Good Morning to all! Your presence is counted as a blessing. I invite you to eavesdrop during this quite special conversation between your graduating seniors and myself. Even though my peers state that ‘brevity’ isn’t my strong suit, let’s see if we can prove them wrong, yet again.
Class of 2010, as you stand on the brink of moving into life beyond Franklin Academy, change is inevitable. Several of you have discussed such changes with me recently, along with your concerns surrounding these changes. Yes!! Life for you is definitely going to become a little ‘stirred and shaken up.’
I count it an honor having the chance to get to know each of you, many times on a level that other adults aren’t allowed. And for that I’m grateful. As I’ve listened and answered a tireless line of questions from all of you, I must share my favorite to date.
“Elise, do bunnies swim? Because I just saw one jump into the pond!" Oh my gosh what should we do?
PS: Yes they’re quite good swimmers, please don’t worry.
On a serious note I’d like to pose a question to all of you for a change. One that I hope you ask yourselves at the end of each day.
“What did you do today?”
Now, many of us could easily reel off an exhaustive list of tasks completed. Hmmm, I wonder why we over complicate things? Let me rephrase and simplify my question.
I ask, “Did you build something or break something today?” Keep that question in mind considering life at Franklin Academy and during your life after Franklin.
“Did you build or did you break?”
“Did you build someone up or did you break someone down?”
“Did you build your own reputation through your actions and words or did you break it?”
I’m confident that if we are all truly honest, then we can all plead guilty to having broken in a number of areas at one time or another.
And honestly, that is OK. Life, family, school, works, boyfriends/girlfriends, all take their toll. Life is busy, can be difficult and frustrating. It’s easy to lose focus – we are not perfect nor should expect to be. Take one day at a time. Like I’ve told you in the many conversations we’ve had. When life’s responsibilities or schoolwork become overwhelming, simply make a list, and chunk it up. Cross off each item as you complete it. Take a deep breath and one step at a time.
Make a conscious effort to build yourself and your relationships with others honestly and sincerely.
Work hard at not breaking. When you do that, then your ‘building moments’ will outshine the ‘breaking moments,’ and I know that a positive balance is definitely within your reach. I believe in you, don’t forget that!
I’ve shared with many of you a quote that keeps me building instead of breaking. Hear it, absorb it, and believe in its truth.
“It’s not who you are that holds you back. It’s who you think you are not!”
And I promise you that you are ALL quite amazing and able. My wish for each and every one of you is…Next time someone asks you, “What did you do today?” You can say, “Today I built!!:
Much love to all of you as you grow beyond Franklin Academy.
And
Happy Building!!
