Let's see . . . . It all began when I started teaching some extraordinary sixth grade students and working with some extraordinary teachers. I was young, enthusiastic, and ready to take on the world. I was going to teach these children everything they needed to know to be "successful" in life. We not only tried to teach them reading, writing and math but also tried to build their confidence and self-respect, and at the same time, tried to show them how to treat others and build moral character. Wow! That is a lot to teach in such a short period of time. I was beginning to realize that there wasn't enough time in the day to do everything I wanted to do.
Then my mom, who I love with all of my heart, was diagnosed with lung cancer. She died within six months of being diagnosed and my whole life changed drastically. My two brothers, three sisters, father and I were devastated and given a true reality check. Before this, my faith and character had not been tested. At this point, I realized that you are a reaction to your circumstances. How you handle difficult times is a true reflection of who you are.
I went back to teaching with a passion and maturity that I didn't have before. Then I became pregnant and my whole life changed again. After having my first child, there was nothing more rewarding for me than being a mother. I decided to invest all of my energy into my daughter, so I quit teaching to stay home with her. Four children later, I am still a stay-at-home mom trying to instill the same character traits in my own children that I once tried to teach to other children. It was, and still is, much harder than I ever expected.
Kids . . . they are smart and are always paying attention. They have a keen sense of knowing when you are not practicing what you preach. With my own children, I realized that just talking to them about the qualities was not enough. I had to live by them now. That's when I realized that I needed more training in this than my children did because I was going to have to change. This meant that I was going to have to have courage in tough times, be kind even if I didn't feel like it, persevere even if I felt like giving up, be honest even if it meant not being popular, be respectful even if someone didn't deserve it, and joyful when I am not so joyful. Wow, that is a lot easier said than done.
At this point in my life, I am learning the value of my family, my friendships, my relationships, and the value of what I say, what I do, and what I represent. So this leads me to I've Got Character. A friend and I started meeting with a group of first, second, and third graders to not only talk about character, being a good friend and serving others, but living it as well. We made them t-shirts saying I've Got Character. My husband loved them! He thought, what better way is there than pulling a shirt over your head and wearing it all day long to remind yourself of the things you need to think about, say, do, and live out each and every day? Not only did the clothing begin to inspire us to be better people, but it was inspiring others, as well. So we made some shirts for our family and friends. They loved them! We made more . . . . Now, I've Got Character is inspiring so many of us to look at our values and character, use them to touch those around us, and change our world.
Traci