In response to the recent events at Virginia Tech, the murders, I felt it was time to speak up, it's time for a conscious voice to be heard. I address this issue and give an answer, of why and how to make for a better future. With living from a place of understanding, instead of fear, we can see through these situation and make a difference.

Maureen Whitehouse, author of Soul-Full Living, and the creator of The C.O.U.R.S.E - Creatively Opening Up to the Resource of Self Esteem, has the answer. I played a part of her CD Coaching Program, Soul at Work, where she tells of her experience working with "troubled kids". This a seed of change being planted in all of our hearts.

The C.O.U.R.S.E http://www.experienceaxiom.com/CON_Schools.htmlSoul-Full Eating, A (Delicious!) Path to Higher Consciousness http://www.soul-fulleating.com/The Soul at Work CD http://www.experienceaxiom.com/CH_SoulAtWork.html

My blog posthttp://ecoserra.blogspot.com/2007/04/virginia-tech-columbine-other-shootings.html

Here is the intro to The C.O.U.R.S.E that I read:

In 1997, two teenage girls were murdered in Maureen’s hometown of Salem, New Hampshire. Three boys, who were acquaintances of the girls, drove north from a suburb of Boston with the premeditated intention of “seeing what it felt like to kill someone.”

These senseless murders hit close to home for the town’s residents as they felt first hand the horror and confusion that parents in Columbine and other towns across the nation had so recently felt when violence rocked their world.

Shortly after this incident Maureen was asked to head up the self-esteem committee of the town’s DAVP--Drug, Alcohol and Violence Prevention program. After reviewing the country’s foremost programs she realized that there were very few, if any, programs that addressed the cause of violence among our youth and not just the symptoms. So for the next two years she worked closely with the teachers in the public high school, as well as the friends of the girls who were murdered, developing The C.O.U.R.S.E.

How can we foster individuality and inspire our youth to make the best choices for themselves and those around them?

Students at all levels shut down to the possibilities of learning.

With increasing frequency, parent and student complaints are heard about lack of motivation and non-involvement in learning, and about student disinterest with what occurs during school hours.

Absentee rates are climbing dramatically. Disciplinary and drug problems continue to be sources of concern. Beyond that, incidents of teenage violence in and out of school, as reported in the media, are ever increasing. What is the answer? How can we foster individuality and inspire our youth to make the best choices for themselves and those around them?

One of the most important factors, and often overlooked key, to successful living is feeling a genuine sense of positive self empowerment. It is the primary element in making appropriate decisions, as well as in building strong character. Only this allows one to lead a happy and fulfilling life. Having a whole and contented relationship with oneself will always be the most important factor leading to success. This alone will increase a students’ involvement and cultivate peak performance. Studies have shown that children who feel better about their abilities, and who expect to do well, perform better in school. Therefore, building self-esteem should not be a secondary, luxury option in school programs, but an integral part of student motivation and learning.

Opening students up to their creativity, interests and talents automatically brings excitement and energy back into the learning process, as well as increased self-esteem and optimism into their lives.