So Touched by Rachel Scott!

"I won't be labeled as average" was written on the back of Rachel's last journal. There is rip underneath that writing from the bullet that killed her. Rachel Joy Scott was killed on April 20, 1999. If you recognize that date, it was the date of the Columbine shooting. She was the first to be killed. Her inspiration came from Anne Frank, who died at the age of 15 in a concentration camp during Hitler's reign. Anne and Rachel both have so much in common. They both died young. They both kept journals. They both changed the world. They both died under the influence of Hitler. Rachel's shooters studied and idolized Hitler. They chose April 20th, Hitler's birthday, as the day to attack Columbine. Rachel lived her life to the fullest. Each day she made it her goal to make sure no one was left alone, there was no sad face, and no one was treated badly. She befriended many people. She had a beautiful soul. She told her family and friends that she knew she would die young. They couldn't believe what they were hearing. She knew she was going to die young. She wrote in her 6 journals about her story and challenges to people. She drew her hands on the back of her dresser and wrote "These hands belong to Rachel Joy Scott and will someday touch millions of people's hearts." She didn't hope they would, she knew they would. She made it her goal to leave a legacy. A challenge for everyone to carry out. Rachel said, "I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion then it will start a chain reaction." She didn't know how much of a chain reaction she had started. She strongly believed that in showing kindness and compassion, it will start a chain reaction and make the world a better place. "You never know how far a little kindness will go." That quote rings so true. Being kind to someone has a lifetime reaction. It can change someone's life. Rachel has saved many lives. Many people were about to give up on themselves and their life because they couldn't find hope. Until they heard about Rachel. Then they found hope and grabbed it and lived her challenge. Sometimes we don't think our acts of kindness does anything, but we may not see the results but the other person feels it. Rachel's story has five big points to it. 1. Treat others the way you want to be treated. 2. Dream big and believe in yourself. 3. Appreciate everyone and mock no one. 4. Power of positive gossip. 5. Forgive and be forgiven.

The last entry in her journal was a drawing of a pair of eyes crying. She drew 13 distinct tears and a rose that was bleeding. The tears were falling on the rose. She drew this right before she was shot. Her father got a phone call from a man miles away saying he kept having the same dream over and over and wondered if it meant anything to him. Her father was curious and asked about the dream. The man described it saying that he saw a young girls eyes crying and the tears running down were giving life to the ground and there was a flower growing. The father didn't understand what it meant until the police gave him back his daughter's backpack from the shooting. He saw the last entry in her journal and it matched the man's description. 13 people died at Columbine. 13 tears were drawn by Rachel, who was the first to die. She didn't know that that day was going to be her last.

It has been 12 years and have touched millions of lives and continue to touch people's hearts. Her family, her friends, share her story and others like it around the world. They challenge everyone to accept Rachel's challenge.
1. Eliminate Prejudice- look for the best in others.
2. Dare to Dream- Set goals and keep a journal
3. Choose positive influences- input determines output.
4. Kind words- little acts of kindness
5. START A CHAIN REACTION.
So many actors and famous people have opened their arms to her and her family. We can have an impact on people and the world not only in the big things we do but also in the small things. The little things are what people hold on to the most. A smile. A hello. A "hope you are having a great day". Something that makes that person feel accepted and that they aren't alone. Many people have tried to challenge themselves. Many schools have made paper chains that are miles long. They see an act of kindness and write it on a piece of paper and link them together. The longest one (that I heard) was over 6 miles long and still growing. That is a lot of kindness being passed around.
From one of the greatest tragedies, came a great hope. Rachel Joy Scott left a legacy for all to follow and
make their own legacy. We wouldn't know what kind of a girl she was if she didn't leave her journals.Will you accept her challenge? Will you start a chain reaction? Show a simple act of kindness, see how much it grows. See the ripple effect from your actions.

I have been touched personally by her story. My goal everyday is to give a hug to at least one person a day, and no my mother does not count. I try to smile and make those around me smile. I make sure that I acknowledge and say hi to those around me. I do not want to leave anyone out. I accept her challenge and I pray that her legacy will touch more people's hearts. God is working wonders through her. He has saved many lives and will continue to do so, but He needs us to help show her story and His love. Will you help?