I have a quote above my desk in my office that says,
“Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It’s not your parents, your past relationships, your JOB, the economy, the weather, an argument or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make. PERIOD.”
If you have ever walked into Bruning or Davenport you will see many quotes throughout each building. I like to call them, “what I have learned along the way quotes.” Some are short, some are long, some are well known, some others not. What I can tell you is that almost all have a lesson behind them or tell a story. If I were still teaching History, I am sure we could utilize an entire day of discussion on a quote from JFK to Bill Cosby to Luke Skywalker.
The quote above is one of my favorites. “Everything you do is based on the choices you make.” If there is one thing I would like for our students to know is that the choices they make affect them in ways they may never know. Doing well in something or volunteering for something just does not happen. Students have to consciously make the choice to work hard and be contributing members to their school community. In an age where Wants are often confused with Needs, it is refreshing when students make choices that help other people more than themselves.
It’s sometimes hard to come to this realization that each and every decision we make has an impact on our future. But when that moment comes, it makes you cherish life that much more and make the most of every opportunity.
Whether it is the decision to go workout, study or work a little harder/longer, or help someone else, each small decision has HUGE impact on the future.
I drilled this into the heads of my students. You are making a choice whether you think you are or not. The earlier a student, particularly a JH or HS student, realizes this the better off they are in terms of building a life they want to live.
Good one Patrick!