“Hey! How are you?” … Good

“Hey. How are you?” … Better than good!! – Keith Hawkins

Keith Hawkins opened up our Breaking Down the Walls week at Nevada Union High School with a simple message: Be good, kind, and accepting. He talked about the difference between “permanent and temporary.” He pointed out that what we think of each other is temporary but the education, the memories we create, and who we help are permanent. He mentioned that we may forget who we helped but they will never forget us for helping them.

Breaking Down the Walls founder, Phil Boyte would say, “We are better together.” We truly are better together as people. Whether you’re in high school, at work and/or married we truly are all better together. How we treat people is how people will remember us.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

Keith took how we treat each other to another level when he said, “If we don’t stand up for what’s right we’ll fall for what’s wrong.” In that moment of truth, will I be someone who gives a helping hand? Will I stand up for a friend being made fun of or will I pull out my phone and press record? As a human race, when we start with love and compassion there can never be darkness. When we come from a place of gratitude and respect there can never be hatred.

Breaking Down the Walls is about connectedness. It’s about the idea that it’s hard to hate someone whose story you know. We show respect, share stories, and enjoy some good laughs. The work we’re doing is around improving school culture.

We worked with nearly 80 student leaders after the assembly today and I can humbly say, I’m juiced for this week at Nevada Union High School! These student leaders will make the week and this experience what it will become. I was graced with their presence this afternoon and had a chance to share eye contact with them. I can sense this is going to be one heck of a week!

Imagine Nevada Union High School was a place where no one wanted to leave? What would it look and feel like if we were a family that stood up for one another. When we see things that aren’t good, we would say respectfully, “Hey! We just don’t do that here at NU!”

Wherever you are, whatever issues you are faced with, know this… you are loved and appreciated. Keith shared another powerful story today about a boy who lost both his parents in High School. The boy heard other kinds complaining about their struggles. After one of Keith’s assemblies, the boy came up to Keith and said, “I’d loved to have their problems.” Let us come from a place of gratitude because thoughts become things. Imagine how many people would love to be in your shoes. Perspective helps us acknowledge all that is good in our lives.

Is your cup half empty or half full? In Keith’s case… well… it’s always full no matter what temporary thing comes along.

This week we’ll educate ourselves about ourselves and our school. We’ll create memories while helping each other. And by golly, we’ll have a lot of fun!

Go Miners!! A huge thank you to Pete and Faith. Student leaders you rock!! Let’s gooooo!

**More about Breaking Down the Walls here

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