Five People You Meet in Heaven + Human Impact

From the author of "Tuesdays with Morrie," this is a story about the last thoughts of your life and what comes afterward.  But it's not a story about death.  It's a story about appreciating life, and living life to the fullest while enhancing the lives of those around you.  After all, you never know what kind of ripple effect your actions may have...

Have you ever considered the impact that you make on those around you?  Most people think about the life they want to build for themselves, but by creating a better life for those around you, you are actually building a legacy of living and a better world.  

A celebrity example of this is Stephen Hawking, who had an incredible handicap, but he didn't let this stop him.  He worked tirelessly to impart his knowledge and make a difference in the world.  People from all walks of life have the choice to do this everyday.  Even you!  You can share your gifts with the world - whether it be through an influencer's wide reach or just your corner.  This can be through simple acts of kindness or by sharing your talents to enrich other people's lives.

Maybe you don't know what your talents are or what you are passionate about.  Look for common themes in the books you read, movies you watch, art and topics you are drawn toward, and even the things you purchase -- you will find some common threads that show your passion.  Or maybe you've overcome something difficult in your life -- this is a place where you could share your knowledge and insight with others who are facing the same challenges.  

Remember, you don't have to be an influencer to reach out.  It doesn't matter how many people you help, but how you help people.  Leaving a lasting, positive imprint on one person is more impactful than glancing over millions.  Also, change doesn't happen overnight, so do not be discouraged.  Small changes can have a big impact, and positively influencing one person's life is a great achievement and something of which to be profoundly proud.

Here are a few ways you can impact others, as a teen, within your community:

• Help fundraise for a local cause.  You can help with publicizing, social media, physically helping out during the event, or being on the clean up crew.
• Pick up the trash.  Again, it's the little things that add up to a big difference.  Picking up a few pieces of trash everyday will help with the environment and keeping the community cleaner.
• Remember the forgotten.  Pop into a nursing home or hospital and spend some time bringing cheer to the sick and elderly.  Listen to their stories, sing songs, and offer up smiles.
• Get dirty.  Community gardens provide food for neighborhoods and sometimes the needy as well.  The flowers and plants create a beautiful space, but these need hands for weeding and tending.
• Give it away.  Go through clothing, books, toys, and belongings, and clear out those things you no longer use.  If they still have plenty of life in them, donate to another family to love.
• Write on the walls.  This one will require a permit, or at least permission.  Create a mural that depicts a historic moment in your town, a beautiful abstract, or other work of art that will bring joy to passers-by.

Our spine read for this unit is The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Access the full unit in the Advanced High School Literature bundle!

Includes six unit studies covering a variety of topics presented in more mature literature selections.

• Each unit has introductory text, which will give the student basic background information about the topic at hand.
• There are photographs and illustrations, and we have also included primary documents when available.
• After this text, there are featured videos, which augment the background information and help make the topic more accessible for more visual students.
• You will also find a short list of reading books, including a featured novel that the unit builds upon.
• There are vocabulary words, places, and people to identify.
• Reading comprehension, critical thinking questions, and writing assignments are included.
• We add fun with hands-on activities and extra videos to watch that will bring the era to life.

Our family has used unit studies as curriculum for many years, and we hope that your family will enjoy these, too!

 

Product sample: The Things They Carried & the Vietnam War

Units include:

· Oliver Twist & the Industrial Revolution

· Things Fall Apart & the Colonization of Africa

· The Chosen & the Zionist Movement

· Five People You Meet in Heaven & Human Impact

· The Things they Carried & the Vietnam War

· Crime and Punishment & Free Will vs Determinism