A Tough Path
Recognizing where we can find strength
by Helen Bryant (revised, originally published in 2012)
Suitable for Whole School (Sec)
Aims
To consider how we can find help and support during tough times.
Preparation and materials
- Have available the poem ‘Footprints’ and the means to display it during the assembly. A version is available at: https://tinyurl.com/35zwp4ck
- You may wish to pre-arrange for a student to read the poem.
- Optional: you may wish to use some reflective music during the ‘Time for reflection’ part of the assembly. An example is available at: https://youtu.be/RnRZ_DXipgo (over 3 hours long)
Assembly
- There are times when things can become hard to bear, and it feels like everything is getting on top of us. Everyone is asking too much of us and we get to the point where we just can’t take any more. It could be that we are tired and have lots of work to do, or it could be that our reasons for feeling this way might be more serious. Whatever it is, there are times when things get a little too much for all of us.
- I wonder what we do when life gets like that. Do we feel stressed, snapping at everyone around us? Do we retreat into ourselves, not talking, hoping that it will all go away? Do we react by being overly nice, happy or jolly, putting on a front that says ‘I’m fine’ to the outside world, but inside we are really falling to pieces? We might not react in any of those ways, or we might react in a mixture of different ways. Maybe we turn up our music really loud and sing at the top of our voices!
- Often, people who follow a religion claim that it helps them to pray to God to give them the strength that they need at times like these. Now, not everyone here follows a religion or has faith in God, but I wonder if these religions might have something that we could use or look to during difficult times.
- Let’s start with Buddhism. Buddhists believe in the Three Jewels:
- the Buddha himself
- the Dhamma, the key teachings of the Buddha
- the Sangha, the community of Buddhist monks and nuns
Buddhists seek refuge in these three key aspects of their religion. - Think of three really important things or people you can go to for guidance, help and assurance. A friend told me that her three jewels would be a pillow, a duvet and some cake. Can you think of something that you can cling to and take refuge in when things get hard for you?
- In Christianity, some Christians see the Holy Spirit as a helper or ‘paraclete’, which is a word from Greek that means ‘someone who walks alongside’. They see the Holy Spirit as someone who walks by our side and helps us along the way. This helper cannot be seen, but Christians believe that this unseen force of God is at work in the world and within them, guiding them through the trials and tribulations that they may face.
- Show the poem ‘Footprints’ and read it, or ask a student to do so.
This poem explores how the Holy Spirit is close to people who are experiencing a tough time.
Time for reflection
As you read the poem again, ask the students to close their eyes and imagine the scene that is described.
Even if we don’t believe in God or the Holy Spirit, the idea that there is someone out there who can take our burdens and help us is a great comfort. That help might not necessarily come in a form that we expect or even want at first, but let’s look for people who are there to help and support us during tough times.
Remind the students of the people who are available in school to help them if they are struggling in any way.
Song/music
Some peaceful and reflective music is available at: https://youtu.be/RnRZ_DXipgo (over 3 hours long)
