Dear Teach: Back-to-School

Hi Boys and Girls,

Well, it is that time of year. You know the one where you get butterflies in your stomach, and you can't fall asleep too readily, and perhaps if you are lucky, your parent purchases a new pair of sneakers, and clothes, and binders, and pencils--even digital devices; and you check out teachers' websites, and you worry a bit, and then there are tests, and homework, and, and, and, and ...and you get what I mean, right?

So, knowing what all lies ahead, or maybe not really knowing what lies ahead, but wanting it to be an all right new year, for after all it is a brand new start full of hope for better days, more friends, better grades, fun times, better schedules, and so on-- keep a few things in mind.

Here's the first:

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

by Langston Hughes

Write this poem somewhere in your new binder, keep it private, and if at anytime during your 10 month school year things begin to look glum, read it, think about it, and know you can have that dream. ALWAYS. Know that. As long as it is a good dream, a personal idea you aspire to have, to be, to reach someday, that is not one that causes harm to anyone: know that it is yours to have.

Here's a second:

Remembering Your "A B C's"

Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and habits 
Believe in yourself 
Consider things from every angle 
Don't give up and don't give in 
Enjoy life today, yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come 
Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy their riches 
Give more than you planned to 
Hang on to your dreams 
Ignore those who try to discourage you 
Just do it 
Keep trying no matter how hard it seems, it will get easier Love yourself first and most 
Make it happen 
Never lie, cheat or steal, always strike a fair deal 
Open your eyes and see things as they really are 
Practice makes perfect 
Quitters never win and winners never quit 
Read, study and learn about everything important in your life 
Stop procrastinating 
Take control of your own destiny 
Understand yourself in order to better understand others 
Visualize it 
Want it more than anything 
X-accelerate your efforts 
You are unique of all God's creations nothing can replace you 
Zero in on your target and go for it !

Wanda Carter

Download Wanda Carter's A B C's. Place it in your binder or beside your night stand. Check off one tip you want to think about. Maybe choose one a day or focus on one for the week. This should be a casual yet a reflective exercise. 

Think about it in happy and friendly terms.  

Perhaps you will decide what you can do to reach a goal that seems unattainable. Think about it before you go to sleep, and visualize yourself having reached the goal. 

Smile. Be happy. The work has already been done. Listen to your inner voice, it will never fail you, but you must be attentive. 

The "how's" will arrive, but for the moment, just be assured you already have reached this goal or dream.

Be well kids!

Wishing you all a wonderful new school year.

The Teach.