Ever since I read Daniel Goleman’s  Emotional Quotient (Bantam, 1995), I have been mindful of the break down in society that manifests in the schools.  Bullying, rejection, peer pressure, shunning, teasing, and other behaviors that are manifestation of people hurting people—in the grade schools! Self-mutilation, suicide, murder, separation, loneliness and isolation have been some of the costs of this. 

Early this fall I was an adult participant at Sedro-Woolley High School in their Challenge Day program.  I participated in one of the three days as the entire freshman class of Sedro Woolley High School experienced this program.  Challenge Day was also occurring simultaneously in the Mt. Vernon High School.

I witnessed bullies hugging their victims; of those who thought they were superior hugging those they had scorned; of those paying a high price to belong finding they were no longer willing to pay that price.  I saw those who felt hopeless find hope.  Others bridged separation of class from senior to freshman connecting in a revealing level of understanding. All of them got to experience the feeling that they were perfect exactly as they were right then.  Loads of tears—healing tears that were cathartic.

Just recently I participated in the Next Step, a follow-up program to Challenge Day.  This was three days of intense process and yet it was quickly a community bonded in support and connection with each other.  18 years and below, adults, young adults, parents, grandparents, all were participating in process, each for themselves and also generously holding space for those who were working through deep pain. 

The Challenge Day in Skagit County and the  Next Step in Everett were supported with fund raising, outreach and program support by the Snohomish Circle of Change.

I found this program to be a rich one that has ripples spreading out.  Where it may go; I do not know.  But I know this, I will make inquiry; I have names and numbers to contact.  It is time my home community also experience this.  I just need a few others who hear this call!

Some relevant links:

http://danielgoleman.info/

www.challengeday.org