I thought I would blog about the lessons that a 9-year-old boy has been instilling in people across the country. Kid President, my miniature hero, and his brother-in-law Brad Montague have been making videos on SoulPancake for about a year now, and their message is uplifting and inspiring.
Here is what he has taught my students and me:
1. You were made to be awesome: Not enough people believe this. Granted, we all are not supposed to be world leaders or CEO's, but being awesome doesn't require that title. Being awesome is about being the best person you are capable of being. Help others. Work hard. Be fair. Smile. That is being awesome. Each one of us has the ability to do anything if we just go after it.
2. We are on the same team: I pray that one day we all realize this. In the game of life, there are no sides. We all have our differences and unique qualities, but no one is better than the next person. In order to achieve our goals, we must work together. We must cheer for others and help them along. We must drop our biased feelings and work as one. Everyone is important. Everyone has a plethora of talents to add to this world. Embrace them. After all, we are on the same team.
3. Make this year awesome for someone else: Doing for others has ignited a fire inside of me that has created an abundance of happiness. Helping other people is the right thing to do. Giving helps the giver just as much as the receiver. I have witnessed this transformation first hand. The students in Christin and my class are changed individuals. They are happier, calmer, and inspired. Make a conscious effort to step outside of your own bubble and see what you can do for others. The world needs a little kindness.
4. It's time to do something: We have such a short time on this earth, so don't waste it sitting around. Get up, and go do something. Do something that makes you happy. Do something that will make this world a better place. Do something that will help another person. Just do something. Don't live a life that you'll look back on one day and regret.
5. If there are two paths, choose the one that leads to awesome: There are too many outside influences trying to lead us down the wrong path. Find the right path and stick to it. Surround yourself with people who want to help you stay on that path, too. Having the right people around you is paramount. Find others who will believe and support you and your dreams. Find others who will not judge you or bring you down. Find others who will be there in times of need. Stay on the right path!
6. When you realize your dream, keep going and keep going: Life will knock you down...many times. It won't go easy on you. You'll constantly question yourself and your abilities, but the important thing is to never quit moving forward toward your dream. It's going to take a whole lot of effort and tears, but the end result will be worth every moment of pain.
7. It's everyone's duty to give the world a reason to dance: Go out there and be great. Be so great that you become contagious, and after you have achieved this greatness, stop and take a moment to dance. Just enjoy life and all it has to offer. You can do so much if you just believe and take that first step. When you get moving, you'll be happy and cause others to follow.
8. Treat everyone like it's their birthday: Be kind to everyone. You don't know how much your words or actions could affect someone. Even the smallest compliment or word of encouragement can change a day, even a life. Make other feel as important as they are. Because of a certain teacher in high school and her constant encouragement and belief in me, I am doing exactly what I was meant to do. Be kind to all, even those who may not deserve it.
This is what my students, BT #2, and I have learned. Please take his lessons and apply them. Each and every one of you reading this right now has a world of possibilities at your finger tips. Live in a way that makes you proud. Keep working, and bring others with you.
Remember, you were make to be awesome.
Go do good things,
BT
Love this! We used to live in Valparaiso, so I know where you teach. And I go to church with Kid President; he was in my Bible class when he was in second grade. It's a small world...but it's also a big world filled with so many different people. Too many focus on the differences, and people like you and Kid President remind us to focus on pulling together rather than drawing dividing lines. Keep up the good work! Teaching is a type of ministry; my husband teaches math in a poverty stricken school; I tell him he's an academic mission worker.
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