Here’s to New Beginnings!

As I sit here and reflect on this past year, I find myself extremely appreciative, blessed and yet, I am yearning for more. I have so much left to give to our children and youth to help build their character, find their purpose, know they matter, use their gifts. When I created this nonprofit organization years ago, I had envisioned we would have a space of our own, and, as a believer I know that my plans and God's plan are very seldom in-sync! I've come to know this and add it to my words of wisdom. My vision is much different, as much as I'd love to have a space to invite families to learn about the characters, classrooms and schools to come visit us and learn through our character building activities and lessons, communities to embrace our organization and business's to support our work, I also know that things change. However, as long as you remain focused on the outcome, you’ll get there. The outcome for Characters of Character is to provide a firm foundation for children to establish strong civic values. It is up to us to provide the resources, lessons, activities and introductions of the characters and their trait to our children and youth however we can. What we have discovered is that our children in the hospital need positive activities to engage in and support their healing of mind and body, what we have discovered is that schools need resources to implement in their classrooms and support students learning and mindset to build their esteem.

I also know that there are many lessons we learn when we are aware of our intentions and embrace the journey before us. Until the time presents itself for such a plan, having a space to welcome others, we will continue to impact our children and youth through our donations to children's hospitals, donations to schools, our published books and our community conversations to introduce and empower them. I live my purpose, I live my passion and I am aware that doors open, doors close, however, with focus on the outcome, I will continue to persevere and share these characters important messages with our children and youth.

Running a nonprofit is tiresome, stressful but useful, useful because I know that it makes a difference in the life of a child. If you’ve ever met the characters and had the opportunity to see a child and even their grown up absolutely light up with joy, you will know the impact that they have when they meet each girl and boy. Working from behind the scenes one never knows the true impact that the characters have, however, I’ve received so many letters, notes, words of appreciation and enthusiasm that I will be here forever doing my best to share the Characters of Character with others.

I am reminded by a visit and these words come to mind as said by Tahlia Hunter:

"Patience visited me and it reminded me that good things take time to come to fruition and grow slowly with stability." "Peace visited me and it reminded me that I may remain calm through the storms of life regardless of the chaos surrounding me." "Hope visited me and it reminded me that better times lay ahead and it would always be there to guide and uplift me." "Humility visited me and it reminded me that I may achieve it not by trying to shrink myself and make myself less but by focusing on serving the world and uplifting those around me." "Kindness visited me and it reminded me to be more gentle, forgiving and compassionate toward myself and those surrounding me." "Confidence visited me and it reminded me to not conceal or suppress my gifts and talents in order to make others feel more comfortable." "Focus visited me and it reminded me that other people's insecurities and judgements about me are not my problem and I should redirect my attention from others back to me." "Freedom visited me and it reminded me that no one has control over my mindset, thoughts and well being but me." "And love visited me and it reminded me that I need not search for it in others as it lies within me."

All of these visits reminded me that I AM where I am suppose to be, I AM who I am supposed to be, I AM doing what I am suppose to be doing, I AM learning through the struggles, I AM growing from the triumphs and I AM not looking back, but forward to a New Year. As my heart yearns to do more, be more, make more, love more, learn more and grow more, I will remember these visits to focus myself as I step into 2023. I hope that you will all join me.

May this year be a reminder of the many visits to come in 2023 as we step into the New Year!

Let your heart be merry and bright and may you sparkle in every new day!

With a visit from my thoughts to yours, learn from the past and grow with new beginnings to make a difference in the life of a child.

TELL me and I forget, TEACH me and I remember, INVOLVE me and I learn. Benjamin Franklin

Learn more about Characters of Character here.

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Mindful Monday Word-Reflect