IF

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

-Rudyard Kipling

Walk the Talk

Commitment – Honesty – Accountability – Respect – Courage – Ethics & Integrity
Words -- Good Words -- Important Words
But they are nothing more than words unless we actually live by them.
Our Greatest Challenge?
To behave according to our beliefs.
To do the right thing, to practice what we preach,
To…Walk the Talk!

What does it take?

Commitment – Fight the temptation to compromise your values and beliefs. It will make you stronger!

Honesty – Build a reputation as someone who tells the truth. It will serve you well!

Accountability – Hold yourself to high standards and continually evaluate the image you see in the mirror. It will build your character!

Respect – Treat others with dignity and make sure your behaviors are respectful. It will make you a person of quality!

Courage – Follow your conscience instead of, “following the crowd.” It will make you heroic!

Ethics and Integrity – Choose rightness over ease and convenience. It will give you pride and…peace!

“I think we all have a little voice inside us that will guide us…if we shut out all the noise and clutter from our lives and listen to that voice. It will tell us what to do.” -- Christopher Reeve

Believe that walking the talk matters…because it does!
Believe that you can make all the difference…because you can!
You have a choice…start each day with a commitment to do what is right.
Remember…with every sunrise, come new opportunities.
Today you have a clean slate upon which to record your life…and your legacy.
Seek courage to do the right thing.
Decide that this will be a day in which you…

Walk the Talk!

The Cross Room

The young man was at the end of his rope.
Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer.
"Lord, I can't go on," he said.
"I have too heavy a cross to bear."
The Lord replied,
"My son, if you can't bear it's weight,
just place your cross inside this room.
Then open another door and pick any cross you wish."
The man was filled with relief.
"Thank you, Lord,"
he sighed, and did as he was told.
As he looked around the room he saw many different crosses;
some so large the tops were not visible.
Then he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall.
"I'd like that one, Lord,"
he whispered. And the Lord replied,
"My son, that's the cross you brought in."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When life problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see what others are having to endure. Then you may see for yourself that you are more fortunate than you realized.

THE EASY AND THE HARD

We all have the same question: Why is life so tough? Well, there’s an answer to that…

By Beverly Heirich

When my husband and I were raising our five children, we taught them everything we knew. Now we know that wasn’t much. If we could do it over, here are some crucial facts about human nature that I would start teaching them before they were old enough to brush their teeth without help.

Bad is easy. Good is hard.
Losing is easy. Winning is hard.
Talking is easy. Listening is hard.
Watching TV is easy. Reading is hard
Giving Advice is easy. Taking advice is hard.
Flab is easy. Muscle is hard.
Stop is easy. Go is hard.
Dirty is easy. Clean is hard.
Take is easy. Give is hard.
Dream is easy. Think is hard.
Lying is easy. Truth is hard.
Sleeping is easy. Waking is hard
Talking about God is easy. Praying to God is hard.
Watching basketball is easy. Playing basketball is hard.
Holding a grudge is easy. Forgiving is hard.
Telling a secret is easy. Keeping a secret is hard.
Play is easy. Work is hard.
Falling is easy. Getting up is hard.
Spending is easy. Saving is hard.
Eating is easy. Dieting is hard.
Doubt is easy. Faith is hard.
Laughter is easy. Tears are hard.
Criticizing is easy. Taking criticism is hard.
Letting go is easy. Hanging on is hard.
Secret sin is easy. Confession is hard.
Pride is easy. Humility is hard.
Excusing oneself is easy. Excusing others is hard.
Borrowing is easy. Paying back is hard.
Sex is easy. Love is hard.
Argument is easy. Negotiation is hard.
Naughty is easy. Nice is hard.
Going along is easy. Walking alone is hard.
Dumb is easy. Smart is hard.
Cowardice is easy. Bravery is hard.
Messy is easy. Neat is hard.
Poor is easy. Rich is hard.
War is easy. Peace is hard.
Sarcasm is easy. Sincerity is hard.
An F is easy. An A is hard.
Growing weeds is easy. Growing flowers is hard.
Reaction is easy. Action is hard.
Can’t do is easy. Can do is hard.
Feasting is easy. Fasting is hard.
Following is easy. Leading is hard.
Having friends is easy. Being a friend is hard.
Dying is easy. Living is hard.

