Rachel’s Challenge

Rachel Scott wrote that one day she wanted to touch millions of hearts. She believed if one person went out of their way to show compassion, it could start a beautiful chain reaction. But she didn’t live long enough to prove her theory. She was killed at the Columbine shootings in 1999.

That year, Rachel’s father, Darrell, began speaking around the country in an attempt to start that chain reaction his daughter had hoped for. These days, Darrell and thirty other speakers visit schools in the United States. Students are given the opportunity to accept Rachel’s challenge, to begin treating each other with more kindness and compassion. Educators at those schools are noticing a difference.

From the time I could read, I recall seeing The Golden Rule printed on every ruler: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Whoa! What a concept. And it’s not a hard thing to do.You just have to accept the fact that everyone has feelings.

Now, I’m not saying all our bullying troubles could be remedied by printing something on every kid’s ruler. But we need to talk about that sentence. Think about it.

Talk to your kids about bullying.

Smile at someone you don’t know.

Hold the door for a stranger.

Let someone go in front of you at the grocery store.

When you’re feeling bad and you want to make someone else feel bad too, don’t. Just don’t.

Be a good example. Your kids are watching.

You can check out Rachel’s Challenge at www.rachelschallenge.org