EmpoweredEd2020

Walt Disney was rejected over 300 times before Mickey Mouse came to be.Three hundred times. The man who’s work has touched billions was also fired from a job at a Kansas City newspaper for ‘lacking creativity’. After Walt succeeded in bringing Mickey to life, he caved under mounting business and self-induced pressures, and suffered — as he called it, ‘one heck of a breakdown’. Not exactly a traditional version of success that our minds would be inclined to conjure. People may ask me why I have so much admiration for Walt Disney, the man. It’s because while we tend to celebrate those that think differently or have difficulty staying within societal lines — quite often early on, they are shunned and misunderstood. They are easily celebrated after validation, but not during the climb. A journey which is criticized, ridiculed and deemed incomprehensible countless times. I admire him for his commitment and willingness to always find a way, no matter the sacrifice.  I am sure he didn’t know ...

Walt Disney was rejected over 300 times before Mickey Mouse came to be.Three hundred times. The man who’s work has touched billions was also fired from a job at a Kansas City newspaper for ‘lacking creativity’. After Walt succeeded in bringing Mickey to life, he caved under mounting business and self-induced pressures, and suffered — as he called it, ‘one heck of a breakdown’. Not exactly a traditional version of success that our minds would be inclined to conjure. People may ask me why I have so much admiration for Walt Disney, the man. It’s because while we tend to celebrate those that think differently or have difficulty staying within societal lines — quite often early on, they are shunned and misunderstood. They are easily celebrated after validation, but not during the climb. A journey which is criticized, ridiculed and deemed incomprehensible countless times. I admire him for his commitment and willingness to always find a way, no matter the sacrifice.  I am sure he didn’t know ...

Walt Disney was rejected over 300 times before Mickey Mouse came to be.Three hundred times. The man who’s work has touched billions was also fired from a job at a Kansas City newspaper for ‘lacking creativity’. After Walt succeeded in bringing Mickey to life, he caved under mounting business and self-induced pressures, and suffered — as he called it, ‘one heck of a breakdown’. Not exactly a traditional version of success that our minds would be inclined to conjure. People may ask me why I have so much admiration for Walt Disney, the man. It’s because while we tend to celebrate those that think differently or have difficulty staying within societal lines — quite often early on, they are shunned and misunderstood. They are easily celebrated after validation, but not during the climb. A journey which is criticized, ridiculed and deemed incomprehensible countless times. I admire him for his commitment and willingness to always find a way, no matter the sacrifice.  I am sure he didn’...

Walt Disney was rejected over 300 times before Mickey Mouse came to be. Three hundred times. The man who’s work has touched billions was also fired from a job at a Kansas City newspaper for ‘lacking creativity’. After Walt succeeded in bringing Mickey to life, he caved under mounting business and self-induced pressures, and suffered — as he called it, ‘one heck of a breakdown’. Not exactly a traditional version of success that our minds would be inclined to conjure. People may ask me why I have so much admiration for Walt Disney, the man. It’s because while we tend to celebrate those that think differently or have difficulty staying within societal lines — quite often early on, they are shunned and misunderstood. They are easily celebrated after validation, but not during the climb. A journey which is criticized, ridiculed and deemed incomprehensible countless times. I admire him for his commitment and willingness to always find a way, no matter the sacrifice.  I am sure he didn’t ...

1. Take care of you -- Exercise, eat well-balanced meals, stick to regular routines and reach out to others for support. These activities might be difficult when you are grieving, but taking care of yourself is still important. Grieving children do better when they have a healthy adult providing support and understanding to them.   2. Be honest with your child -- Discuss the tragic event with your child in a simple, direct and age appropriate manner. Be honest and share clear, accurate information about what happened. Children need to hear the truth from someone they love.   3. Listen -- Listen to your child share his or her story about what happened. Let them ask you questions and answer their questions as best as you can. Do not be afraid to say, “I don’t know.”   4. Acknowledge your child’s grief -- recognize that your child is grieving. Be careful not to impose your grief on your child, but allow him or her to grieve in his or her own way. It is normal ...

1. Take care of you -- Exercise, eat well-balanced meals, stick to regular routines and reach out to others for support. These activities might be difficult when you are grieving, but taking care of yourself is still important. Grieving children do better when they have a healthy adult providing support and understanding to them.  2. Be honest with your child -- Discuss the tragic event with your child in a simple, direct and age appropriate manner. Be honest and share clear, accurate information about what happened. Children need to hear the truth from someone they love.  3. Listen -- Listen to your child share his or her story about what happened. Let them ask you questions and answer their questions as best as you can. Do not be afraid to say, “I don’t know.”  4. Acknowledge your child’s grief -- recognize that your child is grieving. Be careful not to impose your grief on your child, but allow him or her to grieve in his or her own way. It is normal for children to feel an array of...

1. Take care of you -- Exercise, eat well-balanced meals, stick to regular routines and reach out to others for support. These activities might be difficult when you are grieving, but taking care of yourself is still important. Grieving children do better when they have a healthy adult providing support and understanding to them.  2. Be honest with your child -- Discuss the tragic event with your child in a simple, direct and age appropriate manner. Be honest and share clear, accurate information about what happened. Children need to hear the truth from someone they love.  3. Listen -- Listen to your child share his or her story about what happened. Let them ask you questions and answer their questions as best as you can. Do not be afraid to say, “I don’t know.”  4. Acknowledge your child’s grief -- recognize that your child is grieving. Be careful not to impose your grief on your child, but allow him or her to grieve in his or her own way. It is normal for children to feel an array...