10 Lies You Will Hear Before You Pursue Your Dreams

Unfortunately, just before you take your first step on the righteous journey to pursue your dreams, people around you, even the ones who deeply care for you, will give you awful advice.  It’s not because they have evil intentions.  It’s because they don’t understand the big picture – what your dreams, passions, and life goals mean to you.  They don’t understand that, to you, the reward is worth the risk.

So they try to protect you by shielding you from the possibility of failure, which, in effect, also shields you from the possibility of making your dreams a reality.

As our friend Steve Jobs says:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.  Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.  Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice, heart and intuition.  They somehow already know what you truly want to become.  Everything else is secondary.”

Here are 10 ill-advised tips (lies) people will likely tell you when you decide to pursue your dreams, and why they are dreadfully mistaken.

1.            You can follow your dreams someday, but right now you need to buckle down and be responsible. – Someday?  When is ‘someday?’  Someday is not a day at all.  It’s a foggy generalization of a time that will likely never come.  Today is the only day guaranteed to you.  Today is the only day you can begin to make a difference in your life.  And pursuing your dreams is what life is all about.  So don’t be irresponsible.  Don’t wait until ‘someday.’  Make today the first day of the rest of your new life.

2.            You’re totally screwed if it doesn’t work out. – Wrong!  This is a giant, lame load of BS.  You’re not even close to being screwed.  In fact, the worst case scenario is that things don’t work out and you have to go back to doing exactly what you are doing right now.

3.            It’s safer to stay at your day job. – Sure, I suppose.  But you know what’s even safer than that?  Going home, locking yourself in your bedroom, and never, ever coming out.  And just like that you will have flushed your entire life and your dreams down the toilet.  Remember, safer doesn’t always mean better.

4.            That’s impossible! – It’s only impossible if you never do anything about it.  The reason certain things seem impossible is simply because nobody has achieved them yet.  But this doesn’t mean that with your help these things won’t become possible in the future.  If you truly dedicate yourself to an end result, almost anything is possible.  You just have to want it bad enough.

5.            Only a lucky few “make it.” – That’s because those lucky few got off their rear ends and did something about it!  They had the drive, determination, and willpower that you have right now.  You can be one of them.  It’s up to you, and only you.

6.            You might fail.  And failing is bad. – Failures are simply stepping stones to success.  No matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should be.  Either you succeed or you learn something.  Win-Win.  The biggest mistake you can make is doing nothing because you’re too scared to make a mistake.  If you can’t handle failure, then you can’t handle success either.

7.            You don’t have access to the right resources. – It’s not about having the right resources; it’s about exploiting the resources you do have access to.  Stevie Wonder couldn’t see, so he exploited his sense of hearing into a passion for music, and he now has 25 Grammy Awards to prove it.  Get it?

8.            You need more money saved before you can take the first step. – You don’t need more money.  You need a plan.  You need a budget.  Eliminate ALL the nonessential costs in your life.  If pursuing your dream requires you to leave your day job, figure out the absolute minimum amount of income that you require to realistically live.  Studying those who have succeeded with similar ventures also helps.  But above all, take baby steps.  Don’t be foolish and assume that you must have a certain amount of money saved right now, or that you must quit your day job today in order to pursue your dreams.  Instead, ask yourself, “What actions can I take right now with the money and resources I have right now that will bring me closer to desired goal?”

9.            You don’t need any help.  It’s smarter to go after it alone. – You are the sum of the people you spend the most time with.  If you hang with the wrong people, they will negatively affect you.  But if you hang with the right people, you will be far more capable and powerful than you ever could have been alone.  Find your tribe and work together to make a difference in all of your lives.

10.          That sounds like a lot of hard work. – You’re darn right it does!  But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it.  I think success in life hinges on one key point: Finding hard work you love doing.  As long as you remain true to yourself and follow your own interests, values and dreams, you can find success through passion.  Perhaps most importantly, you won’t wake up a few years from now working in a career field you despise, wondering “How the heck am I going to do this for the next 30 years?”  So if you catch yourself working hard and loving every minute of it, don’t stop.  You’re on to something big.  Because hard work ain’t hard when you concentrate on your passions and dreams.

Disregard these misguided bits of nonsense and you’ll be well on your way to fulfilling your dreams.

Now get out there and make a splash!

(COURTESY: http://www.marcandangel.com)

Feeling inspired today..

