I've had friends with incredible ideas, but they don't profit from that thing because they say they have kids or a mortgage or a car note, etc. They are afraid. Except for the kid, I've had and lost all that, even almost lost a kid to gun violence. But guess what? I'm still alive to start all over and try life again and again and again.
A turning point for me was when I lost everything in 2004. My house, truck, money, relationship...everything and had to move with my children into a two-bedroom town home, and all with no job and a baby on the way. I became depressed, withdrawn, my confidence waned. The whole nine. Then one day, my then 13-year old son, "Gemini," who's now 26 said this to me.
"Mama, why are you so sad? So what if we lost everything and we don't have money any more or our house? We love each other don't we? So even if we live in a box, as long as we're together, we're rich!"
That changed everything. Then everything changed. At that point, I started asking myself, What are you afraid of? What's going to happen if you fail? If this doesn't work? If people don't support? If people talk about you?
My answer? Nothing. The world will keep spinning, I'll keep living and my ideas will keep coming. In that moment, I realized my biggest fear was probably what others would think of me if I failed. Again. Now, I realize, people's opinion of me is none of my business.
As a high school student right now, what are you afraid of when it comes to doing your school work? Or focusing on school? Or making sure you learn one thing every day? Will you be labeled a nerd by your peers? If you are, so what? Are you a nerd? If you are, so what? What's going to happen if you do it all wrong? If you do, so what? Get clarity and do it over. Get in the habit now, while you're still young of asking yourself what's going to happen? and so what? whenever you feel lazy or lack confidence in something or some work you want to do or be great in.
Finally, I want you to watch this vid of Gary Vee (Gary Vaynerchuk), who I think, is one the smartest gurus ever! He'll definitely inspire you no matter your age, and I hope you begin to follow him on social media on all his networks. He is phenomenal.
1. INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.
2. Respond in no more than 10 sentences and no less than five.
3. You MUST respond to at least TWO other posts from any student. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.
Be sure to--
- Be clear about your position
- Provide specific support for your argument
- Use rhetorical devices and other grammar elements
- Write EPIC Content-Engaging, Powerful, Informative, Creative
CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school or your parents with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.
DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. It's all or nothing.
Due: Sun., Apr. 14, 2019 11:59 p.m. CST
If you would like to submit a topic for discussion, submit it here.