Stories by Winston (4 matches)

Giving and Receiving Gratitude on Thanksgiving Day

I have lived in Falmouth, MA for about 10 years.  I had moved several times before finding Falmouth, never really settling in one place for a long time.  However, Falmouth has become home. I think it is a safe place to do good work.  I like that I often run into someone I know whenever I am grocery shopping or running errands.  My favorite experience of Falmouth was when I volunteered to deliver Thanksgiving dinner to families or individuals unable to drive or stranded by illness.  It was an amazing experience. Volunteers check in, line up and follow the directions given.  There were many people working.  Children were coloring placemats for each box, adults were cooking and serving food, and the drivers were filling the containers with the meals they would soon deliver.  How they manage all of this is quite amazing.  The coordination of such an event is awe-inspiring. The best ... Read Full Story >>

A Revolution in Me

I am an assistant principal. As I reflect upon life this past year, although the experiences that took place were not directly my own, they still became a part of me, and it is through them I changed.   In September, right before school started, a beloved teacher of 39- years-old killed himself. In April, a 38-year-old mother of three, and friend to many, killed herself.  Both of these events were obviously tragic and both took place within the span of the school year. The many living casualties who were left behind began questioning themselves, "could I have done or said anything to prevent this?" "Maybe I should have spent more time with them. I should have, would have, could have done something more," and the onslaught of self-blame continued. Much of these questions that were asked are understandable, and I was among the many who kept this process of self-interrogation churning in my mind. When these tragedies occur, we are ... Read Full Story >>

Finding the Prince Inside a Child

I work with children for some reason, I am often able to calm the most difficult behaviors. Children seem to sense intuitively that I believe in them. This level of understanding comes from a spiritual place and no matter what kind of day I might be having, I always rise to the immediate occasion and work to allow children to maintain their own dignity. One of the children I work with is a young boy  of 11 who  comes from a very tumultuous home. When at home, he is able to go and do as he pleases without asking anyone’s permission. He is on the street, riding his bicycle, meeting up with friends, at all hours. At school he has a difficult time listening to adult instruction and like at home, likes to go wherever he wants, when he wants. The adults become very upset with him and when they express their angst, he ... Read Full Story >>

It's Not What I Got, But What I Gave

It took me quite a while to realize that a simple smile and short greeting could truly make a difference in people's lives.  I did not smile much as a teenager or young adult.  Once in a while someone would say, "Smile", and I would want to tell them to mind their own business. 

As I grew up and was able to get out of my own head , I began to realize that it was not what I got but what I gave that would ultimately make me smile with autenthicity.  Even when life is rough, I remeber that others might be having a tough time too and I always try to rise to the occasions and brandish a smile.