SHOPPING IN HEAVEN

A minute read........
Read this story, and
Follow the recommendation at
The end...
As I was walking
Down life's highway
Many years ago

I came upon a
Sign that read
Heavens Grocery Store..
When I got a
Little closer
The doors swung
Open wide
And when I came
To myselfI was standing
Inside..
I saw a host of
Angels.
They were
Standing everywhereOne handed me a
Basket
And said 'My
Child shop with care..'
Everything a
Human needed
Was in that
Grocery store
And what you
Could not carry
You could come
Back for more

First I got some
Patience.

Love was in that
Same row.

Further down was
Understanding,
You need that
Everywhere you go..

I got a box or
Two of Wisdom
And Faith a bag
Or two.

And Charity of
Course
I would need some
Of that too..

I couldn't miss
The Holy Ghost
It was all over
The place.

And then some
Strength
And Courage to
Help me run this race.

My basket was
Getting full
But I remembered
I needed Grace,And then I chose
Salvation for
Salvation was for
Free
I tried to get
Enough of that to do
For you and me..

Then I started to
The counter
To pay my grocery
Bill,

For I thought I
Had everything
To do the Masters
Will.As I went up the
Aisle
I saw Prayer and
Put that in,
For I knew when I
Stepped outside
I would run into
Sin.Peace and Joy
Were plentiful,
The last things
On the shelf.Song and Praise
Were hanging near
So I just helped
Myself. Then I said to
The angel
'Now how much do
I owe?'

He smiled and
Said

'Just take them
Everywhere you go.'
Again I asked
'Really now,

How much do I
Owe?'

'My child' he
Said, 'God paid your bill
A long long time
Ago.'

This poem has
Been sent to you
With love and for
Blessings.

It originated in
The Netherlands
And has been
Around the world 9 times.

The blessing has now
Come to you and
You will receive
Showers of blessings in the mail

Within six days
Of receiving this letter

Providing you
Sent it out to someone else.
Do not send money
As this message
Has no price. Do
Not keep this letter

But send it on to
Someone who

Needs blessings.

Have A Great Day,

CLASS SPEAKER

Tow days ago, I was invited to speak in a graduate class in the College of Education in USA, University of Central Oklahoma where I am studying my masters degree.  The class is about early childhood and elementary education. The presentation I was asked to deliver is about dealing with diversity in the classroom  and how children in Iraq dealt with violence. 

I started speaking by referring to not consider the subject as the diversity in the classroom, people need to learn how to assert sameness. It is treating people as people that we need to learn, regardless of origins, color of skin or hair. To me, the word "diversity" is biased. It is an embedded confession that we are different. Moreover, Middle Easterns are sensitive about their culture and religions. Pinpointing the child as a Middle Eastern and treating him with this regards is likely to provoke cultural dispute and interpreted as an offence. Therefore, treating the child as equal as the others is the secret to successful conduct. In case the child showed slowness in academic progress, it is not because he is a Middle Eastern or Hispanic or African, it is an indicator of a problem that professionals need to deal with and it is his/her problem as a child.

It is acceptable to ask the child about his culture and to give presentation. I did this in my classroom when I taught Arabic at the University. Sharing culture helped me to learn and progress as a human being. However, treating the child on the basis of his culture is very wrong. I had two Middle Easterns in my classroom, although they were grown up man an a woman. They were treated as my students, judged equally as anyone else, graded equally and treated equally as any other students. 

I also pointed out that Middle Eastern culture tend to get a little more personal than western culture. It is not a curiosity issue, but people really care about each other's lives and problems. They may ask how much you make, are you married or not, how old is your husband and the like. Teacher can explain that they don't like to answer these questions politely and patiently. Basically, the key to deal with awkward situations that are resulting from cultural misunderstanding is patience. 

In terms of dealing with violence, I expressed my frustration that we, as Iraqis, use violence as an excuse for not progressing or working towards better future. This practice, personally costed me a lot. However, I am proud of the new Iraqi youth generation who is fighting violence by education, liberty and voice. 

I was so glad to be given the chance to speak in this class. I felt like I made a difference. This is what I am looking forward to do the rest of my life; to build bridges among cultures based on sharing and cooperation. 

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