Maximize The Moment: Volume 1, Issue 3

Now it's time to MAXIMize the Moment!

On my way from Geometry to Western Civ., I always pass by Kat's locker. We only have a couple of minutes to catch up but she somehow manages to fill me in on all the latest gossip: horrible break-ups, who's been cheating on who, secret crushes, everything. Kat has a way to fitting all the important news into the few minutes of pass period between classes.

Today is no exception.

"Hi, Kat. What's up?"

"Oh, Amy! I guess you haven't heard yet. After you left the party on Saturday night, Lindsey hooked up with David. Can you believe that she would do that to Tim?! After they've been together for the last six months!" Kat is in rare form today. News this bad does not come by very often and Kat makes the most of it when she can.

After saying goodbye to Kat, I rush into Mrs. Gibson's class, hoping that I'll have time to pass the news along to my best friend, Ashleigh.

"Hey, Ashleigh, did you hear about Lindsey and David? Looks like Kat may get her chance with Tim after all."

"Yeah, Amy. I heard. I'm not sure if I believe it or not, but Kat sure enjoyed telling me about it. Poor Tim. He must be really upset."

"That's true, Ashleigh, but it's better Tim found out sooner rather than later that Lindsey is such a…" As the words are coming out of my mouth, I suddenly see Tim out of the corner of my eye. And I realize what I've just done. He's already hurt about what Lindsey has done to him. Now I've succeeded in making him embarrassed as well. Not only is he sad—he also has to put up with being talked about all day.

Throughout the rest of Mrs. Gibson's class, I have trouble focusing. I just can't forget the look on Tim's face. I would give anything to take back what I said, to be able to think of myself as someone who helped Tim, rather than as someone who added to his pain.

On my way out of class, I run into Kat again. She's eager to give me the latest update in the Tim and Lindsey saga.

"So, Amy," Kat says with glee, "do you want to know what I heard Lindsey and David talking about during English?"

I'm ready to say yes. I really am curious. And Lindsey isn't my favorite person—especially after what she just did to Tim.

But then, Tim passes by me in the hall and I can't help but remember the sad look on his face. Suddenly, I think of a quote my grandfather used to say when I was little and my brothers and I were teasing each other. "Amy," he'd say, "A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword." I always used to think he was just talking about teasing or making fun of people. But now I know that truths that don't need to be repeated can be just as damaging. I can't forget the mental picture of Tim, who is normally so confident and cool, looking like a wounded child. Lindsey may have hurt him first, but my words drove the knife in deeper. Truly, "a blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword."

I choose to pass on Kat's latest bit of news and try to walk faster. Maybe I can catch up with Tim and apologize. I'm sure it won't make up for what I've done, but it's a start.

From now on, whenever someone offers me the chance to gossip, I hope I remember today. Then I won't have to be in doubt. I've already figured it out. I can MAXIMize the Moment. I know now that "A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword."

This week's maxim is "A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword."

Teacher Information

Maxim

• "A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword."
  Robert Burton

Featured character trait

• Empathy — I am able to see the world through others' eyes and feel what they are feeling.

Character points (for substitution if this week's trait isn't one of your school's core values)

• Concern for others — I care about others and want them to be happy.
• Caring — I recognize that my actions affect others and I try to do what is best for them.
• Compassion — I am willing to enter into the suffering of others and I try to ease their pain.
• Decency — I behave in a way that is consistent with the values of my community and its ideals.
• Love — I strive to do what is best for others because I care deeply about them.

Discussion starters

• What is "gossip?" [relating information or opinions about another person that you would not if he or she were present]
• Is it gossiping every time that you talk about someone who is not part of the conversation?
• Does the information have to be untrue to be gossip?
• Does the information have to be untrue for it to be hurtful to others?
• How do you feel about yourself when someone catches you gossiping about them?
• How do you think that other person feels?
• Would you want to be friends with someone who had a reputation for being a gossip?
• Do you think you are more or less likely earn friends by being trustworthy or being a renowned source of information about others (a major gossip)?
• What are some reasons that people find it hard not to gossip? How can you overcome them?

A new tip from MAXIMize

• Teachers, these also work well as writing prompts for essays and journal entries.