Last night during bedtime stories, SIERRA WOKE ME UP AGAIN!

It went something like this . . . "Mom, will you tell us a story?" "Well, since it's New Years Eve, how about doing something different tonight. It's a tradition that I've been doing for years now. Let's get rid of one thing that we want to say goodbye to. One thing that we see ourselves doing that we really don't like, like hitting our sister, or yelling at our brother or being impatient. . . And then lets envision replacing 'it' with something different. Something that we would like to see ourselves doing. Something much brighter, much happier, much more fun, relaxing and loving."

I began by proceeding to tell the children something that I resolve to change within myself for the new year. Sierra looked at me with her beautiful awake eyes and said, "Mom, I like myself just the way I am. I don't want to change anything about myself."

Suddenly, the image of any hierarchy in that laid in that bed vanished! The image of me wanting to shed some awareness onto my children with my silly little tradition *poof* The idea that I have any bit of wisdom that they don't have, that I have so much to teach them. The concept that I know more, am more wise *poof*poof*poof*

Ahhhh yes! What incredibly sweet words from my very wise young teacher! "Thank you Sierra, for your wisdom. "I like myself just the way I am. Yes, sometimes I forget how perfect we all are." (in our own silly little imperfections.) Acceptance at it's best at such a young perfect little unfettered age. When in the world does this change? When do the stories start kicking in? The stories of not being good enough, of needing things to be different. The stories of needing to be better, to change, to do this or that, to be anything other than what and who we are.

And so, with that short simple bedtime story, one more story was put to rest. The story that I need to be something different than I am. One more TRADITION / CONDITION was thrown out at bedtime. Imagine a world where we can accept each other just a little more, accept ourselves just a little more and be a little more forgiving each day. . .

So tonight when your telling your bedtime stories, put another story to rest as well, those silly little stories we tell ourselves in our mind each day that keep us from being who we really are.

$1,000 and counting

Sierra has raised $1,000 so far in support of Gracious, who lives in Zambia, Africa. HELP SUPPORT SIERRA by sponsoring her to speak at a local school in your area! Spread the word... little hands- big hearts, a generation of children helping children.

Sierra will give a short presentation, consisting of photos of a child's life in Africa (school, play and life) and will then ask the children to help her in supporting 8 year old Gracious. The children will participate in a project (beading) that will later be sold to support Gracious. ALL money goes to Gracious in Zambia, Africa.

SUPPORT SIERRA TODAY.

An Eight Year-Old School Teacher?

Eight year-old Sierra is teaching at school! Or, should we say, schools. Sierra is getting an exciting opportunity to inspire other children at schools by attending classes as a guest speaker and reaches out to her fellow peers to help raise awareness for children around the world, many who live such a vastly different lifestyle than most children in America. Sierra speaks about her new vision to raise money for 8 year-old Gracious, who lives half way around the world in Zambia, Africa.

"Does anyone know where Zambia is?" she proudly asks the kindergarten class of 15 children circled around her. She speaks about life in Zambia from the perspective of an 8 year-old girl, talks about their small mud and grass roofed houses, the food they might eat, and their limited water supply and the toys they play with. "These children in Africa live very different lives than we do here. They don't have running water like you and I do. They don't turn on lights at nighttime. They have very different houses, different toys, not much money and different food. But there is one thing that they have that is just the same as us. They have an intuition."

The children sit in suspense, embracing each word that she shares. "Who would like to help me raise money for Gracious?" Sierra asks the eager children. All hands go up! She provides beads for the children to make a variety of items, which she then sells at local markets, art fairs and any other venue that will allow her presence. All of the money generated for these handmade items is then sent to Gracious, to support her family of 6 children helping children!

Her younger brother Canyon is on the sidelines taking photos of his big sister.

It is an honor to be their mother. I feel so grateful to share their love with the world. What an awesome journey this allows.

Sierra is enjoying visiting new schools to see inside those mysterious classroom walls . . . and as much as she loves being with the children, sharing her wisdom, learning, snacking and playing with them at recess, most of all she embraces the fact that she has a choice to come home before the bell rings . . . After all, Sierra has a lot to do!

Hello World!

My name is Sierra. I'm an 8 year old girl from California, USA helping a 9 year old girl in Zambia, Africa live out the life of her dreams. Please join me in helping make a change today.

"I am thankful for everything in this world, even the bad. Because even the bad has a purpose." Sierra August, 2009