| When it seems all we hear is bad news, it can be | | | | joining the Marines and then go to college after that. |
| easy for us to join in the chorus. It can seem natural | | | | And, even though their mentoring relationship had |
| to spend time worrying about how we'll survive in | | | | ended, the two remained in close contact. |
| these challenging times. | | | | As the story wrapped up we got to see a picture of |
| But it doesn't have to be that way. | | | | this young man and his mentor. The young man was |
| Every second of every day, we have a choice to | | | | in his Marine uniform. Both looked happy and |
| behave and to think in whatever way we want. We | | | | successful. You could see it in their eyes. |
| can choose to be negative and focus on how bad | | | | To say I was proud of this young man would be an |
| things are. Or we can choose to be positive and | | | | understatement. That he would choose to serve his |
| focus on the good things going on around us. | | | | country first over his own needs speaks volumes |
| Two days ago, I found myself running late for a | | | | about him. He is a man a great character and |
| meeting. It was bitter cold outside. I was in a hurry. I | | | | courage, even at his young age. |
| had a "To Do" list a mile long for the week. I easily | | | | This young man reminded me that we all have a |
| could have focused my thoughts on all the things in | | | | choice. Every time. It's always up to us. |
| that were going wrong in the world at that moment. | | | | For us to beat this recession, we need to remember |
| But when I got to the meeting, I arrived in time to | | | | we always have a choice in what we do and how |
| hear a story. And this story turned my attitude | | | | we think. We need to make the choice every day do |
| around. | | | | to what it takes to succeed. And, if our choice |
| The story was told by a man who mentored a | | | | involves serving others, then we'll do even better. |
| young boy in a Kinship mentoring program. It talked | | | | Because the best way to help ourselves is by helping |
| about their lives and how they got to know each | | | | others. |
| other. Eventually, the boy, who had grown to be a | | | | Choose to make every day a great day for yourself |
| young man, had to make decision about life after | | | | and those around you. Then nothing can stop you |
| high school. He decided to serve his country by | | | | from achieving your dreams. |