Monday, March 9, 2009

One Week Challenge

Young Women Object Lesson...
At the end of our lesson on Showing Love and Support for Our Families (Lesson #10 in YW Manual 1),
I gave each of the Young Women a Bracelet, similar to this, only the beads are much smaller. I got a pack of bracelets at WM for $5. I asked each girl to place the Bracelet on her right wrist and gave the following challenge:

For One Week:
Speak uplifting, kind, positive words to everyone you come in contact with. For one week, refrain from speaking ill of anyone at anytime. If, for some reason you slip up, switch the bracelet to the left wrist and start over, and if you mess up again. switch the bracelet, etc.

I challenged the girls to keep the bracelet on one wrist all week. Of course, I am doing the challenge along with them and will check up with them mid-week. (I had to switch my bracelet last night when I was ranting about the FCAT testing....see below)
This challenge is based on one of my now very favorite quotes I shared a few days ago.
"Be one who nurtures and builds.
Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart,
who looks for the best in people.
Leave people better than you found them."
~Elder Marvin J Ashton~
We spent the majority of the lesson time yesterday discussing the counsel in this quote and how it applies to being a family member as well as the way it could change the world. I had already spent a few days practicing Leaving people better than I found them, so I was able to share some of my experiences with the girls about having the most positive experience with a WM Cashier ever, just because I was conscious of leaving the person better than I found them. (If you know me well, you are surprised about the positive WM experience)
One of my favorite places to practice lifting and building others is in the McDonalds Drive-thru..of course they are all shocked when I am understanding and pleasant....and of course....I have many, many friends at different McD's stores all over the area as a result of my attitude.
I plan on using this quote and giving out bracelets on the first day of Girls Camp with each of the girls from my Ward.
Could you do this for one week?
I thought it would be easy....
Try it and let me know...
Do you LOVE this quote by Elder Ashton?

3 comments:

Laurel said...

love this idea.
love the quote.
LOVE it.

Doty Family said...

Thanks for the idea! I am teaching this lesson on Sunday. Also wanted to thank you for the camp idea's. I love the safari hat idea. We are going to put 5th year girls in charge of groups that will be named after animals. But I want to get each 5th year a hat!!! So cool. We had thought about the spiritual crocidile idea. I really want to push that. I will email you twoards the end of the month! And lucky lady to go to the Young Women General broadcast.

Casey Gentle said...

Can I use this at my camp too? I've got the 4th level girls and it would be GREAT!