How I'd like to change the world

I know I’m going to step on some toes with this…I guarantee.

Ok well this was really hard to put into words…and to be honest I still don’t really know what to say or how to say what I’m feeling. But I think it’s just dumb that some of my close friends are doing or trying drugs. I’m not going to single anybody out, but I just hate the fact that we know what they do to us and not everyone has the mindset I have. Why put those terrible things into your body? My friends have told me, “It’s not that bad, it’s not like I’m doing them all the time”. Well I don’t care if you did it once or do them all the time, they’re still bad for you and it’s getting to the point where at some point you just have to let them go as your friend, because if they’re going to keep putting that into their bodies and doing harmful things to their bodies, then why waste all my time caring about them? There’s no point. I know that people will still do drugs regardless of what I preach. But I’m going to lead by example and never do drugs, because I’m not stupid enough to try them. Everyone has a choice to do drugs. It’s not the “only way to cope” go get help. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and being depressed and think you’re “cool” because you do drugs because you’re the stupid ones for trying them.

So I guess the more I started to think about it the easier the words just flowed onto the page and how I really feel about my friends doing drugs…so this is my how to change the world project:

1)      My goal is to stop my close friends from doing drugs.

2)      It’s important to me because we grow up knowing what the effects of drugs are on our bodies and nobody cares. They feel its ok and it’s not ok with me. It’s against my morals.

3)      I can start in this project in class.

4)      I don’t need support, I just need people to listen and actually care about why I’m caring about them.

#16 Hamper Helpers

I think that this was a great experience because I noticed that there were rows upon rows of cars lined up waiting to be loaded up and it made me realize that not everybody has that easy of a life. Compared to them I have a very easy life. I never have to worry about not getting my payments in, or how much I have in grocery money or if I’ll be able to buy clothes for my kids. All I have to worry about is my grades and my family. I had an amazing Christmas and I hope that the families we helped out did too. I learned that you must be grateful for everything you have because you never know when it could be taken away from you.

#12 -We're midway to the end...crazy

I have learned more in this class than I have in any other of my classes because I’ve learned valuable life skills and I’ve learned to take initiative in projects and group work. Being respectful to everyone’s ideas is very important in working with groups. Working with people outside your comfort zone is another lesson too, because in the work world you can’t always work with your close friends and buddies.

I feel like I need to become more comfortable around people and not be so shy when talking about things that are outside of my comfort zone. I think I’m becoming a leader that leads by example. I truly believe that leading by example is the best kind of leadership because if you see someone being quiet and respectfully doping their work and staying on task, other people are likely to follow.

It feels weird knowing we only have a half a semester left in this class…it feels like we just started yesterday.

I think Riley said it best when he said, “I don’t know what I’m going to do without this class….it’ll feel weird not coming here for 2^nd period.”

Me To We-----Chapter Two

Marc faced many crucial decisions. He had a great idea of how he persevered through challenges and how he set his mind on a goal. Many people create goals but lose sight of them in the process of trying to accomplish them. Although he turned down a life that may have given him TONS of money (not many people would’ve given that up), he wouldn’t give up on the dreams he had. Marc, along with his brother, was passionate about helping struggling children. He took a trip to Klong Toey.

"Sometimes life's most important lessons need to be literally staring us in the face before we are able to recognize their true value."

I think Marc is an amazing guy, he thinks about others before himself and that’s something I really value. We should be more aware of our town members, neighbors family members and friends and reach out to them if they need a helping hand. Marc and his brother both have amazing stories and I’m glad we have the opportunity to read this book.

Me To We-----Chapter One

Craig's story is very touching and motivating. There is much to say about him. This guy was out making a difference in the world. He was only 12 years old when he thought of this idea. He had the courage to stand up for what he thought was wrong and in every instance, he was right. He saw an article in the paper, felt a connection to the young boy, and knew something needed to be done about this problem. That is just one thing people can do, realize the problem, but Craig didn’t stop there. He made a massive change in the world we live in. Not everyone in this world can be like Craig, but if we had enough of that kind of a leader we would have a world without violence towards children and child labor would be eliminated almost entirely.

Leadership Video

Coach shows how to overcome limits and pushing kids to do their best. Brock is a leader on that team and he has to lead by example.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozztKbU3Btk&feature=related

#5: Everything is amazing and nobody is happy

I think this is totally true. We are an ungrateful generation. A lot of kids aren’t treating their parents with respect, their teachers and most of all; they don’t treat themselves with respect. If you don’t have respect for yourself, how are you supposed to have other people respect you? It can’t happen…but that’s beside the point. I think that there are many things on this Earth that are just amazing, and sometimes you have to just sit back and think of how much of a miracle it is that you are sitting here reading this right now, little one celled organisms millions of years ago evolved into who we are today…if you ask me that’s amazing. We are the only planet in the solar system that supports life. Venus is too hot, and Mars is too cold. We have an atmosphere and water and plants and animals. That’s amazing. we can sit back and complain whenever our blackberries aren’t sending messages, but in reality, the message is going to space and back, so sit back and put the phone down for a second, and enjoy what you have for 5seconds everyday at least and you’ll realize that there are amazing things all around you and you should be grateful.

Feel free to show the class this if you’d like Mr. T.