I would not be the first to notice and feel, the warmth of the example of the Tartan Army in Boston, was one of the best news worthy, feel good stories in the news I felt and saw in a long time. We need more. Yet, there is!

In the last few days, despite working through a long lit of to-do’s I also wanted to make new discoveries, and I have…

-The love of futball I truly came into while I lived in Mexico has continued to stay with me and for that I am grateful. I am do glad to see it occurring and resurging in the U.S. but more importantly, I love how it is exposing various countries and teams from around the world to so many people in different countries. If what we term soccer is a vehicle for bringing new cultural awareness and practices to the U.S.- I am all for it. I feel this has mde more games with the World Cup than all of the opportunities not taken by the current Presidential administration and there are lessons to be learned, unearthed, that will surprsse many when they take steps to constantly learn about other countries, traditions, customs and more. It is so welcoming. Also, you need to catch the Kansas town supporting the Algerian team. There is so much we overlook in the value and importance found in other countries and the amazingness of other countries truly shifts how important America is, with the ability to recognize the value of other countries when we define who we are in seeing multiculturalism in so many parts of the U.S.. It is overdue. It is so so sad how so little do not know cultures outside of the U.S. and I hope this continues to change if it cannot occur at a Governmental level, which it should be.

-In approaching the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States, I stumbled across a book titled The American Spirit, by David McCullough, (unknowing he was from Pittsburgh!) and one early speech I came across, in a chapter in the book titled Civilization and the City, dated 1994, a commencement speech at the University of Pitt, YES, given in Pittsburgh, PA just resonated through me. It reminded me how much I love Pittsburgh and all the ways I am connected to Pittsburgh. The speech alone is worth the read of this book, but what strikes me is that for all the privilege I have had to be as so many amazing schools, from my first Middle School in Lusby, MD to Mexico City to currently Delaware, I have always seen so many youth that have the potential to do amazing things to better our world. This gives me hope as I also take in the mixing of celebrations I witnessed in so many countries coming together in some fashion due to the Wolrd Cup as mentioned above.

-I love stumbling on the book, Staying Gold, but Boy O’Connor. The chapter about how a librarian, asking her students to write a letter, which actually resulted in the movie being made, thanks to those students. It goes a long, long way at showing how schools libraries and public libraries, make an impact and provide avenues of leadership for youth and all members of communities. Once people realize the power school libraries can activate for schools, how public libraries can change communities, things in other areas can change for the netter. Amazing what can come out of one chapter, yet alone one book.

-By accident, I had my Alexa tuned myself into a Australian radio show podcast, https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/politics-now and I have to say, I LOVE IT! It is so interesting to hear podcasts and news from the view of another country. One of the many reasons I loved living in Mexico so much and opened my mind and thoughts up to so many new ways, in better ways. I think a good idea to do so in other countries as well!

-The lessons I have heard from the latest Toy Story movie (there have been FIVE!) pitting tech versus wholesome messaging about peer pressure and more. LOVE IT.

-I love the themes and ideas expressed in this video I came acoss involving the Obama’s and Dave Chapelle. Powerful. “Life is about the small stuff.”

I am finding, despite the hustle and bustle still finding their way to my door, it is vital that each of us resist the doom and gloom politics has the ability to impact us and yet, we have the opportunity to resist the urge to be brought down. Things can change and can change for the better, if we set our mind to it and push aside the siloed views that politics and groups bring to us. Positive change is available in so many areas and change is possible – our future generations need to be reminded of that daily and in the mix, the cultures and countries OUTSIDE of the U.S. can have a huge factor in that. I feel more of an American when I recognize the value other countries being to our own country.