I get very excited about the possibilities, and where life will take me and where others can go with their life also. It is a dream come true for me that I am actually able to have the opportunity to help others realize that the sayings are true, nothing is impossible. If you can dream it, you can achieve it. People need to give themselves a better chance at achieving what they really long for. All they need to do is believe it can happen.

What did you want to be when you were younger? I always fantasized of moving to the US and being a doctor or doing something really big with my life. Being able to help the world. Make a difference. But I grew up in a small country town and it just seemed like it was only meant for ‘the lucky ones’ or the people who were already rich. This isn’t actually true. Success in any area, of any industry, comes down to your imagination and your willingness to believe that you can actually make it happen. It’s start with you, why you want to do it, believing it can happen and then making it happen. These are simple questions I have asked myself previously, How do you feel today about where you are, where do you want to be? Where would you prefer to be? Who do you want to be spending time with at this very moment? What would you prefer to be doing today if what you are doing is not your ideal day? What is your family doing? Are they going about their days in their ideal way? If they weren't, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to change that for them if it was possible? Well, it is.

I am not exactly where I want to be right now, but I’m taking steps each day towards bigger goals than what’s happening in the present. It is important to still enjoy the present, but if nothing changes in your day to day life, nothing will change in the future. In 5 years time, do you want to be where you are now? Do you think you will have made progress?

Courtesy: http://kate-martin.tumblr.com/

Institutions, Power, and the Ego

An institution’s sole existence is power. All functions of an institution aim at providing more power to the adhering individuals. Institutions serve no other purpose. While the benefits might seem obvious the disadvantages of institutions are not. One clear and apparent result of the information age is true power created by the lack of structure and institution.

Old institutions warp your mind. it plagues one with the perception of comfort and stability. Time tested results with statistically proven methods. An institution can take the creative mind and lock it to an eternity of structure and repetition.  Yet there are always new methods being developed by those who play outside the boundaries of institution. More efficient methods that do not adhere to the previously proven laws. The natural transfer of power and evolution of thought. The structure of nature.

The ego repels the natural progression of change. Change implies lack of control, uncertainty, doubt, and fear. One must ask: fear of what?! The irrational extent in which the ego will manipulate situations in order to keep power is worrisome at best. Distressful. In the face of a truly superior model turn cheek and return to the safety of certainty. Risk is solely for those worthy of reward. Institutions will fall.

To truly unlock the potential of human development and ability we must remove our institution and rely on a more concrete idea: constant change.

A quote from Circles by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

There are no fixtures in nature. The universe is fluid and volatile. Permanence is but a word of degrees. Our globe seen by God is a transparent law, not a mass of facts. The law dissolves the fact and holds it fluid. Our culture is the predominance of an idea which draws after it this train of cities and institutions. Let us rise into another idea: they will disappear. The Greek sculpture is all melted away, as if it had been statues of ice; here and there a solitary figure or fragment remaining, as we see flecks and scraps of snow left in cold dells and mountain clefts, in June and July. For the genius that created it creates now somewhat else. The Greek letters last a little longer, but are already passing under the same sentence, and tumbling into the inevitable pit which the creation of new thought opens for all that is old. The new continents are built out of the ruins of an old planet; the new races fed out of the decomposition of the foregoing. New arts destroy the old. See the investment of capital in aqueducts made useless by hydraulics; fortifications, by gunpowder; roads and canals, by railways; sails, by steam; steam by electricity.

 Courtesyhttp://omnivorousego.tumblr.com/

Five Things You Love about You

I’m borrowing this idea from Downtown Dharma, because it’s an excellent exercise in self-love.

Could you list five things you love about yourself?

I’ll go first.

   1. I serve and love the Lord

   2. I can draw and paint.

   3. I care so much about people and will help them if I can.

   4. Good listener, very kind hearted and loving ^_^

   5. I find myself funny, and love to make others laugh, and cheer them up.

What I found surprising is the lull that I experienced between points #4 and #5. Seriously, it took all weekend to write this blog. I’d like to think I have pretty decent self-esteem, but even I fumbled at complimenting myself.

You’d think it would be easy to be nice to yourself, but self-criticism and judgment just comes more naturally to some. It takes nothing to look at the negative, but the positive is always ducking behind a tree.

Remember a moment in your life when you look in the mirror and go: “I’m good enough. I’m smart enough and cute and pretty/handsome, people like me? It was funny and cheesy… but it was kinda on to something.

