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Monthly Myrrh

October 2023

Monthly MyrrhOctober 2023

National Bullying Prevention Month

God commands us to love another as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). Teaching and practicing balanced self-care can reduce stress and increase confidence in young and old alike. Strong self-confidence is a key ingredient in combatting bullying.


Check out this month’s ideas and resources for both!

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Stress HACKS

Combat stress with these two POWERFUL proactive measures.


1. Beauty is a balm for the soul. Whether it is a sunrise, the aroma of your morning coffee, or your favorite music, beauty will bring balance to your spirit every time.


So be sure to stop to smell those roses, pause to watch the morning sky, or try Jim Brinkman’s soothing free song a month.


2. Boundaries help us to live more purposefully. Examine the purpose behind your activities and cut some out! Set and protect your boundaries.


Here is a good resource for recognizing STRESS in youth. We must both model and be a resource for our children in managing the stressors of life.


“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28-30

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Habit HACKS

Building good habits and breaking bad ones is not for the faint of heart. It also helps to have some basic knowledge of human behavior and how you can manipulate it.


We are “creatures of habit” but with a little know-how and determination, you can take charge! Habits are made up of the:


  1. Trigger
  2. Behavior
  3. Reward

The holidays will be here before you know it. Now is a great time to pay attention to our triggers and make mindful choices that lead to the rewards we truly want.


Check out this fabulous habit-busting article for all the scoop to win this battle once and for all!!


“Habits don't have to be life-threatening to be serious. They simply have to block your goals.” Michael Hyatt

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Class HACKS

Research proves that children cannot excel if they do not feel connected and safe. The answer lies with YOU.


Students would rather have an authentic whole-hearted teacher than a brilliant one. According to the CCK Framework, students want teachers who are:


  1. Calm and patient during challenging times
  2. Clear and consistent in communication
  3. Kind, non-judgmental, and attentive to their changing needs

You cannot create this, you have to choose to BE this; to practice self-compassion, and to model healthy well-being.


In Psalm 139:23-24, we learn to ask God to help us in self-examination, when David said, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”


This takes intention and the outcome ... can change everything.

Upstanders and the Good Samaritan

Teaching and reminding our children how to recognize, respond to, and report bullying is key to managing damage control and shutting it down.


Bullying is... targeted, intentional, and repetitive aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. It is a pattern of behaviors that harms a child. This can come in many forms; verbal, social, physical, and cyber bullying.


Bullying is not… excluding or disliking someone, being “bossy”, and/or accidental physical harm.


Bullies gravitate to the weak and often enjoy having an audience. Take these two things away and you have come a long way toward prevention. Bullies tend to target peers with low self-esteem, ones who react to their hurtful words and/or deeds. To make matters worse, bystanders often respond with laughter and/or indifference that is fueled by fear.


These facts make building self-confidence a major player in building upstanders and defeating bullying.


Confident students are assertive, not aggressive. Teach children the difference. Aggressive people attempt to force others to get what they want through manipulation and intimidation. Assertive people respectfully share their needs and defend themselves and others against unfairness.


Upstanders exercise compassion and take a stand. It helps children to understand that the bully is seeking power and control. Refusing to fuel these goals diminishes their power play. For more information on building upstanders check out STOMPOUTBULLYING.


In Luke 10:25- 37, an expert in the Law asked Christ how one can inherit eternal life. He answered that we must love the Lord with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves. The follow-up question was “Who is my neighbor”?


Christ answered this question with a parable. He told the story of a man who was on his way to Jericho when he was robbed, beaten, and left for dead. Multiple people passed him by and offered him no help. And then came along a Samaritan who refused to stand by and do nothing. He took pity on him and took action. He bandaged his wounds, took him to an inn, cared for him, and paid for his lodging.


Christ then asked, “Which of these do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”


Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”


Other Great Resources...

Teach kids how to be an Upstander

20 Best Anti-Bullying Videos

Arm Your Child Against Bullying

Cyberbullying