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Ryan's avatar

When your son was in my Psychology class he said something I’ve adopted and told to anyone who will listen to me since. “Never be the reason someone has a bad day.”

You might try and fail, but in the trying you hopefully make things better. He’s a good “kid”.

Sheila Dembowski's avatar

Thank you Ryan! Michael loved having you as his teacher and it is wonderful to see what a kind individual he is. Thanks for being one of those special influences in his life!

Ryan's avatar

He’s an influence on mine. He would hang out and we’d solve the world’s problems.

Sheila Dembowski's avatar

Yes Michael does love to share his thoughts on the world and how to make it a better place!

Julie Neches's avatar

How wonderful to have empath as a family trait passing through the generations! Mr. Rogers is a great hero to grow up with for a role model. Now you have become a Mr. Rogers and empath of Substack with your inspirational Kindness Boomerang Newsletter!

Sheila Dembowski's avatar

Thank you so much Julie! Being compared to Mr. Rogers is a huge compliment and I hope people get inspired to spread kindness every day!

Julie Neches's avatar

You already are a big contributor and cheerleader for the spread the kindness mission! Keep up the good work as always!

Shafa Yahya's avatar

//In education, as in other fields, I think the “gentle ones’ are not taken as seriously by others and some may even see them as not good leadership material. I think that is a real disservice - the world does not belong to only extroverts.//

I resonate and completely agree with this. The gentle soft sensitive ones are always ignored and not taken seriously. And the expectation that in order to survive in this world, we must try to be more social and like an extrovert. Although, I’ve always questioned why extroverts are never required to become softer and less harsh. What a weird and insensitive world we live in.

Sheila Dembowski's avatar

Thank you for your insight Shafa! Yes...I think the world needs more empathy and reminders that we all have our own stories and sharing empathy makes those stories, and each other, more valued.