When’s the last time you said something nice about yourself out loud? If it’s been a while (or maybe never), you’re long overdue.

You can’t wait for people to notice the good things about you. You have to recognize and celebrate them for yourself. I mean, after all, if you don’t like you, who else will? Loving oneself is the healthiest thing a person could do, you must love yourself first and have confidence in yourself. Then relationships, friendships being great at your job, at school will be an easy process.

One of my mother’s many words of advice is: “Speak positive things about yourself everyday.” So go for it. Don’t be shy; toot your own horn. List five things you love about yourself and post it below.

Try.

I am often asked what motivated me to accomplish these things at my age. My answer is simple. I was willing to try.

With Mangyan family at Quinomay, 2008

I'm a regular teenager when I started caring for the kids in my community. I started out with free Saturday lessons (academics, acting, dance and arts) and Sunday school teaching. When I was in college I decided to launch a feeding and health program for young children in my community. I initially involved about 50 kinder students in the feeding program and another 30 kids for healthy teeth campaign. Some of these kids don't have their own toothbrushes because of poverty and family economic conditions.  In nursing school, we are taught to be responsible for our own community, be an advocate of health and welfare especially for those people in need and to educate people about health issues, improve community health and safety, and increase access to care. Today, more than 350 students are part of this program every 3 months. I can’t contain the happiness every time I see the joy and heartfelt smiles of these kids; it’s fulfilling and motivating - priceless. I’m excited to do it again and again! I’m really happy seeing them growing and learning. In accomplishing this, I wouldn't consider myself gifted with a big heart, special, or anything else. I'm just someone who thinks "I can." Sometimes that it all it takes.

Art lessons with my cousins and siblings, 2007

With Mangyan kids, 2008

With kids, 2009

I have done health lectures and art workshops for children in the community and the greatest passion I've heard have come from them. Sometimes those great ideas never take flight because the kids who came up with them are looking at all the reasons that they can't make it happen instead of all the reasons they can! Thinking that you "can" will soon turn into believing that you really "can."

And once you believe it - it will begin to happen for you. There are always emotional, physical and financial resources which are available for the people who want to do something great for their communities. Volunteers and mentors are out there who share your dream and are willing to step up and help. They are just looking for someone with a vision and age, often, has nothing to do with brilliance, courage, and wisdom... Everyone can dare to be the person they truly are by living their dream if they are just willing to try!

Gift giving, 2010

Anti-Dengue Drive, 2010

                                      

                    Feeding Program, 2011

I know as kids we say "when I grow up I want to be..." I'm here to say, START NOW! You don't have to wait until you grow up to make a valuable difference in this world. And isn't that what we all want to do? Make the world a better place? I believe with all my heart that we design our own futures. We have God who has all the power to make things happen for ourselves. Some worry that someone won't "let" them do what they want to do. Do your own research, show people why you can.

Health Drive, 2011

Healthy Teeth Campaign, 2012

My mentors and supporters, my elementary teachers

You probably heard the old saying "keep your eye on the prize." That saying works for me. I believe what the end result is that I really want, and in God’s perfect time, I believe it can happen. That has brought me results of happiness every time. Don't wait to be asked. Be the person who acts. You know you have it in you. As I said before, all it takes to make a difference in your personal life, your family, community, your country and your world is to be the person who is willing to try. After that, everything else falls into place.

These kids surprised me with their birthday cards, greetings and artworks.

Two of my 'alaga'.

Feeding Program 2012

You don't need approval or permission from anyone but yourself to step up and make a difference. If you really believe in yourself, and your abilities, others will too. Your faith, passion and belief in yourself will bring the resources and support you need to make it happen. Tomorrow's world is yours so today, this moment, whatever you do for yourself and the community will be a great expansion. There are lot of young men and women all around the globe performing brilliant things to make this world a better place to live in; you can be one of them.

Kids lining up for Veggie Soup and Cereal Milk.

With Ma'am Mecca, distributing school supplies.

My favorite kid - during Healthy teeth lectures.

Keep Hope Alive kids after feeding program.

You are good enough just as you are.

During your life, you will encounter people who will try to convince you to be dissatisfied and unhappy with yourself. 

These people will try to tell you your hair is wrong, 

your weight is wrong,  your height is wrong,

your color is wrong, your diet is wrong, 

your clothes are wrong, 

your high school and college courses are wrong, 

your religion is wrong, your job skills are wrong, 

your job itself is wrong, your career choice is wrong, 

your house is wrong, your kitchen is wrong, 

your cooking is wrong,  you yourself are wrong. 

