Miracle Friend

As you can see from the past two days, I have some great friends who have taught me some of life's most important lessons. Today's person is no exception. I just met Janie this year at school, and I feel like my whole life has changed in that short amount of time. She is everything people want to be all wrapped up and put into one person. While we are not all fortunate enough to have a Janie in our lives, you would be doing yourself a favor to follow the lessons she has taught me. 

If what you're doing is great, let it speak for itself. You don't have to.

I have learned an incredible lesson in humility from Janie. Janie is unarguably one of the most intelligent, hard working, motivated, strong, dedicated, kind, and all around incredible people I know, but she would never tell you that. She has created a program at school that is flourishing and changing kids' lives, but, again, she would never tell you that. She is extremely proud of her program, assistants, and students, but she would rather have the success speak for itself. She doesn't want attention for what she is doing, and I find that to be amazing. We all need a little of that. We need to do our work to the best of our ability because we care, because we are passionate about it, and because it is the right thing to do. We should never do work for attention or accolades. We should not run around praising ourselves because if what we are doing is great enough, the praise will follow all by itself. Janie has taught me that. 

If you want something bad enough and are willing to work for it, you can do anything.

I owe Janie so much more than I could ever give her. This year, she encouraged me to go for my dreams. She didn't just say, "Go for it." She said, "Ok, let's sit down and plan out what you're going to do. You can do this. I believe in you." She told me that over and over again, "I believe in you." From that, I began to really believe that I could actually make a difference and inspire others to help me. Because of her, I have no doubts that if I keep working hard, I can do anything. You all need to believe that, too. If you have an aching passion to do something, you can. You can because it means so much to you that you'll do what you need to achieve it. You just have to move forward with unwavering faith in yourself. You will hit bumps. You will not always get exactly what you want at the time, but you can do anything you put your mind to. I believe that now thanks to Janie. 

Look for the daily miracles and blessings.

One time, at the end of an email, Janie said to me, "I wonder what great things will happen today." It struck me as soon as I read it. There is so much to be said for positivity, and not just that, but for being aware of the great things that happen to us each day. We are too quick to point out the negatives or life's misfortunes that we are neglecting to see all the blessings we receive daily. We are closing ourselves off to happiness if we live like that. Pay attention to each little miracle that happens to you each day. Wake up with the excitement that great things are going to occur. Janie has shown me that you are the one who chooses what you see. Finding the silver lining will lead to a much more fulfilled life. Search for the good and let the bad pass you by. 

Janie is one of the greatest people in the entire world. She is a huge blessing to my life, and I continue to learn from her each day. She has changed who I am and want to be. I am beyond grateful that she has taken me under her wing and inspired me to be more than I thought I could be. I promise these lessons will change you if you let them.

Go be like Janie,

BT