Who I Am Makes a Difference: YouTube Video

We so seldom hear many nice things about our teachers, who really do need to be praised and acknowledged more for their hard work in teaching our children. Well, there is one teacher in New York who has really made a difference to her class. And not only to her students, but her year end project has resonated throughout an entire community, and now world wide through the internet.

It all started off with one teacher with an idea. She wanted each of her students to believe in themselves (the power of positive thinking) and to know that each and every one of them made a difference to her, to the classroom and to the world. As they were about to embark on the rest of their life's journey after graduation, she one by one, in front of the class, told them how special they were. She then gave each student one blue ribbon for the difference they made.

However, it didn't end at that. She now gave them each 3 more blue ribbons and instructed them to do as she had done, giving someone who made a difference in their lives, a blue ribbon, and yet another for that person, in turn, to give to a special person. It was the teacher's intention to see just how these blue ribbons could spread around (as our words and actions do). How they can make a difference in everything we do and say, spreading gratitude around a person at a time.

This video clip shows how just one student, without even knowing his involvement, through his own blue ribbons, helped to save a young man's life. He gave his blue ribbons to a mentor, who in turn gave the remaining two ribbons to his boss. Even though his boss was a tough man to work for, this employee saw him for the genius he was. The boss was so touched by his gesture. The boss, then in turn, went home to give this last remaining ribbon to his son. He realized how he wasn't always there for him nor being the father he had hoped to be. He was always too busy working, but in his heart, his son was the most important person to him.

As it happens, the son hadn't been happy for a very long time. He felt neglected and rejected by his father. He felt very much unloved. He was about to take his own life. When his father gave him the blue ribbon, and explained why his son was "his" choice of recipient, the son realized just how much his father really did love and care for him. He decided against his plan to commit suicide. He now realized that he was in fact loved. If not for this blue ribbon project, this may not have happened.

It was almost like an entire world apart, from one teacher in one classroom of one school, to a family that was about to experience a terrible tragedy. Those four little blue ribbons from the one student, changed many lives. One can only imagine what a classroom full of blue ribbons had accomplished.

None of us can fathom how we might touch another's life. Sometimes by what we say or do, how we act towards others. We can choose to touch others in a positive way. Sadly, it can also be in a negative way, if we do not show kindness towards others. Our actions resonate so much more profoundly than we could ever possibly imagine, like the ripples on the water. We ALL do make a difference. It's just up to us how we want to make that difference..... in a negative way..... or a positive one!

I highly recommend this video. I'm sure it will touch others as it has touched me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN_LPTNQEqM