PeacemakersArt Nature Photography

It is time for high school graduation ceremonies and I wanted to take time to acknowledge my former high school students who remained as middle school advisors for community service this year. When I retired from teaching last year, I was unsure if my middle school community service program would continue. However, my high school juniors decided to dedicate their senior year to working with a “new” teacher to assist her throughout the school year. To me, this was amazing and I am honored and humbled by their acts of kindness and dedication to service. So, I wanted to use this public forum to share my respect, honor and love for each of “my” high school students.

So, to all of you, this is my graduation speech for you…

I wish you the best in all your future endeavors and please know that you will always have a special place in my heart. You are my personal heroes and a constant reminder to me of the far-reaching effects of compassion. I am so clear now that the people you serve receive your love and you are empowered by the experience of making a difference in our world with your actions. Ultimately, just as powerful, are the observers of your service. We, who look at your actions for the good with awe at your incredible aliveness, are blessed a hundred-fold observing your actions of love. We become inspired. We become hopeful. We become whole with humanity. You change our actions for the good by being role models for us.

I have always called you the peacemakers of the world as you are our future leaders. It was all of you who inspired the name of my inspirational art photography endeavor – PeacemakersArt.com. So, to each of you, I send you my love forever and my admiration for your integrity to “be” the change in the world that will bring peace.

With special love,

Ms. Gaia

Today I received an email from one of my former students who is now in college. She was a member of my community service program in both middle school and high school. I was filled with emotion as I read her email. She not only conveyed her love and pride of family but also her love for humanity which continues into her adult life. I am so proud of her and for her personal contribution to my life. She reminds me to look for blessings each day and to express gratitude for the opportunity to live my life with freedom.

“The other day I was talking to my mom and she told me a story about how my dad showed an act of kindness and I thought I would share it with you because I know that you would appreciate it. My dad went out to lunch with his friend the other day, and while they were out at lunch a Soldier in his uniform (who my dad thinks just got back from war, because he was with his wife and baby and were all lovey dovey) went out to lunch. My dad ate his lunch with his friend and then told the waiter that he wanted to pay for the soldier and his wife’s lunch. So he paid for their lunch and then left. I thought that, even so simple, that it was a great act of kindness to show that he appreciates what the soldier does for our country.

Community service and helping out is still a huge part of my life. Down here in Maryland, I have been trying to find things to do in which I can help out. I plan on volunteering at the Ronald McDonald house and I’m not sure what else yet. But its something I plan to get involved with when things aren’t so crazy with school.”

For the past several months, I have been walking “Nikki” in our local cemetery each day.  I have noticed that many flowers blow away from gravestones, on a regular basis, as a result of our wind storms.  So, as I walk Nikki, I pick up the flowers and place them next to their intended gravestones.  It is a simply gesture of community service, however,  I feel that it honors the soul.  It is interesting, however, I feel that Nikki sends a blessing to the soul as well.

The other evening I called a dear friend who was a parent advisor in the service program that I had created. We touched upon many topics of conversation including service and helping others. She shared some of the simple acts of kindness that she does in her days and I was especially impressed when she told me that she helps the elderly find their cars, which may be hidden from immediate site, when she finishes grocery shopping. What a simple act. What a profound blessing for anyone who may experience her presence.

Community Service and Random Acts of Kindness

Every person can make a difference in our world. PeacemakersArt provides opportunities for you to make your contribution by celebrating diversity, human potential and community service. This is a forum to share your community service efforts or random acts of kindness. Let’s inspire each other and share what we have done lately to help or enhance the quality of someone’s life. Mother Teresa once said: “There are no great things in life, only small things with great love.” Please share your small and simple gestures to inspire us all. Thank you!