Paula's Blog

Oct 13 at 6:59pm

THE POWER OF 3 WORDS!

When I was in 5th and 6th grade, my parents went through a divorce. Each time I think about that time in my life, it is almost as if I am reliving the experience for a moment – the uncertainty, the fear, the loneliness, the wondering if I’m ever going to feel "normal” again. It’s amazing how our minds work, what they have the power to bring to life inside.

I went through some pretty tough years in middle school and high school. I always worked hard, did very well in school, and never took a "wrong” path – for which I am unbelievably grateful for. Honestly, I don’t even know if anyone from the outside would have really known how alone I felt, but inside, I never felt quite sure if I fit in, if I was really loved for who I was. Divorce can do something incredibly harsh to a child’s esteem and over all well-being, even if they appear to be "fine” on the outside. Then two people each said three words to me that forever changed my life… "You Are Special.”

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PAULA’S PARENT/TEACHER TIP #1

Jan 15 at 11:07am

While I was being interviewed on a radio program recently, the host excitedly said, "Paula, you need to write a "Paula’s Tips” column! He was energized by our "Right Road” conversation and offered that such a from-the-heart piece would be a great help for parents and teachers. I have often thought of doing something like that, so thank you Jim B., for providing the impetus for my sitting down to jot this monthly message to all those who will lend a set of eyes to read it! I truly hope each month’s tip will provide a spark that will help you brighten children’s lives in some special and meaningful ways.

TIP #1:

I must say, that for this incredibly meaningful "Tip #1, ” while it is an ingrained part of my being, I cannot take credit for coming up with it! Many, many years ago (just about the time I started working with kids), I remember seeing someone on Oprah share the importance of "lighting up” from your heart and soul whenever your child comes into the room. It was one of those moments that from the second I heard the words, they stuck with me like glue. I realized right away it was something that I tended to do with kids, and when my son was born (he is 7 now), I remember it taking on an even stronger meaning in my heart. I have made it a life-goal to make sure that every time my son comes into the room – even if we are upset with each other, if he has just been disciplined, or if he just knocked over a project by accident (that took four hours to prepare!) – to always shine… make sure my eyes, heart, and soul somehow "light up” just for him.

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Paula's Blog - February 2011

Feb 01

HELLO RIGHT ROAD KIDS, FRIENDS, AND FAMILIES!

Welcome to my very first -- EVER -- blog!

As we have been preparing all of this for you over the last three years -- this website and all of its wonderful resources and information, the long-awaited Right Road For Kids!™ DVD series, the Right Road online store and all of its uplifting products and resources, everything "Right Road" -- something has kept popping into my mind as I have been thinking about writing this first-ever blog to you. If you are familiar with Oprah's magazine, you have probably read her inspiring final page in each issue entitled "What I Know For Sure." THAT is what has been popping into my mind over and over! Here's what I know for sure...

ALL * THINGS * ARE * POSSIBLE!

Over the last 19 years since founding Right Road Kids!™ (known as The Dream Fund Outreach for many, many years), I have heard questions from kids asking, "But Paula, how can I possibly even think of going to college when my mom and dad can be deported any day for not being 'legal'?" Or, how can I study and get good grades when I have to take care of my three brothers and sisters when I get home from school every day?" I have heard stories that make my heart literally ache... A teacher recently told me that one of her 4th grade boys was tied to a tree at home and beaten -- just because. And kids at another school may not be able to get desperately-needed donated eye glasses because their parents may not have a social security number to include on the needed paperwork.

Here is why such stories are even that much more significant to my heart than ever before...

This last year -- 2010 to right now at this moment -- has been the the most difficult year of my life. In many ways, I am grateful for every second, every moment of it all, but the workload and the physical, emotional, and mental toll that the workload and what God has put on my heart for kids has at times, been beyond what words can express. I am not complaining one iota. Sometimes dreams are so big and so challenging that they seem... IMpossible. But I think that's part of it. Tom Hanks' character in the movie "A League of Their Own" says something like, "If it were easy, everyone would be doing it." Achieving immense, meaningful things can take literally everything we've got inside at times. And I believe it is the perseverance, use of talents, faith, determination, and simply "knowing" that it's right and good and MUST be done -- and then just DOING it -- that separates the people and the world-changing projects that will and won't ultimately succeed or come to fruition.