Lessons From a Third Grade Dropout

by Rick Rigsby

say they would have worked harder if expectations had been higher.”

Have we reached the point in our society where it is more important to look good rather than be good?

#TRUTH

This man never ever hid behind an excuse. He never allowed his problems to determine his present or affect his future. He realized that destiny was a choice and not a chance. And in living his simple way, the profoundness of his life is impacting a new generation today.

At some point you have to make a choice. Am I going to live or am I going to die? Am I going to find the faith and the courage to pick myself up and try to live again, or am I going to merely exist?

To exist offers the illusion of freedom without any responsibility. Our present culture encourages effortless living since all that matters is appearing successful.

we find it pleasantly acceptable for morality to be replaced by materialism, principle by popularity, or character by convenience.

It’s a refusal to accurately assess, analyze, and adapt to one’s present environment.

circumstances. In essence, I had to move from making an impression to making an impact.

The lack of wisdom in our present society poses a critical threat to the quality of our lives.

That resource is wisdom—something our folks referred to as “common sense.”

Simply stated, the great disconnect is between an older generation of doers verses a contemporary generation of viewers.

an era of people who valued their work and took pride in doing a good job. They were hardworking, decent people who arrived early to the job, did not run from responsibility, and gave maximum

effort. Their work habits were not for show. Doing a good job simply was a way of life.

an era that practiced common sense values as a lifestyle.

simple solutions for complex problems.

Such a society is satisfied with mediocrity as long as workers put in eight hours.

a lack of character among leaders.

without a determined commitment to be a decent, hard-working, and honest human being, how strong can a superpower be?

There is a startling void in our leadership today. It is a void produced by everyday citizens who do not take pride in what they do, would rather finish first than do things right, and would rather look good than be good.

Our goal in the new millennium is to make a good impression.

he certainly did not go back on his word. If he said it, he meant it. And if he said he was going to do something, he did it. Right or wrong. Popular or unpopular.

You can receive the best training available, possess all the skill in the world, and own a wealth of knowledge, but still have a resume stamped “incomplete” or a life labeled “unsatisfied” or a dream marked “unfulfilled.”

“Kind deeds are never lost”

being kind puts you in a positive state of mind.

The power of kindness has the potential to turn a griping, complaining, bitter, self-absorbed employee into one who develops a different mindset, thus a different lifestyle and a different way of speaking.

Psychologist Abraham Maslow argues that human needs fall into several categories, and he notes that among a human’s most basic need is safety. We need to know our well-being will be protected. Such a need is the foundation for security.

“Humility is the God-given self-assurance that eliminates the need to prove the worth of who you are and the rightness of what you do.”

dispensing acts of kindness improves mental health.

Talk less about yourself and listen more.

Choosing to speak in a kind tone has the power to turn away wrath, change a mood, even transform a relationship.

Choosing to listen actively to someone, looking them squarely in the eyes, and purposely remembering the major points may take more than the 15 seconds that defines the attention span of the average adult, but will add value and honor and dignity to the person with whom you are interacting.

Spend this week using kind words and speaking with a kind tone. Try listening to people instead of talking over them.

Kindness creates the opportunity for meaningful communication.

Kindness restores energy levels within people.

Allow one act of kindness per day to be your power nap for the new millennium!

Kindness encourages and uplifts the spirit.

“One sure way to make a negative lasting impression is to waste someone’s time!”

Honor is born in the heart when your words are consistent with your actions.

Discipline is the engine that powers your entire life.

We did not realize it at the time, but we were building value. We were building honor. We were building community. All through the act of helping.

Helping people forces you to move beyond yourself.

helping has immense value. Helping is honorable. Helping restores dignity. Helping builds community.