Dear Difference Maker,

Last week, I sent out Momma Nan's story about how the Power of Acknowledgment is the only weapon you need against violence that is happening in many forms within today's youth: from allowing kids to get by with simple "making fun of" others, to bullying, to actual gun violence.

This reader has written before, and has transformed lives with learning how to think differently about all unskillful behavior.

Hello Mary,
    I wrote you several years ago about a boy, Joe, I had in a class I was subbing for. I had gotten up in the middle of the night because I could not stop thinking of how a sincere, loving touch and kind words had transformed a tough kid into my biggest helper that day. You used that story. I felt so good.
    Well, today Mary, I am writing you about a serious problem the Chicago area has. Kids are killing kids. Last week there was a video on-line of a 16 year-old honor student being killed. There was a meeting in Chicago today about what to do. President Obama sent two people from his staff to talk with community leaders. I was in my car listening to all this and praying. I briefly thought about the Blue Ribbons but I thought, "These are hardened gang members...could a little Blue Ribbon make that much of a difference?" I prayed some more.
    I have lived in northern Illinois my whole life...but not the city proper. Two of my step-daughters and a niece live downtown in upscale, comfortable neighborhoods. Today I heard about a busload of gang members, like they are commuting to work, coming from the South Side to Lincoln Park to mug and rob the women in that area. Lincoln Park is one of the most upscale areas of Chicago and considered very secure. The news man who was talking about this said, "This isn't a race problem, it isn't a gang problem, IT IS EVERYONE'S PROBLEM. WE CAN NOT, ANY LONGER, TURN OUR BACKS ON THIS AND LET SOMEBODY ELSE FIX IT." I agreed. But what to do?
    I am a professional speaker. My mantra has been for years: BE THE PEBBLE THAT STARTS THE RIPPLE. I think I need to step up to the plate and start a tsunami. When I got your e-mail about how those people gave the Blue Ribbons to gang members, I knew it was a sign. I'm not sure where to start but start I will. It's time to stop the killing...please God, let me help start the loving. I'll keep you posted. Lonnie Farr

But this is not all that happened last week ... another teen committed suicide in Texas:

GET INVOLVED NOW!

Family: Bullied Teen Commits Suicide
Published : Friday, 02 Oct 2009, 9:01 PM CDT
Emily Lopez
Adapted for Web by Tracy DeLatte
CLEBURNE, Texas - Friends and loved ones of a 15-year-old Cleburne boy who took his own life say he was repeatedly bullied and teased. FOX 4 and myFOXdfw.com don’t typically report on suicides, but in this case the teen’s family wants all families to be aware of the serious consequences of bullying. Family members said Hunter Layland was a freshman at Cleburne High School. He also had a hearing problem and facial scars because of an accident when he was a toddler. Several classmates made fun of him, Hunter’s family said. They made fun of the way he looked and someone once told him “If I had a face like yours I’d shoot myself.” Hunter committed suicide on Wednesday.

Teen Suicide and School Bullying

There are suicide and bullying prevention resources available on Centers for Disease Control’s Web site. According to the CDC, suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds and the government health organization encourages parents to talk with their children about respecting their peers.

National Make A Difference Day is October 24th. For Blue Ribbons go to: makeadifference.com/BlueRibbons

Many reading this are parents and helping professionals -- and as you know, until we heal how we treat each other, at work, home and our community at large, it won't be passed down to this generation.

We spend most of our time with the people we work with in our places of business. We have a responsibility as business leaders to help our people get plugged in and turned on to creating an environment in which, they can be part of a synergistic culture. This ultimately impacts our children and our communities.

The HOW is in my Make A Difference with the Power of Compassion Book & DVD, and also its companion www.TeamSynergy101.com Online Training Package. Stop making it more difficult than it needs to be! Stop JUDGING and Start Making A Difference!

Reaching out...

Mary Robinson Reynolds, M.S.
makeadifference.com/Business