Christian – Clif Mims

Fostering a Child’s Inner Voice

I love this quote. Parents and teachers need to be cognizant of the impact their words can have on children. Peggy O’Mara takes this a bit further and reminds us that the WAY we speak our words to children also impacts them. Their self-talk is influenced by the way the adults in their lives speak to them.

I’ll try to keep that in mind the next time the TV remote is missing.

This poster is the first work that I’ve created using Canva. I’ve been tinkering with Canva for about two weeks and I’m surprised by how much I like it. It’s useful and pretty easy (there are a few user-interface improvements that I hope happen soon, but I still like it.). I’ve not cared for previous cloud-based graphic design tools, but Canva may have changed my mind. I’ve even gone ahead and setup my public profile. I look forward to connecting with you there.

He Wanted to Win State for His Dying Father

…But What His Opponent Did After Losing Won the Day for Everyone

Giving Is the Best Communication

Warning: Watching this video may cause you to feel better about life.

Hat Tip: Lorrie Jackson

In Remembrance

I thought we could use the Comments section to share our thoughts, reflections, hopes, etc. on this day of remembrance. You can also review some of the comments that you left when I did this here on the blog in 2007. I’ve also re-posted a message below that I left in the comments section of my September 11, 2007 post. It still articulates my thoughts and feelings about this day of remembrance.

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(Repost from 09/11/2007)

It’s just past Midnight, making it now September 12th. I’d like to thank everyone that has shared on this post. It has been helpful to me to be able to read your comments. I identify with much of what has been said here so far. Although we all lead very different lives and differ in age, profession, political and religious beliefs, have different family responsibilities and live in very different parts of the world it is striking to see that 9/11 impacted all of us in very similar ways. Like a couple of you have mentioned, I also have a tough time trying to articulate my 9/11 experience. I remember it all in great detail and I know exactly how I felt and still feel about it, but for me those memories and feelings don’t easily translate into words. It has really helped me to see many of you articulate your memories and feelings here, because it seems it was a commonly shared experience for all of us, and because of that I realize I don’t have to describe my experiences to you. In an unspoken way we all just seem to “get it.” I find a level of comfort in that.

I don’t mean to cut further discussion of this post by leaving this comment. I encourage others that come here after me to feel free to share with us. I think we’re all likely to keep an eye on this discussion thread.

With great gratitude to all that we lost and to all that are still hurting…

All the very best,
Clif

What If Money Was No Object?

“What would you do with your life if money was no object?”

The late Alan Watts shares advice for finding happiness in both our personal and professional lives.

Seminar on Poverty with Ruby Payne, Ph.D.

Internationally renowned author, speaker and career educator Ruby Payne, Ph.D., will serve as the featured speaker at an upcoming fundraiser for HopeWorks.

From years of life lessons, Dr. Payne, founder of aha! Process, has written more than a dozen books on poverty. Dr. Payne is an expert on the mindset of economic class, the socioeconomic assumptions of class and the framework for effective social change. She has worked to educate communities across the world about the effects of class and poverty on our society. Her book, A Framework for Understanding Poverty, provides practical, real-world support and guidance to improve one’s effectiveness in working with people from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Since 1995 A Framework for Understanding Poverty has guided hundreds of thousands of educators and other professionals through the pitfalls and barriers faced by all classes, especially the poor.

You may know how to use a credit card, checking and savings account, but do you know what to do when you don’t have enough money to pay your bills? As Dr. Payne eloquently illustrates, hidden rules and unspoken cues in social classes are numerous. Oftentimes, members of higher economic classes take the hidden rules of the lower class for granted. To break the cycle of crime and emerge from poverty, one must practice the rules of the middle class.

HopeWorks sees this, and encourages this with its students and provides the tools necessary for those in poverty to achieve success every day. Through our holistic approach to daily classes and meals, educational training and spiritual counseling, HopeWorks strives to give our students the tools they need to break free from the cycle that traps so many in our city. But what will serve our students even more is to help those in higher economic classes understand the hidden rules and challenges of those in poverty so that these individuals can be better served.

An Evening of Hope
Fourth Annual HopeWorks Fundraising Event
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Woodland Hills Event Center

THE CHALLENGE to All Educators 2011

I admire and appreciate everyone that has participated in The Challenge the past 4 years (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010). I look forward to doing more good together this holiday season, too.

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(Repost from 11/08/2009)

I’ve written posts encouraging educators to get students actively involved in service education. I’ve shared the rationale for implementing service activities in the classroom and suggested some resources to help us get started.

Your feedback and encouragement back in 2007 prompted me to take this a step further. Rather than simply encouraging teachers (in general) to do this I’m now challenging you (specifically you) to start a service activity in your classroom. 🙂

The holiday season is upon us, so I think it’s a great time to talk about service and initiate a project with your students.

Here’s THE CHALLENGE.

Kick-off a service activity in your classroom.
Make us aware of your project.

I’ve dedicated a new section of the blog to this activity and added a permanent link titled The Challenge to the main menu. This allows us to to share information, photos, videos, and provide links to personal/ class blogs, wikis, websites, etc. where we can learn about each other’s projects and share resources and ideas. You can post your information by:
- Leaving it in the comments in The Challenge area.
- Emailing me a link to your project blog, wiki, site, etc. that I’ll add to The Challenge area.

Keep working on your project and enjoy all the wonderful things that will surely come from it.
Share. Share. Share.

Let’s use The Challenge area, Twitter, Plurk, Skype, etc. to provide updates by which we (including our students) can all follow each other’s progress.
Please tag all related materials and resources with thechallenge

Let’s make the world a better place. I CHALLENGE YOU!!! 🙂

Resources

Here are some great resources to help you get started.

Event Tag: thechallenge

Did You Hug Your Kids Today?

photo credit: carf

Did You You Change the World Today?

I think it’s important that we ask ourselves this question from time to time. I know it helps me to readjust my priorities and tweak my moral compass. So,…

Did you change the world today?

photo credit: j / f / photos

THE CHALLENGE to All Educators 2010

I admire and appreciate everyone that has participated in The Challenge the past 3 years (2007, 2008, 2009). I look forward to doing more good together this holiday season, too.