What Were You Blessed With? ... - #MotivateUs Quote of the Day + Something Extra
Published: Wed, 08/05/15
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Hi ,
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Quote: "I was blessed with certain gifts and talents and God gave them to me to be the best person I can be and to have a positive impact on other people." --- Bryan Clay Now onto the "little extra" for today: Impacting A Life A
Touch of Lemon When I met Mr. Jim Lemon, I was a sixteen year old freshman at Houston's Jackson Junior High and the chances of my finishing high school were slim. I was a troubled teenager with an attitude, living in a neighborhood that fostered
troubled teenagers. Mr. Lemon taught American history and it was clear from the first day that his classroom was not going to be disrupted. It was apparent, very quickly, that Mr. Lemon was quite different from the other teachers I had known. Not only was he a disciplinarian, but also he was a great teacher. He
would never settle for my usual standard of classroom work. Mr. Lemon pushed and prodded and never tolerated the mediocrity that had become my standard. On the occasion of our first semester report cards, Mr. Lemon called me aside and asked how it was possible that I was a B student in his class and a D and F
student in the rest of my classes. I was ready for that question. I passionately told him about my divorced parents, the local gangs, the drugs, the fights, and the police - all the evils that I had been subjected to. Mr. Lemon listened patiently and when I was through he responded, “There’s a problem with your
list Mr. Phillips, you are not on it.” Then Mr. Lemon explained that the only person responsible for my situation was me. And the only person with the potential to change my situation was me, and that when I personally accepted that responsibility I could make a significant change in my life. He convinced me that I was failing not because I was a failure, but because I was not accepting the responsibility for my results in those other classes. Mr. Lemon was the first
teacher I had who made me believe in myself. He inspired me to become a better student and he changed my life. Ten years later, I spoke to him again. I was preparing to graduate from Chaminade University in Honolulu. Be sure to read the read the rest of the story at: Have a wonderful day! May you be blessed with love, Marlene Oh yes, a link to the image: |