Learning to LOVE School

Thank you for reading this post from Simply Creative Works! We are delighted to share this story written by Kimberly Johnson for, My School Rocks, an educational magazine.  ENJOY!

"I flipped through last year’s notebook and looked at the “C” circled at the top of my paper. I slammed the notebook shut as I felt my stomach start to churn. It was almost that time again – SCHOOL. I dreaded the idea of starting another school year. A “D” in math, a “C” in science and a “D” in reading; I felt like such a failure. My mom tried to keep me encouraged, but I didn’t feel like this year was going to be any different. I had a learning disability and I hated it. My mom told me it was dyslexia. Dys-lex-ia, Dys-lex-ia, I repeated the word over and over in my head. This dyslexia made me HATE school!  Reading was the worst!  I could say the words in my head and everything was great, I could talk to other people and everything was great but when I opened my mouth to read words aloud, the class started giggling. Somehow the letters would get scrambled in my head."

To read the full story, click HERE!  The AMAZING pictures were created by digital illustrator, Zoe Ranucci. 

Teach the History

Simply Creatives Works is delighted that you chose to read our blog! 

Kimberly released her 16th book earlier this year entitled "No Fear for Freedom: The Story of The Friendship Nine".  Her first non-fiction book  is  one for all ages! It's a great read for smaller children because of the easy-to-follow poem that depicts the story of the courageous civil rights activists. It is also wonderful for older children , young adults and adults because of the detailed, research-based accounts of history written in the margins of each page. 

There isn't much that's more inspiring during the summer than to read about some of the great icons who helped our country gain equality. Though we have a ways to go, we can take pride in knowing that we are moving toward teaching ourselves and our children how to appreciate what others have done! Reading their stories, learning about the history and reflecting on the present, reminds us to never be judgmental. Despite race, age, income level or background, let us always remember that people are people - and all should be treated equally. More importantly, let us pass on this lesson to our children. 

The unwillingness to listen can make discrimination last, 

but learning about history can open up the past. 

Though the Friendship 9 wanted success, 

they were not afraid to fail; 

even when those struggles landed them in jail!

Read More about No Fear for Freedom HERE!

Order your copy of No Fear for Freedom TODAY! 

Wow! Talk About Cloud 9!

Okay, what an amazing week I had!! I spent all of this week at the Bernice King N.O.W. camp. This amazing camp was all about Kingian Philosophy and nonviolence training. We had classes all day and took a road trip to Birmingham and Montgomery. We visited the 16^th street church, where the four little girls lost their lives in the Civil Rights Movement bombing of the church. Kelly Ingram Park, the site of the civil rights rallies and the notorious park where blacks were sprayed with fire hoses. We saw the Birmingham Civil Rights Museum, The Southern Poverty Law Center –  “The Southern Poverty Law Center monitors hate groups and extremists throughout the United States and exposes their activities to law enforcement agencies, the media and the public.” They have shut down some of the country’s most notorious hate groups by suing them for murders and other violent acts committed by their members.

We even got a chance to meet and talk with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s barber and he was amazing.  We visited the room where MLK, Jr. strategized about the Montgomery bus boycott (Rosa Parks). This camp was about what we can do in our lives and in the world to keep the wonderful legacy of Dr. King alive and continue to break the cycle of violence. Dr. Bernice was a wonderful hostess and made the event even more powerful with her narrations. I think I have truly been changed. She gives so much of herself and she is committed to helping others reach their own levels of success – NOW that is a servant leader.

               WELL, if that wasn’t enough, I got back home and on Friday night, Jeff and I went to see the husband and wife team of Debbie Allen/Norman Nixon and their production of, “Brothers of the Knight”  A-MAZING!! The music and the choreography were some of the best I have seen. After the show, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Nixon and signing a copy of my children’s book, “No Fear For Freedom: The Story of the Friendship 9” for his family. His wife, Debbie Allen has relatives from Chester, S.C.     SO, it has been a busy and crazy and long and FANTASTIC week-end so- far. God is doing amazing things in my life and I am so grateful!!!

Have a great Sunday and a fantastic week!

-Kim

Escape the DRAMA!!

Thank you for checking our this week's Weekly Wind-Down brought to you by Simply Creative Works!

In this short post, you'll read from the Founder of Simply Creative Works, Kimberly P. Johnson.

Johnson reminds us how we can Escape the DRAMA!

"Drama is one of those things we have some control over. We can absolutely decide how much of it we will accept. The actions we make can help determine the direction of our day. 

We say we hate drama, that we’re tired of drama that we NEED less drama – yet, we sit back and watch it creep into our lives and literally ruin our day. From a negative comment to a bad attitude, we often hand over the power of our day to someone else!! 

Would you hand your car keys to someone who was blindfolded? Of course not, so why are we going to hand our day over to someone who doesn’t even know or understand our lives? This weekend, decide to get back into the driver’s seat! Remind yourself that though you may not be able to control everything around you, you can control how you react to those things. You need to REALLY strive to let each day be Drama Free."

How do you take steps to reduce stress and live drama-free? Comment below or share your tips on our Facebook page!

That's all for this week's Weekly Wind-Down. Join us again next time!

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