Tag: school

ASTRID MAKES CHANGES

Hey, Scary!

Today I finally want to thank you for the inspiration you have been for me during the last years. I saw you first on the French-German-TV-Channel quite some time ago – and to be honest I was impressed, but forgot your message too soon. Nevertheless every now and then it came back to me, when my job at a University in Germany as a research assistant became too much for me, because some students were aggressive and offending me. I wasn’t so sure if I really liked the compliment “Among your enemies you’re having a good name”, because I never wanted to be hated or give others the impression that I despised them. But obviously somehow it went that way.

One night I when I was really desperate and couldn’t sleep because of all the anger I felt, I was watching your videos on youtube and when I listened again to you telling about that offending ad in the newspaper that made you reflect your life and your attitude that was the point when I finally wanted to turn around my direction as well, because I realized it was wrong. So I quit my job and in September this year I am leaving for Canada for several months, for a complete re-start, for doing something I love, for learning more about myself and to change my attitude to myself and to other people. Because for a long time I took up all the negative energy my boss, my students, colleagues and so on gave to me and I kept it inside – and in the end it made me seriously sick. At that point I remembered you and your message I heard a couple of years ago and that was the night I sat in front of the computer for several hours, watching your youtube-videos and I said to myself “Yes, that’s the right way. You have to create love to replace hate”.

Just wanted to tell you about having this impact on me and on my life. You are an amazing and precious man, thank you for sharing your message! I love you. Facebook says you already have too many friends (can anyone have too many friends?), so you can’t ad me – but I hope you get this message.

Best wishes and a big hug from Germany!

Astrid

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A LETTER FROM AMANDA PRICE

Dear Scary Guy,
My name is Amanda and I work for a program called Upward Bound, which is a college prep program for high school students. Upward Bound includes about sixty-five high school students and about twelve adults.
I’m not sure if you are aware of the goings on in Oklahoma, but two months ago, an 11-year-old boy named Ty Smalley took his own life because he was bullied so much at school. Mark Brennaman has been working with the Smalley family since the loss of their son. He came and spoke to the program yesterday afternoon where he showed us a video of you on Youtube.com. I was fascinated to say the least. I was inspired, as were many of the students. After we watched your video, one of the students suggested that we take on the “Seven Day; Seven Night Challenge.” We started this morning at 7 a.m. and so far the students have embraced the Challenge incredibly.
At Upward Bound, we have started our own program called Stand For The Silent. The students have organized this entire thing on their own. They came up with pledge cards to stop bullying in schools. There is a driver who busses students to the program who coined a phrase for us. “I Am Somebody.” The students decided that when you pledge and get a pledge card, you would also get a bracelet that says “I Am Somebody.” and on the back of the bracelet would be the initials of the boy, Ty Smalley.
You have been such an inspiration to our effort and I just wanted to tell you that the work you have been doing for the past seven years is absolutely incredible. I want to thank you for your message. I know this program, and myself, has greatly benefitted in just one day.

Truly yours,
Amanda Price

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JAKE TELLS HIS STORY

Hey Scary it’s Jake,

😀 When you were in England quite a few years back now you came to a school in a small town, King Edward VI Humanities College in Spilsby. I just want to say that to be honest, since then I’ve taken on what you said and I’ve become a much better person. Your words have inspired me no end and of course I was a little scared of hugging you that day but of course all of what you do, the Scary intro is all an act, from what i have seen of you on YouTube and the videos on your site,

I understand that it’s all an act so you want them to misjudge you, so that when you tell them who you really are inside, you’re one of the nicest, warmest and hard working people i know. You are an inspiration to me and us all and i hope that one day in the future of humanity, that all the children, parents, teachers, all those you’ve talked to would use what you’ve taught them and become better people.

I would like to ask if you have a personal Email address? If so then please may I add you? I’d love to know you better, I’d wager that you have some fantastic stories to tell from all over the world. Or maybe if you’re in the area next time we could meet up somewhere and have a good chat and a coffee 😛

If you can, please get back to me, I’d really like to talk to you again Scary, I help allot of people out with their problems so it would be good to talk to someone that could help me and give me some guidance with my decision making on helping them. If you don’t have the time it’s OK, it’s perfectly understandable 🙂

Anyway, I’ll let you get back to reading your Emails 😀 I hope everything’s going OK and I’d love to catch up sometime soon.

Lots of love,
Jake Harrington

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THE SCARY GUY IN SWEDEN

Scary on hate and bias
Publ: 05 maj 2010 18:54 Uppdaterad Unt.se » Uppsala

The Scary Guy spoke in Gottsunda church for students in Gottsunda School.