If you ask why all this is so, why is life so hard, I’ll you, “It just is. Nothing in life that is good and worthwhile comes without effort.” We are born, all of us, with a nature hat is drawn to the easy rather than the hard. Surely you’ve noticed that no child ever has to be taught to be naughty; we’re all born knowing how. It’s easy for us. What’s hard is learning to be good. Knowing this about one self and others softens the heart and builds iron into the will, keeps us going when all around is crumbling, when friends forsake, when the heart breaks, and the courage and confidence shatter. Knowing that such experiences are part of the deal gives us opportunities to choose to do hard things. Constant challenges make our journey exhilarating, wonderfully fulfilling, never, never boring. As the Arabs, put it, “All sunshine makes a desert.” And here’s a small secret that most sad and lonely people never learn: Deep down inside we are all asking the same question. No matter who you are, life is hard, and we all ask why is should be so. But there is comfort in knowing we’re not alone. So maybe your child---- or the person sitting over there----needs to hear from you right this minute that sometimes you question, too, but that the One who knows us best and loves us most promises hat for those who choose the hard way, “the dawn gives way to morning splendor while the evil grope and stumble in the dark.” Easy is its own reward. Hard is much finer.

101 WAYS TO COPE WITH STRESS

Get up fifteen minutes earlier – Prepare for the morning the night before-
Avoid relying on chemical aids – Set appointments ahead – Don’t rely on
your memory…write it down – Practice preventative maintenance - Make
duplicate keys – Say ‘no’ more often – Set priorities in your life – Avoid
negative people – Use time wisely – Simplify meal times – Always make
copies of important papers – Anticipate your needs – Repair anything that
doesn’t work properly – Ask for help with jobs you dislike – Break large
tasks into bite size portions – Look at problems as challenges – Look at
challenges differently – Unclutter your life – Smile – Be prepared for rain
- Tickle a baby – Pet a friendly dog/cat – Don’t know all the answers - Look
for the silver lining –Say something nice to someone – Teach a kid to fly a
kite – Walk in the rain – Schedule play time into every day – Take a bubble
bath – Be aware of the decisions you make – Believe in you – Stop saying
negative things to yourself – Visualize yourself winning – Develop your
sense of humor – Stop thinking tomorrow will be a better day – Have goals
for yourself – Dance a jig – Say ‘hello’ to a stranger – Ask a friend for a hug
- Look up at the stars – Practice breathing slowly – Learn to whistle a tune -
Read a poem – Listen to a symphony – Watch a ballet – Read a story curled
up in bed – Do a brand new thing – Stop a bad habit –Buy yourself a flower
- Take stock of your achievements – Find support from others- Ask someone
to be your ‘vent-partner’ – Do it today – Work at being cheerful and
optimistic – Put safety first – Do everything in moderation – Pay attention
to your appearance – Strive for excellence NOT perfection – Stretch your
limits a little each day – Look at a work of art – Hum a jingle – Maintain
your weight – Plant a tree – Feed the birds – Practice grace under pressure
- Stand up and stretch – Always have a plan ‘B’ – Learn a new doodle -
Memorize a joke – Be responsible for your feelings – Learn to meet your own
needs – Become a better listener – Know your limitations and let others know
them too – Tell someone to have a good day in pig latin – Throw a paper
airplane – Exercise every day – Learn the words to a new song – Get to work
early – Clean out one closet – Play patty cake with a toddler – Go on a picnic
- Take a different route to work – Leave work early (with permission) – Put
air freshener in your car – Watch a movie and eat popcorn – Write a note to
a far away friend – Go to a ball game and scream – Cook a meal and eat it by
candlelight – Recognize the importance of unconditional love – Remember
that stress is an attitude – Keep a journal – Practice a monster smile –
Remember you always have options – Have a support network of people,
place and things. Quit trying to ‘fix’ other people – Get enough sleep – Talk
less and listen more – Freely praise other people – PS. Relax, take each day
at a time…you have the rest of your life to live.

The Magic of a Note

Condensed By Dwight Wendell Koppes

“To indicate to another human being that ‘I noticed, I care’ --- in writing--- can bring incomparable rewards.”

The letter came on one of those overcast, slushy March mornings. My bursitic hip was heralding untimely decrepitude, and the shaving mirror had confirmed my general feeling of the blahs. Self- pity had moved into stay for the day---- or would have, except for the letter. It was from a man I had never met: the father of our teen-age son’s best friend.

“Confined to a wheelchair as I am,” the note said, “I can’t share much of young Bob’s life. He lolls me about the things he does with you and your son, what a good sort you are, how lively and young-looking. I am very grateful that he has the friendship of you and your son. Thank you!”

“Keen and young-looking, eh?” My mirror had lied, obviously. The day’s writing developed a definite lilt, and when the boys came home from school I made it a point to shoot a few extra baskets with them, the quiescent bursitis.

Then I drove Bob home, and met his father. We took to each other at once.

