KIDS find SELF-WORTH

TRUE STORIES OF SELF-WORTH

by Gary Lewis

'Jessica's Special Buttons' is my first picture story book to focus on SADNESS linked to SELF-WORTH and VALUE. This book can be used as either a prequel or sequel to the second book 'Jackson Uncovers Hidden Treasure' as well as 'Olivia's Jar of Pickled Inspiration'

The ideas and concepts shared within these three books have a proven history of positive outcomes, as they are based on true life stories of many children with whom I worked during my time as a Primary School Chaplain.

All three books can be read by students, parents and teachers as a tool for building healthy self-esteem in children.

Each book contains a link to the teacher resource ideas for CIRCLE TIME & extended curricular activities. 

  

CIRCLE TIME activities

JESSICA'S SPECIAL BUTTONS

Jessica felt sad … but she did not know why.

Perhaps … she could talk to her Grandma.

Whilst visiting her Grandma, something incredible happens as she makes a surprising discovery. 

She discovers a strange collection of objects in her Grandma's apron pocket. And then amazingly, Jessica’s sadness seems to disappear as she learns a valuable lesson about herself.

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CIRCLE TIME activities

JACKSON UNCOVERS HIDDEN TREASURE

Jackson felt sad…but he did not know why.
He needed to tell someone how he was feeling. 
Perhaps…he could talk to his Grandpa.

Whilst on a fishing trip with his Grandpa, something interesting happens. 

Not only does he discover that his Grandpa has a secret treasure box in his fishing pack…Jackson’s sadness seems to disappear as he learns a valuable lesson about himself.

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'OLIVIA'S JAR OF PICKLED INSPIRATION'

CIRCLE TIME activities

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Be inspired ... GARY

ROCKS IN YOUR HEAD 

Ever since I was a boy I have had this fascination with stones and pebbles. At one stage I even wanted to become a geologist; and could tell the name and origin of many fine specimens.

However, with time I may have lost the desire to do the scientific research or to understand the names, but I have never lost my fascination for observation and collection. They don’t have to be gemstones, just interesting and different. For example, once I actually found a pebble in the school yard that looks just like a small starfish on a rock! Another stone I found had a cross marked on it; whilst another looks like a potato and yet another is the shape of a heart and another is the shape of a small foot! How fascinating!

From time to time friends and family have given me a gift of a pebble or stone. My eldest granddaughter Bella recently had wrapped and proudly presented me with two very special white shiny stones for my 60th birthday.  The stones were very special, but even more so was the joy that it brought her to be able to give them to her ‘Gramps’.

Often times I find opportunities for using pebbles in my Chaplaincy work, especially working with kids on self-esteem. There have been students who as they have held a chosen pebble in the hands, have been stumped for words as they realize that they are holding something that is uniquely one-of-a-kind … but then even more so as they realize that they too are indeed uniquely valuable as a one-of-a-kind individual. Not so long ago, one student cried as she held ‘her stone’ she had identified as most like her, which I then gave to her.

Similarly, as I share this simple concept with adults - of one’s uniqueness being just like the stone which is a ‘one-of-a-kind’ – there is quite often an emotional response. Just recently, a 70+ year old man also shed a tear as he was touched in his heart when he realized the reality of this profound truth. When he  received his pebble he gave me a very big hug!

One student, who had been struggling self-harming thoughts, was deeply touched holding his pebble as he realized that he too was unique and valuable, that he declared: “Gary you have saved my life!”

Some time ago, a friend of mine handed me piece of writing that I to share. The words express another simple yet powerful insight into the use of pebbles. Here it is:

A small trouble is like a pebble.

If one holds it close to their eyes, it fills the whole world and puts everything else out of focus.

If the pebble is held at a proper distance, it can be examined objectively for what it is worth.

If the pebble is thrown into a pond or lake, it creates a series of ripples that travel to the extreme edges of the water or else fades out into oblivion — whilst the pebble sinks out of sight.

If the pebble is thrown on the ground, it is seen in its true setting — as a tiny bump in one’s path. **

This little piece of prose of course illustrates just one simple thought in the use of a pebble, but maybe some time you might just like to test it out. Be careful though, with whom you share what you have done however … they might think that you’ve got rocks in your head!

Chaplain Gary

** Source unknown

Posted 5th May 2012 by LIFE MARKERS

Labels: chaplaincy focus one-of-a-kind pebbles Perspective rocks Self-Esteem self-harm self-worth stones suicide uniqueness Values

VALUE TO FAITH

A message of encouragement for all the CHRISTIAN parents, grandparents, teachers chaplains, counselors and student well-being officers. 

If you who think that I have forgotten a most important fundamental matter of faith in CHRIST, and what the BIBLE says about self-worth and the VALUE that God places on us as individuals ... keep reading!

As mature people of FAITH in CHRIST, it would be hoped that you can firstly see that the stories in these books are based on true life stories in my interaction with primary-aged students in secular schools. As a Christian Chaplain working in a non-Christian setting (although I was recognized as a GOD-PERSON), I was very restricted by law as to proselytizing or sharing my own faith.

In a similar way these stories are written in a way which reflect that same ethos, and yet at the same time opens up the opportunity for all of you to open up those FAITH conversations with your students, children and grandchildren.

Some open-ended questions like: 

*  'What do think God says about you?'

*  'How much do you think God values you?'

Through my own struggles along my journey of discovery, I used a simple ABC list of 'WHO I AM IN CHRIST' in a similar way to Olivia's inspirational scrolls.

For example ... I AM ...

A - accepted by God

B - born again /  being changed in Christ

C -  created in the image of God

D - dead to sin

E - empowered by the Holy Spirit

F - free from condemnation in Christ Jesus

G - growing in the knowledge & grace of the Lord Jesus

You get the idea!!

You can see that they are scripture based.

My prayer is that you will use these stories in conjunction with you own life and faith experience to share with your children; and that as you allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you and through you ... you too will see young lives changed!

WHO AM I? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcC1Bp13n_4&feature=youtu.be

YOU SAY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqpNGYbcy3U

God's blessing of peace be with you

Gary