He stands before the altar in Gottsunda church, with a face as colourful as that of the great Jesus Christ in the painting behind him; tattooed from head to toe; a face full of piercings; and with the school’s 300 Gottsunda students total attention turned to him.

Actually, he speaks of the obvious. “Look who is Inside that body!” he urges the audience. Well … that one should not judge someone based on looks, sexuality, profession or religion we do know. But with his Scary name and Scary appearance, his message is rather a surprise. But, as he soberly notes; “nobody would be interested to go and listen to The Loving Guy?”

Gottsunda school can boast: “This is the first time that The Scary Guy has appeared for Swedish pupils. The lecture is most akin to a show, as he makes students a part of it by bringing them up on stage and by going out among them to collect hugs.”

UTE.SE NEWS

“Researchers have actually found that we humans need an average of sixteen hugs a day!?” says Scary, and he took the opportunity to hug the two policemen from Gottsunda, who were also sat in the audience.
And the Gottsunda Students loved him. They laughed, asked questions, and hugged him back.

“At first, I thought … Oh my god, what does he look like!? But I quickly forgot my thoughts. It feels to me like I’m going to see people a little differently now. He said things that really got one thinking,” said the ninth grade teacher Linnea Lejman after the lecture, when students started to immediately flock around The Scary Guy to get his autograph and a photo with him.

Eighth grader, Ludwig von Feilitzen, looked at the autograph he had just received, noting that it was the “best lecture” he had ever been to; “He looks like the worst motorcycle biker, but really proves that you should not judge someone by appearances. I have joined his facebook group!”

Behind him Rasmus Johansson gave his seventh grade English teacher a hug, reaching five of Scary’s 16 hugs a day challenge. He said happily; “Hugs make you better friends. There are some fights and bullying in Gottsunda here, so the lecture was really good.”

It occurred to me, that when you see the students’ enthusiasm … The Scary Guy seems to be something of a modern Jesus. Not that it is religion that he preaches. It is not. And it is a coincidence that we happen to find ourselves in a church. But he succeeds in getting a message of love across … without anyone raising their eyes to the heavens or falling asleep by just being there. He is exciting because he is not the one we thought he would be!

But, as The Scary Guy would say; “Who is, really?”

Story By: Elin Sandow elin.sandow@unt.se
Photography By: Rolf Hamilton

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RACHEL’S LIFE

Hey Scary,

I guess the only way to start this message is- I miss you.
Ever since your visit in October, my life has been completely changed,
your words are now my life and I try my hardest to use them as a
survival guide, I have been bullied all my life, but now it is finally
ending.

I have managed to find someone who loves me for who I am and he is
amazing, the bullies are getting bored of me not reacting how I used
to, and my life is altogether so much better.
So I’d like to thank you scary, for everything, you have changed my
life and helped me through my pain.

Rachel xxxxx
=======
DEAR RACHEL,

I WROTE THIS QUOTE TODAY.

YOU SEE, MY LIFE IS A SERIES OF WORDS AND ACTIONS THAT ARE HAPPENING
IN THE MOMENT. AND I DO NOT HAVE ALL OF THE ANSWERS. I JUST AM.
SO WHEN I SIT DOWN AND JUST RELAX . . . TAKE A BREATH . . .
THE MAGIC ALWAYS HAPPENS.

HERE IS WHAT CAME FROM THE TIPS OF MY FINGERS THIS MORNING.
AND REMEMBER, I DID NOT KNOW I WOULD RECEIVE YOUR BEAUTIFUL
HEARTFELT LETTER TONIGHT.

RACHEL, THIS IS IN YOUR HONOUR . . .

“May the power of your love radiate with every breath you
take and every sight you see. And you are witness to the
Blessing of all people and the essence of their love.”
-The Scary Guy 2010

RACHEL, I GUESS THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO END THIS MESSAGE,
I MISS YOU TOO.

LOVE TO YOU RACHEL.
SCARY
LIFE IS A JOURNEY. ENJOY THE RIDE!

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FROM DEB IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

We had an awesome presenter on Thursday – Scary Guy .  He is a dynamic presenter and the kids were very impressed.  I don’t think I’ve ever been a gym full of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders (450ish) who sat in shocked, even horrified silence as they viewed the opening powerpoint.  When Scary Guy actually entered the gym you could have heard a pin drop.  Scary Guy is tattooed over 85% of his body, was dressed in what looked like biker leather and sported a bleached blonde short mohawk and beard, and numerous facial piercings.  His message?   If you want world peace, it starts with you!  We need to love each other and understand each other.  You control  your mind and actions. 