The right thing to do is to observe yourself, and see for yourself the things that are right: 

you were good to someone, you learned something new, 

you taught yourself a skill, you completed another year of school, 

you grew taller, you learned to drive a car, 

you helped a neighbor, you repaired something, 

you painted a room, you successfully cooked something new, 

you straightened up the back yard, you served on a jury, 

you volunteered, 

and otherwise you progressed today — some of these things will not literally happen today, but they will happen, because you are good enough just as you are.

— Unknown

Wherever you are right now, and whatever you’re doing, stop for just a moment. 

Take a second and tell yourself “I love you.” It doesn’t really matter how much you believe it right now, in time you will come to see the truth in it. 

Then, allow yourself a short dance break and laugh as loud as you can. 

Your body can’t tell the difference between when you pretend to laugh and when the laughter becomes real. 

So laugh a lot. You’re body will thank you. 

Take this short time for yourself. You deserve it. You’re alive and beautiful. Celebrate.

Everyone is beautiful. Don't let anyone make you feel ugly, and never make anyone else feel it.

Miracles!

Woman, 21, who was told she was infertile after battling cancer TWICE has 'miracle' baby 

Madeleine battled Hodgkin's Lymphoma twice in 18 months 

Has miracle baby with partner she met during chemotherapy

      A young cancer victim told she was infertile after having more than 300 hours of chemotherapy is finally enjoying motherhood after the birth of her "miracle" baby.

Madeleine Telfer, 21, lost two-and-a-half stone in weight after battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma TWICE in 18 months.

     She was devastated when doctors warned her that the constant chemotherapy had probably left her infertile and she would never have children.  But less than a year later she was stunned to discover she had fallen pregnant with partner Stephen Batey, 27, who she met during her treatment.

      Madeleine Telfer with her partner Stephen Datey and her miracle baby boy Harris who was born on November 27, 2011

      Now the couple are celebrating the birth of their "miracle" baby Harris, who is two months old.

    Madeleine, who is now trying for her second child, said: 'All I ever wanted was a family. It's something I've dreamed of since I was a wee girl.

    'And when the doctors told me I would be infertile I was distraught.

    'Of course, losing your fertility is a small price to pay to save your life, but I was devastated.

    'When I found out I was expecting Harris, I don't think I've ever been so happy.'

   Three sisters take drastic step of having their breasts AND wombs removed to avoid hereditary cancer death sentence that killed their mother at just 32

     In August 2008 Madeleine was a normal teenager studying child care when she began to feel ill.

    Her glands swelled up and she lost two and a half stone in just a few weeks.

  Her worried parents Robin, 52, and Careen, 49, took their daughter to Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock, Scotland, where a biopsy revealed she had cancer.

      Madeleine, 21, never thought she would be able to have children

       From January 2009 she underwent a four-hour chemotherapy session every two weeks for six months, notching up 48 hours of treatment.

     Madeline said: 'I was in my bedroom when my mum came in. She sat down, very calm, very composed.

    'She said I had Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I had cancer.

    'I had a lurching feeling in my stomach. It didn't make sense, it didn't feel real. It was overwhelming.

    'I was a very lively, bubbly person but during treatment I felt rotten for months. I had no energy but my family and friends were really supportive.'

    The treatment made Madeleine so weak she caught pneumonia but despite her illness she was given to news that her treatment had been successful in August 2009 and her cancer had gone into remission.

    Life returned to normal, Madeleine began to see friends and got a job in the clothing store TK Maxx.

    But on January 12, 2010, Madeleine's world came crashing down for a second time when she received the news a routine CT scan had shown the cancer had returned.

    She was rushed into 'salvage chemotherapy' and endured three gruelling 90 hour sessions in isolation - a further 270 hours. 

It was during her recovery in the weeks following her treatment that Madeline met her partner        Stephen, a postman, while having a quiet drink with friends.

     Madeleine, who lives in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, said: 'My friends wanted to take me out as a treat.

     'I had been in isolation for a long time during my treatment so we went a drink in Kilmarnock and Stephen was there.

'I had a wig on because I lost my hair, I told him my story and it went from there.'

    Following the treatment Madeleine was transferred to the Beatson Cancer Centre in Glasgow to replace stem cells destroyed during her treatment.

