Dancing with My Sister...A Gift

As I grow older and wiser, I come to recognize the treasures in my life. They are NOT things, but people and those with whom I dance. These relationships are so present in my heart. One of these special people is my sister Lisa. We are 9 years apart, so growing up, we were somewhat like strangers in each other's lives. When I left for college at 17, she was 8. What did we have in common except the same parents and other family...and growing up at the NJ seashore.
As the years have gone by, I have come to see so many similarities. In some ways, I chuckle and think we could be fraternal twins born 9 years apart!
Can you believe, Mom could not tell who it was on the phone. We sound alike. We also got our love of life, our people skills and a spontaneity and zest for living as a gift from our Dad. Wish he were here to see us and our kids growing so much older and wiser in the past 25 years. We still miss him and his ways.
Why do I write about Lisa today? She shared a story with me last night that is so "DARE to AFFIRMish". She recently spent time with a few other families and one of the moms was not the most nurturing and affirming person with her young teen. Lisa saw this happening, empathized and decided to be positive with the daughter. At one point, the mom said to Lisa, "I know what you are doing!! I am not always positive and you have been that way for my daughter." To me, that was a powerful step that Lisa's behavior was recognized and even valued. Isn't role modeling one of the best ways to subtly guide other people's behaviors - and if we are lucky, even make changes!?!?
It is important to me to affirm my sister and appreciate how much she "gets" DARE to AFFIRM and the values and lessons that are so important to me.
She truly knows how to "catch them doing something right." Thanks Lisa Hope for the gifts you give to me.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. in Many Languages

Saturday at 6:15, I left Pitman to head to a Week of the Young Child Conference in Delaware where we were scheduled to present a training workshop that we called R.E.S.P.E.C.T. It was designed to give pause, think what the word was all about and how to truly practice it for the good of ALL! I was less than 10 minutes from home when I was greeted by a sight that made me stop and pause, filled with gratitude and respect for the beauty of nature and the gift I had been given! I am not usually out and about to see the sunrise, let alone one as spectacular as this. I just knew that the day would be filled with treasures and our hearts were about to be filled with so many new friends. And that it was. Read on.
There are so many "keys" that unlock the treasure chest of RESPECT. One of the fun parts of our training workshops is to create materials that are visual representations of what we are doing - and then engage people in movement and hands on activities as they internalized the concepts.
We started out with quotes about respect, encouraging each of the groups to develop a definition to share what this word meant for self, others and non-people/the environment. The responses were thoughtful. We want to share a few ideas:
1. To be humble, love yourself, and have high self-esteem. As you give it to others, you will receive it back ten fold.
2. Affirming and treating others as you want to be treated.
3. Being honest with yourself and loyal to others.
4. Help all and hinder none!
Then we had so much fun with the "Keys of Respect" exploring together ( and getting a bit rowdy at times) to see which ones opened the treasure chest of respect. We have a list of 30 we created and would be happy to send them to anyone who sends us an email request: catchthemright@aol.com
We ended the session creating a Bill of Respect that the participants created together - what they would take with them as guidelines and reminders for building respectful relationshps.
PREAMBLE: We, the Nation of Nurturers, in order to form a more perfect society, establish respect, ensure harmony & tranquility, provide for common understanding, promote affirmation of self & others, and secure self-worth for all, do create this Bill of Respect.
1. Be an individual and allow it in others.
2. Listen well to yourself and others.
3. Provide equity, fairness & consistent rules for all.
4. Be trusting and trustworthy/loyal.
5. Be still and notice: Watch, Ask and Adapt.
6. Be kind and caring.
7. Respect boundaries.
8. Be truthful.
9. Respect yourself, your community and the environment.
10. Accept responsibility.
This list is in no way final - only what two groups of people on a beautiful Saturday in April created for themselves and others.
They noted that Respect is really the Golden Rule.
We take it one step further: Do unto others what you want others to do unto others.
CATCH THEM DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.

Connections: Delaware AEYC & Beth Inter

Organization, Responsiveness and Efficiency are the first words to come to mind when one thinks of Beth Inter. Beyond that there is warmth, smiles and caring!! You only have to know and work with Beth for a short time to see all of these characteristics and you count your blessings that she is on your team!! It is easy to "catch her doing something right!!"
Beth is part of the leadership team at the University of Delaware's Early Learning Center and an active member of the Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children (DAEYC)
Why is she so special? Well, you have already read some of the descriptors for Beth, but we want to recognize one of the special projects she has rebirthed for DAEYC. In yesterday's mail, we received the Spring 2008 issue of "Small Wonders", DAEYC's newsletter. Why is this special for early childhood professionals in Delaware? It is a forum for members to contribute their ideas and happenings and a way to become involved in the early care and education life in Delaware. This had been missing in people's mailboxes for awhile and thanks to Beth, it is again coming on a regular basis. It is her energy and commitment that has made this happen, but even more her ability to network with other professionals to make the production a group effort.
Join with Martie, Allison (DARE to AFFIRM) and so many other Delaware early care and education professionals to celebrate the Week of the Young Child on April 19's conference at Delaware Technical & Community College's Terry Campus in Dover.
WE will be dancing to Aretha as we celebrate RESPECT for ourselves and one another.