A few weeks later, Bob Senior died. After the memorial service, I pondered things that no ordinary day would admit---and quietly the revelation came: If this man, an invalid whose days were numbered, could reach out and touch me, a stranger, and make my gray day brighter, and me more attentive to the interests and needs of others, then surely any man can do the same for someone.

I thanked my departed friend for his example, and went to my study, glowing with what I thought I had discovered. This revelation, I told myself, could become my own “magnificent obsession.” And I would waste no time. I tried to think of someone to whom to send a note of thanks and encouragement and decided on the mechanic who had recently repaired my wife’s car. Soon my typewriter was clattering away.

The next time I visited the garage, I thought the mechanic gave me a peculiar look. Later, my wife said casually that she had given the garage man a piece of her mind for his exorbitant bill, and told him she’d never patronize him again!

What had gone wrong? I went back to my friend’s note, and the circumstances surrounding it. His had been an honest emotion, simply expressed. My note to the mechanic had been calculated, forced and somewhat insincere. Maybe, too, I shouldn’t have written. Wouldn’t a warmspoken word do just as well?

The acid test came soon. A friend named Fred did a beautiful job running our club’s ladies’ night. Afterward, we all told him so. But I had had my turn at the job, and knew how much time and thought it took--- so I put that into a note and thanked Fred, even though the theme by this time seemed outworn.

Not so; emphatically not so. At the next luncheon, Fred put his arm on my shoulder. “Thanks, pal,” he murmured. “Thanks!”

No big thing--- just a little note saying something like, “You did a great job. We owe you a lot. Thanks.” But because I had taken the trouble to put it in writing, it had meant more to both of us.

From time to time, we employ a Mexican gardener whose work I haven’t always been happy with. But, awhile back, I noticed that he had painstakingly replaced and reinforced some foundation plantings that our dogs had knocked over, and had glued together a Mexican urn that had been lying abandoned at a back corner of our house, I wrote him a thank you note.

The next time Ernesto came, he said nothing about the note---until I paid him at the end of the day and he took out a worn wallet to deposit his money. My letter, much the worse for handling and folding, was there in the center clip of the wallet.

“My boy esplain for me,” he said, beaming. “He read for me, many times. Muchas gracias--- I keep!”

That day, he had done his best work since we hired him. Because, observe: he was a fine gardener, and he had a letter to prove it! Now all of us who use his services get better and happier work--- and to myself I seem a thoughtful employer. Two enhanced self-images, two better people---all because of a brief note.

This little miracle happened again last June. A member of our school board had charge of the outdoor commencement exercises. Just as the program began, the loudspeakers conked out, even though they had been carefully tested an hour earlier. Nobody could hear the ceremonies, and some mean things were aid about it. I wrote this school board member a note: “I know how hard you worked on the arrangements---and how much you have done to help our schools. Thank you for that--- and forget the other; it was no fault of yours. We need you.”

His wife came to see us soon afterward. “Several friends spoke to Jim to encourage him,” she said. “But he paid little attention and was all set to resign---until your letter came. Now he’s staying on board.”

He did, and subsequently was elected president. In a way, my little note had done that. What if I hadn’t written it?

And a funny thing: the unexpected note that says, “I noticed, I care,” can never fall fallow, can never be appreciated. This is especially true of those who are unaccustomed to public notice, to applause as a routine thing; the gas station attendant who does extra innings for your car; the school crossing grandfather who guards the children’s safety with such care and good humor; the librarian who goes all out to help you read that special book; he newspaper boy who puts the morning paper just where you like. Which of these would not be charmed and cheered---and confirmed in his good work---by your “thank you” in writing?

The time has come now when my wife can sense a note-prompting happening, and she smiles at me knowingly. She even suggests a note now and then. But she wasn’t prepared to become a recipient.

It occurred to me recently that I ever reach into my dresser drawer without finding clean shirts and socks; that I rarely eat anything she hasn’t selected and cooked; that she never fails to counter my dark moods with humor and devotion. For the first time, I put my appreciation in writing, and actually mailed it. Then, quickly, I wished I hadn’t. How corny can you get?

I needn’t have worried. When the tears of happiness with which she greeted me at the end of the day had been dried, when she had marveled again about “a letter from you when you weren’t even out of town, and the sweet things you said,” we both felt so good that we decided to go out for dinner, see a show and make an event of it.

There it was again, a little bit of magic!

