This video has a carpe diem message – seize the day. The message that most people are broken by the time they’re 25 has a bit of truth in it. But there is a cure — don’t believe the haters and critics. Believe in your dream. Believe in your heart. Seize the day.
The guy who’s speaking, Richard Williams, is an American rapper and activist. You might know him by his stage name Prince Ea. But he started a Make Smart Cool movement and his messages of inspiring youth goes well with this blog.
The moral of this story is: Do You. Be You. Step into your greatness. I believe in you too.
Honest Abe knew that being honest gave him power and strength of character
Honest Abe knew that being honest gave him power and strength of characterEvery act of honesty will give you strength. It takes discipline and character to be honest but the rewards are great.
Sometimes we see people get away with cheating, lying to their parents, or stealing. But these acts wear on a person’s soul and they are ultimately caught and exposed. Honesty is always the best thing to be.
Here are some words that are similar to honest: Upstanding, incorruptible, moral, principled, truth-loving, steadfast, true, real, right, good, straight-shooting, genuine. Who wouldn’t want to be like that? Although it’s not always easy, try to be honest every day.
Two tasks for you to practice being honest today:
* The next time a parent or teacher asks you what you’re doing, please tell the whole story and don’t leave out information that is meant to mislead or deceive.
When you’re playing a game, there are many things you can’t control. But you can always control your attitude. Apollos Hester has some advice about keeping a great winning attitude during a tough game.
“You can do anything you put your mind to. Never give up on your dreams. Keep smiling. If you fall down. Just get up. There will be people to help you get up. Your friends and family will help you.”
Remember to keep a great attitude today when things don’t go your way.
Kindness is ContagiousTake time to say hi to the most lonely person you know. Write a thank-you note to someone who has helped you, like a friend or coach. Buy a snack in the lunch line and give it to somebody who looks like they could use it. Giving to others is really a gift to yourself. Nobody really knows why that’s true, but the irony is that helping others can make you feel wonderful.
Here are some simple things you can do today:
* Hold the door open for someone
* Give someone a compliment
* Call a family member you don’t see often
* Smile at someone
This week we will work on confidence. This is important because if you win this battle within yourself, you’ll be able to conquer in the world at large. Confidence does not come from your parents or your teachers or coach. Everything starts with you and what you do. So this is where we start.
Looking at the cat in the mirrorWhat is insecurity?
I’m sure there are times when you’re worried about what your peers think. I know you sometimes feel inferior because it happens to all of us. And sometimes you act arrogant just to hide your lack of confidence. And when you get jealous, angry or insecure because somebody beats you at something, this also a sign self doubt. These are symptoms of insecurity.
What is confidence?
If you would stand up for yourself and resist the pressures that your friends put on you — that is self-confidence. When you’re not overly concerned about being popular at school, this is a sign of self-worth. When you see your life as a positive, fun and exciting experience — this helps you have courage and determination. Trust yourself and go for your goals. At the same time, be happy for the successes of others. These are signs of confidence.
Here are some things we will do this week:
* Be gentle with yourself
* do small acts of kindness
* Keep the promises you make with yourself
* Be honest
* Tap into your talents.
Be Gentle with Yourself Today
Today, lets just focus on being gentle with yourself. This means not expecting yourself to be perfect. There are things you learned early and things you still need to learn. When your peers seem better than you, that’s okay. Everyone learns things at their own pace. It means laughing at yourself when you make mistakes. It means forgiving yourself when you make a mistake. Just learn from the mistake and move on. So learn to love yourself today, try your hardest but forgive yourself for not being perfect all the time.
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change.
“MAN IN THE MIRROR” BY SIEDAH GARRETT AND GLEN BALLARD
