Tag: Motivation

The “FROZEN” TRUTH

Image

If you’re like the majority of Americans, then I’m sure you’re aware of the new movie release of Disney’s “Frozen”. I have seen this movie twice; once when my 9-year old sister begged me to take here to see it, so I opened the freezer door and showed her Frozen!  (insert laugh or yawn here) Then, I watched the real thing with my family at the movies. However, the one thing that I took away from the movie and has yet to leave my mind is the song “Let It Go.” The song about a Queen who feels alone and ostracized because of her uncontrollable abilities has exploded with popularity. However, it’s been on my heart to share with you a different side of this song that the marketing department at Disney won’t share with you. In the opening verses of the song, Queen Elsa sings that “she’s in a Kingdom of Isolation and it looks like I’m the Queen.” Almost all the places I speak at, I’ve realized a constant theme I hear from students, it’s the belief that they feel like they are alone and no one cares about them. Many people tend to think they are alone because of their imperfections, their differences, & their home life. They feel alone because no one will reach out to them and tell them that they are worth something. They truly feel “FROZEN” in this world. Many even literally live out the line of “Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know”, because they feel desolate. In my own life, I have found that hurt coincides with silence, many people are quiet on the outside, but inside their hearts are crying out to be part of something, to belong, and to feel empowered. But there is hope found in those who answer the call and are willing to reach out to others. Every person whether they know it or not has an Influence and with that, you have the opportunity to impact a life for the better. Did you know that just by putting a positive status on Facebook or Twitter can make a difference? I was startled to find that over 75% of public school fights are now inspired by at least 1 negative post or comment on social media. In fact, the #1 school issue in America, isn’t drugs, chewing gum, bad academics, teen drinking, or pregnancy, the top issue is BULLYING. Imagine how much different our world would be if we just stopped, and decided to sit by the unpopular kids at lunch. What would happen if we reached out and showed sincere care to the people we don’t even know? What could happen if we gave a hurting person a shoulder to cry on and whisper the words “Let it Go” to them? What if we let all our pride and arrogance go and decided to change our generation regardless of what the “cool kids think”? Everyone matters. 

I have a challenge for all my friends . Let’s bring the heat to our generation. Unlike Frozen’s Queen Elsa, people don’t have to feel frozen, because they’re not alone. Be the leader who goes above the norm, by challenging the status quo, and breaking the proverbial “ICE”. Reach out to others, give a smile to a smile less person, and be a friend to the friendless. The Frozen Truth is the fact that anyone can have an IMPACT on this world, but only if we’re willing to believe in it and do it. Bottom line: Be the leader who FREEZES fear and MELTS mediocrity. Leaders: It’s time for us to Live it up & LET IT GO! 

I leave this final message to anyone who may be hurting tonight:

If you’re hurting, let it go!
If you have a grudge, let it go!
If you’re heart is burdened, get on your knees and pray for God to let it go!

“Let it Go, Let it Go, You’re Not Alone Anymore
Let it Go, Let it Go, You were Meant to Change the World.” -Remixed Lyrics

Need some Motivation? “Let’s Get Fired Up!”

Olympic Torch

Just the other day I was driving by a high school football field and saw the players getting ready for a much anticipated year, but beyond the football players practice, you couldn’t help but overhear the shouts of the cheerleading practice that was happening right across the street. As I listened to what the cheerleaders were chanting, I realized that they were doing a familiar cheer that we’ve all heard before. It went like this: “Let’s Get Fired Up! Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap.” Over and over again, the cheerleaders kept practicing this chant, with each cheer getting louder and each motion becoming more precise. As I heard this, my mind went back and thought of two things: 1). When I use to play basketball in high school, every game our cheerleaders would do this chant and as a player it was indeed encouraging to hear. They were trying to get people excited, pumped, enthused, and, yes, pardon the pun, “Fired Up” about what could happen next for our team. The idea was that if everyone got involved, enough people would get fired up and began to really root for the team. The fans then could positively Impact the Atmosphere and ultimately help our team get a Win! When we look at life, it seems like many people are looking for a Win. They’re in a game, a game called life; a game that shows no mercy, a game that is brutal, it’s unfair and often times we’re up against its odds. But when life knocks us down, we must be willing to get back up. Just like the fans at the game, we as leaders have the opportunity to Impact the Atmosphere. We have the opportunity to make or break someone’s day, an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.  We need to be excited about what will happen next, to get others involved and say the words “Let’s Get Fired Up” to a very dry, cold, and desolate world. That choice starts with each of us. 2). The second thing I thought of was the words “Fired Up”. Sure, we get fired up about football games, cookouts, museums, TV shows, competitions, food eating contests, lol, among many other things. But , in this life, what does it mean to be completely fired up about something? When I think about these two words, I think about a torchbearer. Before there were flashlights, there were people who would carry torches of fire and light the way for the people to see, because if anyone was fired up back then, it was these guys, literally lol. They would guide, direct, and lead people into the right direction. I went to my dictionary to see what the word torchbearer actually meant verbatim, it gave me this golden definition, “Torchbearer: One, such as a leader, who imparts knowledge, truth, or inspiration to others.” I want to ask you a question, “By this definition, are you a torchbearer?” I know many of us are about to start school or already did, and there is nothing I crave more than to be a person who impacts others with truth, knowledge, and inspiration daily. There are people in our schools, communities, and in our own lives who are looking for guidance, direction, and leadership, we must ask ourselves, “Will we be the person that is willing to take the torch and lead the way?” Each of us have a fire that burns within us, a fire of influence that can inspire, motivate, and impact others in a positive way, but for what purpose will this fire of influence burn for? We must remember that though some people are silent, their hearts are crying, crying out for a friend, will we be that friend? In this dark world, so many people are looking for the light, a fire of inspiration, if you will, when in truth, we as leaders are the ones who are holding the Flame. We must desire to be fired up, but not just about material things, but about the impact we make on someone’s life. We must be the “torchbearers” and carry the flame into today’s dark world, people who burn with passion, model the way, believe in the future, and share their spark.  This spark starts at the Heart. So no matter what you’re starting, whether it is school, college, a new job, a hobby, or even starting retirement, please know that each day is an opportunity where we can impact our atmosphere, we can positively influence someone’s life, and we can ultimately change our world. We must always remember to be a Friend, to Fuel the Flame. Be the Spark. Be Motivated. Be Influential and be the “Torchbearer” we were meant to be. “Let’s Get Fired Up!”