If you have a child anywhere between fourth and tenth grade, there is a good chance they have been exposed to the book "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio. It is the story of fifth-grader August Pullman. August is born with a rare genetic deformity and for the first time in his life, August is going to attend school, after being homeschooled by his mother. It is an amazing book (and movie) that I would highly recommend to all ages.
August's teacher is Mr. Browne, and every day he writes a precept on the board to start the day. He explains to the students that a precept is "a command or principle intended especially as a general rule of action," but in Mr. Browne's terms, precepts are "words to live by."
In the book, Mr. Browne starts the first day of August's fifth-grade year with the precept: When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind. I can't help but focus my thought for this column on that precept.
The New Year of 2018 has begun, as with every New Year there brings hopes and dreams of exciting adventure, possible changes in our good fortune, better eating habits and more exercise. The underlying theme is always that this is going to be our BEST YEAR EVER! My challenge to all of us as we begin this best year ever, is to follow the precept that Mr. Browne starts each school year with: In choosing between being right or being kind, choose kind. Such great words to live by.
In our world today, this message has been lost. We do not see it in our politics, we do not see it in our media, we do not see it on television, movies or social media.
What happened?
Why has this simple precept been erased from our mind? I wish this column would be able to answer those questions for all of us. But I can offer this: If you would be willing to share this precept with every single person you meet in a day, whether it be at work, school, the YMCA or Wal-Mart, the results would be incredible and lives could change.
People aren't going to remember who was right, but they will always remember those who were kind to them. Open a door, say good morning, use please, thank you and you're welcome. Just ask yourself, "how many times could I say thank you, please or you're welcome in one year?" As many times as you could do those things, you would be making a difference. You would be choosing kindness. The impact this would have on our community and world would truly be amazing.
Some people may see this as me being naive or Pollyannaish, but I firmly believe each day I am going to choose kindness over being right. Why not try to instill this in your children? Your spouse? Your coworkers? But most importantly instill it in yourself! If you truly want to make the year of 2018 your best ever, plain and simple: Choose kindness.
- Joe Peters is the principal at St. Victor School in Monroe. His column appears on the second Saturday of each month.
He can be reached at
joepeters@stvictormonroe.org.
August's teacher is Mr. Browne, and every day he writes a precept on the board to start the day. He explains to the students that a precept is "a command or principle intended especially as a general rule of action," but in Mr. Browne's terms, precepts are "words to live by."
In the book, Mr. Browne starts the first day of August's fifth-grade year with the precept: When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind. I can't help but focus my thought for this column on that precept.
The New Year of 2018 has begun, as with every New Year there brings hopes and dreams of exciting adventure, possible changes in our good fortune, better eating habits and more exercise. The underlying theme is always that this is going to be our BEST YEAR EVER! My challenge to all of us as we begin this best year ever, is to follow the precept that Mr. Browne starts each school year with: In choosing between being right or being kind, choose kind. Such great words to live by.
In our world today, this message has been lost. We do not see it in our politics, we do not see it in our media, we do not see it on television, movies or social media.
What happened?
Why has this simple precept been erased from our mind? I wish this column would be able to answer those questions for all of us. But I can offer this: If you would be willing to share this precept with every single person you meet in a day, whether it be at work, school, the YMCA or Wal-Mart, the results would be incredible and lives could change.
People aren't going to remember who was right, but they will always remember those who were kind to them. Open a door, say good morning, use please, thank you and you're welcome. Just ask yourself, "how many times could I say thank you, please or you're welcome in one year?" As many times as you could do those things, you would be making a difference. You would be choosing kindness. The impact this would have on our community and world would truly be amazing.
Some people may see this as me being naive or Pollyannaish, but I firmly believe each day I am going to choose kindness over being right. Why not try to instill this in your children? Your spouse? Your coworkers? But most importantly instill it in yourself! If you truly want to make the year of 2018 your best ever, plain and simple: Choose kindness.
- Joe Peters is the principal at St. Victor School in Monroe. His column appears on the second Saturday of each month.
He can be reached at
joepeters@stvictormonroe.org.