He challenged the kids (and us) to go 7 days and 7 nights without calling someone a name other than their own.  If you slip up (and you will), go face to face to that person and apologize.  He preached a terrific sermon – as close to church as you can go in a public school– from a truly universal point of view.  It’s the golden rule – treat others as you would wish to be treated.  It takes a lot to impress me when it comes to assembly presentations. 

This was terrific!  I’m glad I made it back to school for this.  It didn’t hurt that his whole school presentation lasted an hour and a half, and then our 6th graders got another 90 minutes with him in a training session.  He told the kids that if you receive negative energy (someone calls you a bad name, verbally assaults you, etc.) you have a choice.  You can accept that negative energy which gets stored inside you, creating stress, and when your “stress tank” is full, you will pass on that negative energy) OR you can reject the negative energy, refuse to “own” the bad name, and walk away, realizing that the bad energy belongs to the sender, and not to you.  The kids were told that when you accept the negative energy somebody else controls you. 

The other big piece that impressed the kids was that he asked the audience to raise their hands if they had ever called somebody a rotten name.  Every hand went up.  Then he asked how many people had been called a bad name.  Every hand went up.  Finally he asked if they had every hit somebody, (including a brother or sister, “cause they’re human too”)  Again, everyone raised their hand.  Scary Guy then told us that we were all bullies, all victims, and therefore all participants in the vicious cycle of violence. 

I didn’t expect this to turn into a Scary Guy posting, but he was amazing.

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STEPHANIE TELLS HER STORY

Dear Scary,

About a decade ago, the PTA council I belonged to was in the middle of a heated debate.
Should we bring this “scary guy” in to help with the new zero tolerance push from the school district.
My son was about eight at the time, and school was not going well for him.
He was always the kid at the end of the zero tolerance inquisition.
So I really wasn’t keen about another guy coming in and telling me what was wrong with my son.

Some fliers were passed around about the message this guy had, and I quickly realized
the discussion was about how he appeared not the message. I was interested to hear what
this guy had to say. So my vote was to bring Scary Guy to our elementary school.
Our world was harsh surroundings for my son, nothing he could do was right in the eyes
of the principal, staff, or kids. But the message of love and acceptance kept us hanging
on this pasts decade.

The school district my son was at nearly drove him to desperation, recommended medication,
and finally just threw him away. But the words and beliefs of the Scary Guy lingered.
Through a miracle of sorts, our paths crossed with Scary in 2007.

My son was just going through the motions trying to pull himself back together after the
abuse from the kids and teachers. Scary spoke with him at length in one on one sessions,
and out on road tours for charitable organizations. His words helped strengthen my whole family.
His lovely writer, Cathryn provides a inspirational muse to the troubled soul.

We are happy to report Calvin is in college, and faced with an upcoming transplant.
Sadly, he still gets harassed in person and on FaceBook, with threats and negative comments.
But with someone like Scary in his life, nothing can hold him back from success.

Love you,
Stephanie

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JACOB WAKES UP AND MAKES CHANGES

Dear Scary Guy,

You may not remember me but I was a troubled student from the Albion High School, you visited our school and made me an example of anger because of my broken hand caused from punching a wall.

At firs, I was embarrassed and naturally filled with anger.

Although since then, I have followed your advice and I have come out of a very dark point in my life.

I was going to fail my exams and end up in a dead end job but thanks to your techniques for harbouring my emotions, I have become disciplined and have started to attend college.

My social life has also improved as some of you techniques helped me with people skills. My family has also started to accept me as an actual person now whereas before I was seen as the dark horse of the family.

Please keep doing what you’re doing because if you change just one more person’s life like you have mine, you will do a hell of a lot!

Words can’t describe how thankful I am towards you.
You Rock !!!
Jacob Yates

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XAVIAR’S LIFE HAS CHANGED

Hey Scary,

This is Xaviar, and how my life has been changed through your message.

In my past I was in a group where we made fun of people we did not like, and we gave people names that we thought described the person, and what we thought were funny, including athletes.

Then when I was in eighth grade. You came to my school, and your message changed my life completely around. I left the group I was hanging out with, and I started hanging out with other people, and calling people their actual name, and even became friends with the athletes, and even went out for sports.

I graduated from Wray high school in 2008, and I am currently attending Northwest Nazarene University located in Nampa, ID.
                                                                                                                           Friend,
                                                                                                                  Xaviar Surls

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