“The powerful Blue Ribbon system gives children and adults of all ages the long overdue right to be appreciated, loved and nurtured by the society in which they live.”
– Jack Canfield, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, featured teacher in “The Secret”
WHO I AM MAKES A DIFFERENCE
By: Helice "Sparky" Bridges
http://www.blueribbons.org/success_stories.html
Story featured in Chicken Soup For The Soul and made into a television movie that aired nationwide on PAX TV
A teacher in New York decided to honor each of her high school seniors for
the difference they made in her life. Then she presented each of them with a
Blue Ribbon imprinted with gold letters, which read, "Who I Am Makes a
Difference."%uFFFD
Afterwards the teacher gave each of the students three more ribbons to
acknowledge others, to see what impact it would have in their community.
They were to follow up on the results, see who honored whom and report back
to the class the following week.
One of the students honored a junior executive in a nearby company for
helping him with his career planning. The student gave him a blue ribbon and
put it on his shirt just over his heart. Then the boy gave him two extra
ribbons, explained their class project on acknowledgement and enlisted the
executive's help.
Later that day the junior executive went in to his boss and told him that he
deeply admired him for being a creative genius. The junior executive asked
him if he would accept the gift of the blue ribbon and would he give him
permission to put it on him. His surprised boss said, "Well, sure." After
placing the ribbon above his boss' heart, he asked him to support the efforts
of the class project and pass on the extra ribbon.
That night the grouchy boss went home to his 14-year-old son and sat
him down. He said, "The most incredible thing happened to me today. I
was in my office
and one of the junior executives came in and told me he admired me and
gave
me this blue ribbon for being a creative genius. Imagine. He thinks I'm
a
creative genius. Then he put this blue ribbon that says 'Who I Am Makes
a
Difference'%uFFFD on my jacket above my heart. Next he gave me an extra
ribbon and
asked me to find somebody else to honor. As I was driving home tonight,
I
started thinking about whom I would honor with this ribbon and I
thought
about you, son. I want to honor you."
"My days are really hectic and when I come home I don't pay a lot of
attention to you. Sometimes I scream at you for not getting good enough
grades in school or for your bedroom being a mess. But somehow tonight, I
just wanted to sit here and, well, just let you know that you do make a
difference to me. Besides your mother, you are the most important person in
my life. You're a great kid and I love you!"
The startled boy started to sob and sob, and he couldn't stop crying.
His
whole body shook. He walked over to a drawer, pulled out a gun, stared
at his father and, through his tears said, "I was planning on
committing suicide tomorrow, Dad, because I didn't think you loved me.
Now I don't need to."
Copyright %uFFFD 1988 Helice Bridges
In
1983, Helice “Sparky” Bridges founded Difference Makers International
so that every child would grow up in a safe, supportive, nurturing
environment in which they would know that who they are makes a
difference. Today the “Who I Am Makes A Difference” Blue Ribbon
Programs have impacted the lives of over 26 million people throughout
the world.
http://www.blueribbons.org/success_stories.html
Who I am makes a Difference
How
true that we laugh together, but cry alone! Send this movie to someone
today. You never know whose life you might have silently and
unknowingly touched. ...
www.inspiringthots.net/movie/i-made-diff.php
http://www.blueribbonmovie.com/
YouTube - Who I Am Makes A Difference® Introduction
In 1983, Helice "Sparky" Bridges founded Difference Makers ...
9 min -
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mcpJTKObYQ
2 comments on "Who I Am Makes A Difference"
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Oh, wow! This is incredible! What a difference it can make in a person's life and opinion of himself and his worth if someone will just say so. This moved me so much. I should start doing this ... so, Ana, let me begin by saying that YOU have made a difference in my life. The abundance of information you lead me to for more learning, your uncanny way of "reaching me" right at the right time, and the way you encourage me to be a better person (but without criticism of who I am) is how you inspire me and make a difference.
WOW Thank you Donna, I'll 'wear' the blue ribbon with appreciation and pass along a ribbon to many others.
However you get one first.
You are an amazing individual, to whom a world of beauty, 'real' talk and walks has inspired me. Your sensitive eye to see beyond and to search meaning through the symbolic and share it.
Your writings and photos inspire me to be more and share more.
Thank you Donna