Increasing the amount of #kindness in the world is one way each of us can do our part to #StompOutBullying. Happy #DoSomethingNiceDay! #BeKind #BullyingPreventionMonth @STOMPOutBullyng pic.twitter.com/djuRlsMZ8T
— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) October 5, 2019
plants make people happy
Today I feel a little bit overwhelmed. But I saw this post from illustrator and self-described plant addict @kristinakemenikova on @namicommunicate’s feed, which sent me searching for the source, and now I’m enjoying all her posts! (Click illustration to enlarge.)
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I have some repotting and other plant care I’ve been putting off. Tending to some of that today will help me feel better, I am sure!
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#plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantparenthood #plantsarefriends #griefsupport #suicideprevention #mentalhealth
Born This Way Foundation fights bullying
#BeThe1To take action to prevent suicide
october is bullying prevention month
Mario Magnet Monday!
A post by my Instagram friend @8bitfellow reminded me of the magnets Rader made for playing games on the fridge. I’ve included the photos from his post. They’re the final four. Click to advance.
#BeThe1To follow up
start this important conversation
family weekend
save a friend: tips for teens
Last Wednesday, I posted an article about a Model School Policy for suicide prevention. One of the organizations contributing to the policy was the National Association of School Psychologists. This wonderful graphic is on their website. It’s intended for teens, but applies well to college students/young adults as well. You can download and print it (and find some other great resources) here.
under reconstruction
I had the great fortune to hear one of America’s most beloved grief counselors, author Alan Wolfelt, last night and this morning. He was keynote speaker at the Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes annual grief seminar, which I’ve been thankful to attend three times since Rader died. It’s an event that offers a level of support you’re hard pressed to find anywhere else in our grief-averse society.
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I bought a couple of his books, and I will post reviews on the website. Also I asked him for one of the pins he gives to grievers who come to him for counseling at his Center For Loss and Life Transition: it says “Under Reconstruction.” I certainly feel the truth of that!
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I’m pleased to have been there with a thoughtful friend this year, Kathy Barrett of Lodestone Intuitive Arts. I am so glad she reached out to me and asked me to attend with her.
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I brought home some extensive handouts and also took notes! It will take me a while to process everything I heard. Thank you, Thomas McAfee, for presenting an event of such value to our community.
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#yeahTHATgreenville #alanwolfelt #griefsupport #griefbooks #suicidelosssurvivor #underreconstruction #grief #bereavement #mourning #findingmyway
#BeThe1To help them connect
Mario Monday: edible art!
This is a Super Mario Maker I can get behind. Watch Youtube star Dancakes make a delicious Nintendo Super Mario pancake. About SYFY WIRE: SYFY WIRE is dedicated to all things science fiction, fantasy, horror and general nerd culture. We cover movies, TV, comics, books, video games, space, technology and anything geeky.
join me in taking the upstander pledge
Here’s the text of this powerful pledge.
I pledge to be an Upstander:
I will stand up to bullying whether I’m at school, at home, at work, in my house of worship; whether I am speaking in the digital cyber world or out in the real world with friends, family, colleagues or teammates.
I will work to make others feel safe and included by treating them with kindness, respect and compassion.
I will not use insulting or demeaning language, slurs, gestures, facial expressions, or jokes about anyone’s sexuality, size, gender, race, any kind of disability, religion, class, politics, or other differences, in person or while using technology.
If I realized I have hurt someone I will apologize.
I will remain vigilant and not be a passive audience or “bystander” to abusive actions or words.
If I see or hear behavior that perpetuates prejudice:
I will speak up! I will let others know that bullying, cruelty, and prejudice are abusive and not acceptable.
If I do not feel safe or if my intervention does not change the poor behaviors, I will tell a trusted adult or person of authority.
I will reach out to someone I know who has been the target of abusive actions or words and let this person know that this is not okay with me and ask how I can help.
If I learn in person or online that someone is feeling seriously depressed or potentially suicidal:
I will reach out and tell this person, “Your life has value and is important, no matter how you feel at the moment, and no matter what others say or think.”
I will strongly encourage this person to get professional help.
how would you love me?
in memory of Tyler Clementi
remembering and forgetting
A new essay is up in the blog section! Well, it’s actually not new, but is newly published, and makes me want to write something new soon. So that’s good!