Hey, somebody call Oprah, I just had an “Aha! moment.”
Do you wanna hear about it?
I was reading my friend Valerie’s blog (and when I say “friend” I mean long, lost soul sister), and she had this quote at the bottom.
“Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.Strive to be happy.”
Max Ehrmann, 1927
Well, it just so happens that I have a portion of that very same quote hanging in my classroom, right beside the door so my kids can see it as they head out into the universe.
Don’t you just love it when things cosmically connect like this?
Valerie’s post reminds me of a mantra some students taught me a few years ago. Whenever their class would get tense (in a writing class where lots of feelings come out, this can happen) “Clody” (two best friends named Clay and Cody) would keep the peace by saying “E.L.E” which stands for “Everybody Love Everybody.” One day, after their class had been particularly unruly and I got upset, “Clody” gave me this note to cheer me up.
I keep it hanging on a bulletin board beside my computer and look at it often, especially on days when I want to scream.
“Everybody Love Everybody.” So simple, so sweet, so easy.
I’m glad I let you guys in on this little secret, and I’m glad Valerie gave me this little reminder that love is everywhere.
3 thoughts on “Everybody Love Everybody”
soul sistas for life! I need to hang up E.L.E. in my office!
xoxo
Oh my gosh! I feel like yelling that from the rooftops sometimes: Everybody Love Everybody! When miss Annalee acquires somes siblings, this little quote will really come in handy 🙂 Love it!
I love the quote. Love the note. I love you. I love everybody!!