Learning in Economic Quicksand

This poem was inspired by, and written to a 7th grade class in 1998. It is the message we must continue to send out to our children in reminding them that they are not our future. They are their future... our present.

CLASS ACT

... What each of you truly are ...

What most of us strive to be ...
I thank you for bringing new challenge into my life
Your affect was far more than you could see.
For, each smile, every round of applause (even the teeth sucking)
Reminded me of my youth ... A memory that confirms my growth.

Sure, it may seem like 100 years ago
And what you call ‘Bout It ... We called Cool.
But the message that never changes

is the reminder of hope and success:
To learn life’s best lessons ...

You have to stay in school.

But don’t just stay to take up space ...

Because the joke will be on you.
And it’s a joke that has no punch line,
Just confusion about what to do.

You see, right now you don’t need all the answers
You need questions, faith and love.
You need to believe in yourself more and more each day
And your true gang leader - the Lord up above.

For, from musty little 4 year old kids

to mellow 70 year old adults
He has truly welcomed us into this family and world.
His guidance will make strong men out of little boys,
And even stronger women out of little girls.

We don’t have to behave like clowns ...

but we choose to sometimes,
It’s safer than admitting how we feel.
At times it gives us the chance to exercise our imagination
And other times, it’s just a way of keepin’ it real.

Class Acts
... What each of you truly are ...

And the secret to maturing and living to be old ...
Stay focused on being your best

and making your choices right for you,
And thanks for letting me be a part of your life

During my day at the proud Black and Gold.

Learning in Economic Quicksand

If you're scared, you're in one of the best positions you could find yourself in. Why? Because when you're scared, it means you'll take your time, dot the eyes, cross the T's and get the job done. And though fear is not the best motivator, it's one of the most lasting. I hope you don't need to be scared into being successful. But if you are, you'll probably be more careful and be sure to make it last.

----------------------

AN INTERVIEW WITH STEVIE WONDER

Well...not "the" Stevie Wonder
But he was a blind guy who I met at a concert.
And (OK) it was more like a conversation

that could've been an interview...

Anyway, he introduced himself as F.W. and we began:

He said he grew up around NYC - "No You Can't. . ."
Went to school at UCLA -

University on the Corner of Left-out Avenue. . .
Majored in Survival. . .
Lost his family in the supermarket. . .
And his favorite color was black. . . .
Needless to say, he had a sense of humor.

But his sense helped me enjoy the concert.
He taught me to touch the drums...taste the horns...
smell the bass...hear the melody...and see the crescendo....

F.W. wasn't born blind
As he put it, "It was an acquired skill"
And as he bid me good night, he said
"Swallow your pride and get a new cologne,
I may not see you around, but I'll be in touch."
I said "I hear you" - and we both laughed.

He gave me a Braille business card.
On the other side it said
All That I've Lost
Becomes My Gain
And his name,
Faith Walk


---------------------------
Reader, we are all on a Faith Walk. A Faith Walk is a necessary belief in yourself that says when one door closes, another will always open. Not that it would be a good idea... high probability... great thing to happen... another door will "ALWAYS" open. A Faith Walk is using our lives to live our lives. Recognizing that no obstacle is insurmountable, and that the only thing that we can't do is give up. In fact, I’ve got a new perspective for you: when one door closes, go for the windows! When you go for the windows you’ll put yourself in position to have a clear vision of what your choices are…

and we all have made good choices.

If you'll take the time to sit down and think about something or someone you've "lost," what you'll also tap into is the new level of strength you gained as a result. Before the loss, you probably thought you could never survive _____ or do without ____ . Yet you have. No, it may not have been easy.

Perhaps you mourned or were in pain

for several days, weeks, months, years...

yet you're handling it better than you thought you might.

Think about that loss and reread the above poem. Think about what you've seen someone else lose, and how they grew through the experience. Think about the blessing of the chance to use your life to live your life. Enjoy your Faith Walk… as you SHINE!

© 2009

Learning in Economic Quicksand

B.E.S.T.
I’ve always used “Better, Easier, Smarter, Tougher” to describe this acronym… talking about how we grow through practicing and focusing on the basics to become successful.

Recently, a good friend of mine, who is beginning her journey toward becoming a professional speaker, asked me to be one of her mentors. As we began to take her steps, she asked for some insight. When I responded, she expressed her appreciation, and we volleyed online. Here is the volley:

Sylvia D.: Thanks, I tried to come up with an acronym for best, but couldn't, so, I just say, you are the BEST!

SK: Bible Encourages Sporty's Testimony
Basically Enabling Sylvia's Too

SD: What a gift!
SK: Yeahhhh, probably because
Believing Essentially Strengthens Testimonies
LOL

As you grow in your speaking ministry, the key will be to release your creativity and see the world through 'your' eyes, rather than your audience's. Instead of saying (to yourself) that you can't come up with something... find a way. After all, that's what you're instructing your audience to do...

SD: What a profound statement, "see the world through 'your' eyes, rather than your audiences". I read that over and over again. I believe part of my fear of speaking is because I think I don't have anything to say. In fact, the reason we go to hear "motivational" speakers is because their testimony may help us in some way in our own life. We, or at least I never think about the fact that in sharing their testimony, they are helping us to see the world in their eyes or in a "different way", thereby offering a different perspective to the challenge or challenges we might be facing at the time. That's what it's about helping people to see things differently.

Thanks for the insight!

Sorry for babbling

SK: Awareness usually equals babble because it equals excitement! Nothing more exciting than being connected to your personal power through God's word. (ooh, that's a good one... I'll have to use it again)

You've definitely got a message and a lot to say. Start with reading 1 Peter 11: Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything thorough Jesus Christ.

