Filled with "Glee"

Have you watched the new TV show "Glee" yet? We finally got around to watching the latest episode that we had recorded on our DVR and I must admit that the show never ceases to leave me feeling good. While there are a number of offbeat storylines playing out in the background, the basic premise of the show is about a small town high school glee club, mentored by a teacher (who was once a member of the same high school's glee club when he attended the same high school years earlier), trying to help save the group from budget cuts by helping them place in "Nationals".

There are a number of things that I love about this show. One is that it shows a teacher who is willing to go the extra mile to help a group of kids achieve their dreams -and he's basically doing it on his own time, chipping in his own money to help with the extras, and trying hard to keep it "about the kids."

I also love these kids... an amazing mixture of lifestyles, backgrounds, social sets - and all with a passion for singing that transcends their lots or stations in life and ultimately teaches them that doing what they love is what will help them find their true happiness.

But I think what I love most is that hopefully this show will reach the eyes and ears of people across the country and show them that performing arts programs are still do-able in schools... and perhaps even out of schools. Funding cuts have done away with many school programs in increasingly higher numbers down thru the years. My kids were all fortunate enough to be able to take part in band and orchestra as they wished, but I can tell you from personal experience that the support from the community was definitely geared away from performing arts and funneled into sports programs. Now, unfortunately, even the sports programs are hurting.

And we wonder why so many kids today are turning to drugs, or crime, or sex, or any of the multitude of activities that they would be better off without... they're all easy-access. I'm a believer that kids who are involved - be it in a school band, or drama club, or sports team, or debate club, or whatever - have an outlet for their energy, learn valuable skills in teamwork and leadership, and in general are much more ready to take on life... but it needs to be easy access. And that means, that as parents and grandparents and community members, it's up to us to give them that access.

When I was in grade school, our local park district ran a drama club. It was staffed by parents who were volunteers, and the park district simply gave us an empty auditorium with a stage to practice in. Everything was donated or came from the funds raised by the small admission costs to the plays. It kept us busy, taught us confidence (well, some of us...lol) and beat the heck out of sitting at home alone.

I wonder how many of you take an active interest in childrens' activities. Even those of you who have full, active family lives surely have room for one of the neighborhood kids to join in your fun.

If you're out of work, do you sit in front of the tv or on the phone bemoaning your lot in life - or do you make use of that time to make a child's life better? Gather the neighborhood kids - teach them the basics of a sport, or take them on a literal "field" trip to a nearby park to find some bugs or birds and teach them about them. Gather the nieces and nephews and encourage them to put on a talent show for the rest of the family at your next family get-together. Show them the sense of accomplishment that comes with cleaning up a littered neighborhood (take before and after pictures to prove the point!) Volunteer at the school. Ask the local principal if there are any students that could use help in your area of expertise. Know a craft? Teach it to a child or group of children. None of these by themselves is a huge endeavor, but to a child who must make a choice between boredom and an activity, the opportunity for a positive activity can have a profound effect on their future.

And in the process, you'll find yourself changing. The world will seem a little more hopeful. The kids you come in contact with will look up to you and you'll know you're making a difference... and they'll know that there are people in the world who really care about what matters to them. You'll all be part of a team - a wonderful team that really can change the world!