    Madeleine's brother Gary, now 24, and Carleen, 26, were tested and her sister proved a perfect match.

     But just weeks before the operation Carleen fell pregnant and couldn't donate.

     Madeleine Telfer during cancer treatment in March 2010, when she wore a wig

     Madeleine added: 'I thought I was cursed. Nothing was going right.

'I was happy for my sister because she had been trying for a baby for a while, but I was devastated that it meant she couldn't donate.'

      Madeleine was given the all clear at the beginning of May 2010.

She added: 'I was over the moon, I was just so happy.

'It also meant that stem cells that I had removed during my treatment, which we were saving, could be put back into me.'

      Madeleine returned home and enjoyed Christmas with her family.

     Her dreams came true in March last year when she found out she was pregnant, something she had given up hope on two years earlier.

     Madeleine was over the moon and gave birth to baby Harris on November 27 last year after just a three hour labour.

     She said: 'I couldn't believe it I did about five tests to make sure.

'Life is now just fantastic. I couldn't be happier. He is a little miracle.

    'I have come through a lot and as a result I am a completely different person.

     'We would love Harris to be joined by a wee brother or sister but I appreciate everything I have. Everything is wonderful.'

 (COPYRIGHT: Daily Mail - .dailymail.co.uk)

What Are Your Standards Of Success?

Different people have different standards for success. For one person it might be the amount of salary he gets and for another it might be the satisfaction he receives from the kind of work he does. Success is being happy. If material thing brings you happiness, then you're successful. Awards by the company; the level of authority a person has etc. They say that the standards of success will be achieved by maintaining an HMT Formula; H-Health Management, M-Money Management and T-Time management. Some other factors could be the comfortable relationship one has with his/her peers/seniors, the high amount of recognition and good performance.

For me, the standard of success in life isn’t the things. It isn’t the money or the stuff — it is absolutely the amount of happiness and joy you feel while doing your job. It's you who has to decide what is more important to you to be able to evaluate your level of success at your job. 

I would say success is having a job that you enjoy doing enough that you don't mind going to work every day. If you want a personal example then I can safely say that the company I worked for previously didn't pay me much but it gave me a lot of opportunities to grow in my field and I was recognized for all the good work I did. I always remember the word from Colossians 3:17, that whatever I do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him, most likely to do my duty well because I go to it with a heart overflowing with gratitude to God for his mercies, and likely to perform my duties with the most cheerful fidelity. For me that was my standard of how successful I am.

Find a job that matches your morals and goals in life. Good Luck with finding out your standard! :)

Dream BIG

Dreams. Dreams come a size too big so that we may grow into them. They’re more powerful than we’d like to believe. God has a big dream for you. What you have to do is to see that dream.  Those dreams are more powerful than we could ever imagine. They guide us through life, they help us set goals and ultimately achieve them. They are often the reason for heart break, but also the reason for soaring hearts.

Everyone has dreams, whether they are big or small. Everyone wants their dreams to come true and dreamers take small steps, to achieve the greater goal. They never give up, They NEVER fail. They do everything they must do to achieve. Someday, if you try hard, dreams would become reality. But you have to realize that God hasn't give up on those dreams and you don't have to either. You've got to dream it, then believe it, before you can live it.

“My dream is big and I will reach it just to prove everyone I can. It’s never too late."

 DREAM BIG ☮

Dear Me,

            Another step closer to your goal. Push forward. You’re almost there. This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often. If you don’t like something, change it.  Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people; we are united in our differences. Remember there are people that care, those that love you and those that accept you, Be the person you are, don't ever change. If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; they will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love.

        Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your inspiring stories with them. Do something to make yourself proud. Seek your own approval! Just remember that you’re too awesome. Your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. Your awesome rays would probably inspire them all at once anyway. Love isn’t something you find. Love is something that finds you. Oh who am I kidding? But hey, you get the gist. :)

          Stop over analyzing, life is simple. You are the thoughts you think and the things you wonder.Your potential is limitless. Go be what you wanna be, don't let anyone or anything stand in your way. You aren't perfect, but nobody is.
Sometimes God takes away what we think is good; to make room for what he knows is great. Keep your head up and be yourself. When life knocks you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray. Pray for people.

        Stand for God and something you believe in. God is greater than anybody. You'll make a brighter day but today's your chance to be there. Read your bible. Have the courage of your convictions to do well but not for judging others. Remember, the heart of your faith should be love. God will always be there to help you through it, one step at a time.