I've got that posted at my desk to remind and strengthen me. What signs do you have on your walls at home or at work? That's where you feed.

Galatians 6:4-5
Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.


As I closed in my volley with Sylvia, I close in saying to you:

Pace yourself. You're on track,
Sporty

Learning in Economic Quicksand

One of the callings I enjoy is my conducting a Job Skills Training class at a family services center. Of course I start out reminding attendees that they are not to focus on a J.O.B. (Just Over Broke) situation, when they should be focusing on L.I.F.E. (Lessons Intended For Everyone). Some of the lessons I share are through my original poetry. This one is a message “about” attendees, “to” messengers: case workers, educators, supervisors, parents, perhaps even you, and certainly me….

I CAN’T SAVE THE WORLD
BUT I CAN SAVE YOU…

Every time I talk to my mirror
My revelation is the same
I can’t save the world
From all the injustice and the pain.

Yet, as I look around at the lives I touch
I’m reminded of something I fear
That my success might make me forget
About those who need me to care.

I could spend all my time with the media
And say that none of “them” are willing to work hard.
Or I can be thankful that I have the chance to make a difference
And recognize that chance as a grace from my God.

I can feed my spirit with my own personal thanks
Not “expecting” showers of praise from the people I serve
And I can relax knowing that I’ve done my best
Treating each person with the respect they deserve.

I can look back at the times I almost lost my temper
Now understanding that my disappointment was really concern
For who I thought was mature enough to take responsibility
Was actually only old enough to learn.

I can only help those who are willing to help themselves
By helping myself remain true
To the message I get from my mirror:
I can’t save the world
But I can save you!

© 2000 Sporty King

Learning in Economic Quicksand

SPEECHTALK

Sample words that we sometimes mispronounce. Capital letters show syllable that creates the contrast. Words in the left hand column are proper spellings and pronunciations of each word. Underlined words are those that are spelled correctly in either column, yet are often misused.

Someone you know needs to know this for interview purposes, networking or on-the-job interaction, and everyday communication. Help someone know that they may be working on a “SPecific” challenge, rather than a “Pacific” one (we’re ‘Learning’, not ‘swimming’ in quicksand). ;-)


conVERSE.......................... CONversate

SPecific.............................. Pacific

wiTH.................................. wiF, wiT

SHrimp.............................. sKrimp

I’m a giant, not a shrimp. So I’m not going to wait 6 more weeks to begin using specific words to my best advantage. Statistics show that when we can converse with all kinds of people, we move to a higher level.

Whatever you do, remember that words are powerful…
and consonants make our words.
Use yours properly and help someone S.H.I.N.E.

Be careful of how you say what you say
And may your consonants be your confidence.

© R. King and Associates 2002

Learning in Economic Quicksand

One thing people should be concentrating on right now is their vocabulary: teach one another that when we need to know something we “aSk” rather than “aX” questions. For, misuse of your vocabulary will certainly cut you out….

Someone you know needs to know this for interview purposes, networking or on-the-job interaction, and everyday communication. Help someone know that they may be “eSpecially” fond of working in a team environment, rather than “eXpecially” (would that mean they used to be?).

Over the next couple of Blogs I’ll pinpoint some of these words which I call “SpeechTalk,” because they are words that we sometimes mispronounce or misuse in everyday conversation.

SPEECHTALK

Sample words that we sometimes mispronounce. Capital letters show syllable that creates the contrast. Words in the left hand column are proper spellings and pronunciations of each word.

ESpecially ......................... eXpecially

Essential ............................ Assential

COGnizant ......................... cogniSENT

IMpact ............................... INpact

STAtistic ............................ SAtistic

(getting ready to) .............. finna
(going to)

I’m especially excited about how my life decision will impact the people around me. It is essential that I stay cognizant of the fact that I am so career oriented that I’m a giant, not a shrimp. I’m glad I didn’t wait 7 weeks to participate in using specific words to my best advantage. Statistics show that when we can converse with all kinds of people, we move to a higher level. I’m going to make that move.

Be careful of how you say what you say
And may your consonants be your confidence

© R. King and Associates 2002

Whatever you do, remember that words are powerful…

and consonants make our words. Use yours properly and help someone SHINE.

Learning in Economic Quicksand

As we go to work on maintaining a positive vocabulary, consider that the opposite of ‘Right’ is not ‘Wrong,’ but LEFT (Lets Encourage Free Thinking). You don't have a right and a wrong side.

Giving only the choice of Right or Wrong sometimes pushes children away and causes insecurity and pressure… because they’re so scared of messing up… because they keep hearing about what “these kids of today” don’t know and can’t do.

I define ‘Wrong’ as somebody else’s opinion of something you did that didn’t benefit them. Everything you’ve done so far has been right, because it was right for you based on the information you had, to make the choice. As you learn better, you do better. Thus… and acronym we're familiar with - LIFE (Lessons Intended For Everyone) – never stop learning.

One thing people should be concentrating on right now is their vocabulary: teach one another to know that when we talk to someone we converse. There’s no such word as “conversate.” And use specific examples, not “pacific” ones. For, misuse of your vocabulary will certainly drown you….

Someone you know needs to know this for interview purposes, networking or on-the-job interaction, and everyday communication. Help someone know that one of their traits is that they are people or business “orienTED” … not “orienTAted!”

Over the next couple of Blogs I’ll pinpoint some of these words which I call “SpeechTalk,” because they are words that we sometimes mispronounce or misuse in everyday conversation. Maybe I should make a button that says, “Correct somebody’s vocabulary today!” hahahahaha

Whatever you do, remember that words are powerful… and consonants make our words. Use yours properly and help someone SHINE.