"The character of your children tomorrow depends on what you put into their hearts today."
Blog
National Just Because Week
09/20/2011 09:06 AM
Message from Mrs. Martin
The following article was written by our own Voscia Walker, mom of 4K student Lauren Walker. It appeared today in Lake Highlands Today. What a great idea! Let’s start at Scofield Christian School this week and spread cheer to all of Lake Highlands.
“One day I met a friend for lunch and she immediately hugged me due to a post she had seen on my recent Facebook status that read, "I need a hug!"
It was so touching to see someone who actually took my comment to heart that I almost cried.
That small act made me wonder, will we ever get our personal touch back as a society?
We continuously stay consumed with our iPad, iPod and iTouch devices…(hmmm…see that common trend: I, I, I?)
It makes me wonder, each day are we losing sight of what really matters – like family, friendships and personal connections.
We have become so accustomed to our cyber acronyms (you know the LOL’s) that we're forgetting what it feels like to actually smile and laugh with each other.
Here's a thought that we should all share: a sideways smiley face can't replace a real smile and the warmth it brings.
Just when I started to give up hope, I was the beneficiary of another kind act.
I went through the drive thru at Chick-fil-A one morning and once I made it to the window, I was informed that the person ahead of me, someone I didn't even know, had paid for my order.
I was so surprised and honored.
This is something I do from time to time, but it's amazing when the blessing unexpectedly comes back to you.
I'm a former volunteer with a group known as CAAPCO, a coalition of professional and community organizations with a commitment to public service.
Each quarter we held Just Because Receptions for professionals. The premise was that sometimes professionals need a free, after-work escape just because they deserve it.
You may know where I'm going with this.
What if we held a Lake Highlands Just Because Day? (What if we hold an SCS Just Because Day?)
What if we showed other communities the impact we could make on one another in just one day with small, random acts of kindness?
Pay for the person's drink behind you at Starbucks. Offer three strangers hugs at the grocery store to brighten their day.
Hand out flowers to the elderly, and by all means, involve your children in these kind acts!
My daughter is just four, and she understands well the importance of giving back.
Every time we meet a veteran or volunteer bell ringer outside of Walmart, she begs for change to "help somebody else."
Share your "Just Because" acts with us in our comments section or on our Facebook Page.
Let’s start a kindness chain that will not only permeate Lake Highlands but the entire city of Dallas.
Who knows, maybe we will set the precedent for a National Just Because Day.
Will you join us in our experiment on Thursday, September 1st... just because?”
Voscia Walker is a part-time writer and full-time mother who has lived, worked and volunteered in Lake Highlands since 2004.
Italics mine - sjmartin