Whimsy in the air dances freely when another is empowered to pass on love and possibility and endless dreams. It becomes even more real when that passed whimsy is unexpected, when the voice is louder then one ever thought possible, when the power comes from a tiny being with blonde hair and glasses who struggles to read maybe a bit, but has latched on to the words you have spoken from that first day of summer school. Ready to lead. Ready to love. 

Students channel into the cafeteria greeted by warm and friendly faces eager to eat breakfast and laugh and talk with one another in the mornings of July. And together, before we head off to that first class of the day, we say a chant together and that chant begins with the following words: 

We are Fox Chapel Scholars

Ready to Soar

We want to reach for the stars

Lift off and Learn More

A long time ago when I worked for an organization as a teacher in a classroom leading by myself for the first time ever, we always sang out a series of chants and there was always a favorite chant that began the day that would empower the students and get them to reaffirm who they are as people, in the classroom but more importantly in the world. And chants do that. It's poetic. And it's something about a bunch of voices ringing in unison that creates such a strong bond of excitement and unity and purpose. 

Well today, instead of leading chant, I passed it off to another student. He probably comes up to my hip in height but when he opened those lungs to sing out that chant, it was as if every person from around the world could hear his roar and his positivity and his purpose and his love and his want to be his very best. The smiles I saw on the teachers faces were just inexplainable. It was one of those small moments in life that just took everyone's breath away. That one tiny ripple in our morning routine just rippled out and beyond the classroom the entire day. I would like to think that from across the world, every child heard his words. I would like to think that he sparked empowerment and confidence in that teacher who maybe had a difficult morning or someone far away who was in need of new message of love and courage. 

If you have a chant, sing it loud for all to hear. Dare to move the mountains.