We weren't born to follow- video

Watch the following video:
http://www.values.com/inspirational-stories-tv-spots/119-Guitar-Hero

Questions:
1.  Do you think a lot of people supported the boy playing his guitar?
2.  How did you think the boy felt after the teacher said "a lot better than last week" ?
3.  How did her words of encouragement help the boy to keep playing?

In the following video a boy auditions for Korea has talent:
http://www.wimp.com/greatchallenges/

What were his life challenges?
What were his accomplishments in his life?
How does his determination inspire you?
What challenges should you overcome in order to reach your dreams?

Strength

Don't Give Up

You will need: Tenacity & Focus

"Strength does not come from physical capacity.  It comes from an indomitable will." -Mohandas K. Gandhi

Look at a young child working on a project-cutting with little plastic scissors, drawing with markers, taping the loose ends-and never a thought of failure.  There is just, "What do I need to make this what I want it to be?"  When it's all done, no matter what it looks like, there's a sense of pride and accomplishment.  What does this tell us?

Simple Steps
*  Don't fear failure.  It's not very often that we get it right on the first try.  it's the second, third or one hundredth try that makes it work.  Understand that there will be failures and learn from them.
*  Avoid judgement.  If things are not turning out exactly as you envisioned, don't get discouraged.  See what you end up with.  Some of the world's greatest inventions were borne from mistakes.

Activism

ACTIVISM ISN'T JUST FOR ADULTS

The people who made the Montgomery Bus Boycott successful were woman and men, Black and White, young and old.  Alphonso Perry, a track star at school, recalls how he used his athletic skill to deliver notices on the boycott from door to door.  Other young men and women walked to and from school together, protecting one another, seeing to it that all hot home safely.  There is no age requirement for standing up for what you believe; young people can be very effective as activists.

OBJECTIVES

• Recognize the necessary steps for social action
• Create an action plan for community involvement

WHAT MAKES AN ACTIVIST?

At the time Mrs. Parks kept her seat and the boycotters refused to ride, segregation was a commonly accepted practice in the South.  It takes a great deal of individual courage to stand up to something that most people accept.

At times, we have all refrained from speaking or acting for what we believe is right.  What are some of the things that keep us from acting? (For example, we don’t have time; we aren’t sure anyone else will be on our side; or we don’t think our actions will make a difference anyway.) Think of a time when you have been in this position.

• What was the issue or problem?
• What kept you from acting or speaking in that situation?
• What might you have said or done at the time?
• What difference would it have made to the situation?
• What difference would it have made in yourself?
• If you confront the same situation again, what will you do? What will you say?

Although there are many different ways to campaign for change, the following steps will help you get started.

1.  Identify your cause.  What current social problems – either at your school, in your community, in the country or internationally – are of special interest to you?  What injustices need to be more fully addressed in society?

2.  Consider the possibilities.  Why is this issue important to you?  Is it important enough to justify your time?  What are the possible risks?  How might you and your friends make a difference?  What are your chances of success?

3.  Research your issue.  What do you need to know about this issue?  What related issues might you investigate?  What are some of the opposing arguments?  Who can help you find more information or strengthen your position?

4.  Build alliances.  Find allies who will help you with your project.  Who shares common goals? (They should be friends, teachers, parents, local organizations, etc.)  What individuals might what to work with you on this issue?  What local or national organizations can offer assistance? 

5.  Build Strategies.  What are some of the methods you might use to educate the public about your cause?  Brainstorm things you can do to bring about change in the current situation.  Questions to consider are:

• Why do you want to change the current situation?
• How will you go about doing this?
• Will your actions encourage other people to take up the cause or discourage them from doing so?
• What effect will your actions have on community leaders or lawmakers?

1. Present your action plan to the class.  As part of your group’s presentation, explain how your action plan is going to convince the community to support your cause.  Students outside the group can suggest additional actionas and also play devil’s advocate, suggesting how your action plan might turn potential supporters off.
2. Contact local lawmakers, activists and other community leaders who work for social change.  Invite them to your classroom to discuss their projects and critique the class’s actions plans.
3. Interview family members who have stood up for something they believed in or were part of a protest or social movement.  What role did they play?  Why did they choose to act?  Did they take any risks?  Audiotape or videotape the interviews.
4. The World Wide Web is a gold mine of student activist sites and stories.

-www.teachingtolerance.org

 

   

Learning from Failure

Studies show that if you want be a success, you have to learn how to fail.

Did you know....
That Katy Perry was dropped by three record labels.

Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.

George Washington almost lost the American Revolution.

Steve Jobs was fired by Apple, the company he founded.

What have you learned from your failures.  Failure is only defeat if you do not learn from it.
www.scholastic.com

Briana Walker

My name is Briana Walker. Since I was little I had always wanted to be a dancer, but a car accident at age 23 left me paralyzed from the waist down. I wondered about my future. I later met a hip-hop dance pioneer who was also in a wheelchair. Using our wheel- chairs, we created one of the first-ever wheelchair hip hop dance teams. We have danced around the globe. We hope to change the way people see those of us in wheelchairs. Today I sky dive, surf, snow ski, wake board, bungee jump and compete in marathons and triathlons. I'm also an author, a speaker and will always continue to be... a dancer.
Power in You "Life Story"

Becca Levie

         My name is Becca Levie. I was born with five holes in my heart to an abusive drug-addicted mother. When I was eight years old, she abandoned my sisters and me in Mexico. That was thirty years ago. During that time I have come to believe that what you get out of life is completely up to you.

Today I am Mrs. Utah U.S. Continental. I have a wonderful husband, four beautiful children and two successful businesses. I strive to share what I've learned through books and motivational talks. I know that we do not become great by chance—but by choice—and that everyone is born for greatness.

powerinyou.org

Derek Parra

My name is Derek Parra. I grew up in a broken home in a San Bernadino California neighborhood. While in Junior High school I discovered roller skating. I loved it! Coaches at the local rink took notice and worked with me. Being financially challenged at times I ate discarded fast food to survive.

With hard work and sheer determination, I eventually became a world champion roller skater. My dreams then turned to the Olympics. I started over to become an Ice Skater. Through many long, difficult years- and with the support of my team and my family, I went on to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. There, I broke the world record in the fifteen hundred -meter speed skating event and won the Gold Medal. (powerinyou.org)

Andrei Kirilenko

My name is Andrei Kirilenko. I grew up in Russia. My family was very poor. We shared a small apartment with two other families. When the Soviet Union collapsed, my parents lost their jobs and eventually divorced.
My entertainment was always basketball. I had a dream of playing in the NBA. I spent all my time in the gym working hard toward my goal. I stayed away of drugs and alcohol. I went pro at the age of fifteen and was earning enough money to support my family. I am blessed to be in the NBA and to now give back and make people here in Utah happy. (powerinyou.org)

Finish Strong Movie

www.finishstrongmovie.com

Amazing People

You have to see this to believe it!

Essentials for Victory

1.  He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
2.  He will win who knows ho to handle both superior and inferior forces.
3.  He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.
4.  He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
5.  He will win who has military capacity and is not interefered with by the sovereign.

-Sun Tzu, The Art of War