The Magic Letter

By Roger Dean Kiser

Once again, I had run away and really do not know why. I would walk out the gate to go to school and then keep walking, and walking, and walking. I had just turned eleven-years-old the week before. It was almost dark; I was tired, scared, cold, and all alone. I had not eaten all day and was afraid to turn myself into the police. I knew I would receive another beating once I returned to the Children's Home Society in Jacksonville, Florida. There was nothing for me to do, except keep on walking. As darkness fell, I made my way over to the city park located on Park Street. I entered the darkened area and sat down on one of the wooden benches hoping to avoid the police cars. It was cold and I began to shiver uncontrollably. All was quiet except for the passing cars in the distance.

"Well, hello young man." A voice came from behind me. I jumped, almost falling off the park bench. My heart was beating ninety miles per hour, and I could feel it thumping in the side of my neck. I gasp and I could hardly catch my breath. I looked up and saw a woman standing behind me in the shadows.

"You look cold," she said.

"I'm cold. I'm real, real cold." I continued to shiver.

"Here wrap this around you."

I watched as she took off her shawl and wrapped it around my shoulders.

"But ain't you gonna be cold now?"

"I'll be ok."

"Is there anything else you need?” she questioned.

"I sure could use some food."

"Follow me," she said.

I walked with her about twenty feet, then she stopped under one of the park streetlights.

She held out her hand and said, "Here, you take this letter and give it to the store owner."

I looked at her outstretched arm but saw nothing in her hand. "There's nothing in
your hand," I told her.

"Roger, reach out and take the letter from my hand," she replied.

Slowly I reached out, acting as though I was taking something from her hand.

"Now close your thumb and finger and hold the paper tightly," she instructed.

I closed my thumb and finger as though I were grasping the letter.

"Take it to any store owner."

"What do I say to them?"

"Nothing," she replied.

"But what store do I go to?"

"It doesn't matter," she said, as she smiled.

I turned and began walking toward Five Points. Several blocks down the road, I came to a store with a woman sitting behind a counter. I opened the door, walked in, and stopped directly in front of her.

"Can I help you?" asked the woman.

I was hesitant to talk and had no idea what I should say. Very slowly I held out my hand toward her. I watched her face to see if she might think I was crazy or something.

"Is that for me?" she asked.

"Yes Ma'am.” I looked down at the floor.

She reached out and as her hand touched mine, I opened my tightly closed fingers and stood there waiting. She pulled back, smiled, and looked down at her hands.

She immediately turned and walked to the back of the store. I began to inch toward the front door for fear she might be calling the police. Just as I made it to the front door, I stopped as I heard someone call my name. I turned around and saw the woman holding a paper plate.

"Roger, here is something for you to eat."

"How did you know my name?" I asked her.

"It was on the paper."

"But there wasn't no paper. I didn't see no paper," I told her.

She smiled and motioned for me to eat by twirling her finger in front of her mouth. Within two or three minutes, I had downed the entire plate of food and several coca colas.

"Are you full?" she asked.

"Yes Ma'am."

"Then it's time for you to go."

I turned to leave when I felt her hand on my shoulder.

"Here, your paper. You almost forgot your letter," she said, holding out her hand.

Again seeing nothing, I held out my hand and closed my thumb and finger as though I were taking something from her. Tightly grasping nothing more than air, I walked out into the street and headed back to the park. When I arrived, the old woman was sitting on the park bench. "Did you eat?" she asked.

"Yes Ma’am, and I had two coca colas too."

"Good."

"How do you do that magic?" I asked her.

"It’s not magic."

"But how does everyone know my name?"

"It is written in the letter."

"Can I have the letter so I can be magic too?" I asked.

She reached out, took my hand, and opened my tightly closed fingers. Whatever was being held between my fingers, she took and placed into her apron pocket. "Would you help someone if they were hungry?" she asked me.

"Yes Ma'am.

"Would you help someone if they were hurt, cold or scared?"

"Yes Ma'am. I would be their friend."

"Roger, you are a very lucky little boy. You will never need the magic letter," she responded.

She stood up, kissed me on the forehead, removed the shawl from my shoulders, and began walking down the sidewalk. I watched as she disappeared into the darkness.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

Written by a former child

A message every adult should read, because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'

Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher or friend) influences the life of a child. How will you touch the life of someone today?

Don Meyer Evening of Excellence Video

4 QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. WHY?
a. When “why” gets powerful, the “how” gets easy.
b. Why=Reasons

2. WHY NOT?
a. What else do you have to do?
b. Why not see all you can see, do all you can do?
c. Why not engage in as many things as you can?

3. WHY NOT ME?
a. If ____ can do it, anyone can.
b. Change. Set up some simple daily disciplines.
c. Take full responsibility.
d. Don’t settle for less.

4. ASK FOR GOD’S HELP