         Love GOD, live your dream, and pursue your passion. Some opportunities only come once; seize them. Life is short,  GO ahead take a chance … one day at a time … :)

Love, your past-tense naive self,

Me.

The Difference a Teacher can Make - A True Story

One of my favorite teachers during my Primary years in education, Ma'am Zeny

Steve, a twelve-year-old boy with alcoholic parents, was about to be lost forever, by the U.S. education system. Remarkably, he could read, yet, in spite of his reading skills, Steve was failing. He had been failing since first grade, as he was passed on from grade to grade. Steve was a big boy, looking more like a teenager than a twelve year old, yet, Steve went unnoticed... until Miss White.

Miss White was a smiling, young, beautiful redhead, and Steve was in love! For the first time in his young life, he couldn't take his eyes off his teacher; yet, still he failed. He never did his homework, and he was always in trouble with Miss White. His heart would break under her sharp words, and when he was punished for failing to turn in his homework, he felt just miserable! Still, he did not study.

In the middle of the first semester of school, the entire seventh grade was tested for basic skills. Steve hurried through his tests, and continued to dream of other things, as the day wore on. His heart was not in school, but in the woods, where he often escaped alone, trying to shut out the sights, sounds and smells of his alcoholic home. No one checked on him to see if he was safe. No one knew he was gone, because no one was sober enough to care. Oddly, Steve never missed a day of school.

One day, Miss White's impatient voice broke into his daydreams.

"Steve!!" Startled, he turned to look at her.

"Pay attention!"

Steve locked his gaze on Miss White with adolescent adoration, as she began to go over the test results for the seventh grade.

"You all did pretty well," she told the class, "except for one boy, and it breaks my heart to tell you this, but..." She hesitated, pinning Steve to his seat with a sharp stare, her eyes searching his face.

"...The smartest boy in the seventh grade is failing my class!"

She just stared at Steve, as the class spun around for a good look. Steve dropped his eyes and carefully examined his fingertips.

After that, it was war!! Steve still wouldn't do his homework. Even as the punishments became more severe, he remained stubborn.

"Just try it! ONE WEEK!" He was unmoved.

"You're smart enough! You'll see a change!" Nothing fazed him.

"Give yourself a chance! Don't give up on your life!" Nothing.

"Steve! Please! I care about you!"

Wow! Suddenly, Steve got it!! Someone cared about him? Someone, totally unattainable and perfect, CARED ABOUT HIM??!!"

Steve went home from school, thoughtful, that afternoon. Walking into the house, he took one look around. Both parents were passed out, in various stages of undress, and the stench was overpowering! He, quickly, gathered up his camping gear, a jar of peanut butter, a loaf of bread, a bottle of water, and this time...his schoolbooks. Grim faced and determined, he headed for the woods.

The following Monday he arrived at school on time, and he waited for Miss White to enter the classroom. She walked in, all sparkle and smiles! God, she was beautiful! He yearned for her smile to turn on him. It did not.

Miss White, immediately, gave a quiz on the weekend homework. Steve hurried through the test, and was the first to hand inhis paper. With a look of surprise, Miss White took his paper. Obviously puzzled, she began to look it over. Steve walked back to his desk, his heart pounding within his chest. As he sat down, he couldn't resist another look at the lovely woman.

Miss White's face was in total shock! She glanced up at Steve, then down, then up. Suddenly, her face broke into a radiant smile. The smartest boy in the seventh grade had just passed his first test!

From that moment nothing was the same for Steve. Life at home remained the same, but life still changed. He discovered that not only could he learn, but he was good at it! He discovered that he could understand and retain knowledge, and that he could translate the things he learned into his own life. Steve began to excel! And he continued this course throughout his school life.

After high-school Steve enlisted in the Navy, and he had a successful military career. During that time, he met the love of his life, he raised a family, and he graduated from college Magna Cum Laude. During his Naval career, he inspired many young people, who without him, might not have believed in themselves. Steve began a second career after the Navy, and he continues to inspire others, as an adjunct professor in a nearby college

Miss White left a great legacy. She saved one boy who has changed many lives. I know, because I am the love of his life.

You see, it's simple, really. A change took place within the heart of one boy, all because of one teacher, who cared.

My Elementary School teachers with my beloved mother (center)

© Jaye Lewis, 2003 - Used with permission from author (inspire21)