system in our back yard. I love Youngstown!

It is so easy to gravitate to a bad attitude, though. We have crime. We have unemployment. We used to be a booming steel town. We used to have a fun amusement park. We used to have many stores in downtown. We have had criminals in government offices.  Ugh!

But attitude is a choice. I must decide to have a positive outlook on my life. I want to empower kids our schools to have a great attitude, even in troubled times.  I want to engage the thoughts of our youth to find a good attitude in problem solving. LBLIfe is about creating a great attitude in the youth of the Mahoning Valley.

In order to acquire a positive attitude, we must relearn how to react to different situations. We can learn how to be positive if we learn to focus on the good in life rather than the bad. In every bad situation, something good can usually be found if we look hard enough. However, some people choose only to see the bad.  Let's help build a better model for our youth to grow up in a positive atmosphere where great attitudes build us up to be the best we can be!

LoriV 

It's been 10 years!

10 years. It's been 10 years of investing in the youth of this community. I don't know if I dreamed this movement would continue like this. I'm so glad it has.

In 2006, I was asked to make a change in my roll at my job. I led a team of people who invested in the children's programs in my church. I loved my job. I don't know that I would call it a job. It was my heartbeat. I love seeing kids discover who they are created to be! I wanted to build an army of world changers.  But, I was asked to change my roll.

I was asked to be an intentional connector from the church to our community. I love my community. Many people feel like they are stuck, but I love living here!

I wasn't sure what my new role would look like, but I attempted to find my way.  Little did I know that I was on my way to another path on my journey.

Through a convergence of many pieces of life, I found myself connecting with a local principal and guidance counselor about how we could partner with them and assist building up their kids in their character.  I was given permission to enter all of their classrooms monthly to invest in their kids.

I.Fell.In.Love.

I love spending time with the students, seeing them get interested or excited about growing in their character. I love hearing the students share their stories of how the value of the month was lived out in their lives. I love engaging with the teachers about how I can encourage the students to grow in new areas of character.

For 10 years, I have been blessed with the chance to build relationships with students and teachers in the Mahoning Valley. I have been challenged and grown myself in the values lessons I share.

I am not the same person I was 10 years ago. 

We began under the program of Character Connex, then had the support of www.LoveThisPlace.us and recently found ourselves in need of a new covering. This is where LBLife began. We want you to Live Big, Love Boldly, Lead Broader.  I'm still "LoriV". We still promote character/values education.

I am getting ready to schedule character coaching sessions at the local schools in the next weeks.  If you live in the Mahoning Valley (Mahoning, Columbiana or Trumbull counties in Ohio), you can find out more about us at www.LBLife.net and I would love to connect with your school or organization.