Inspire Others

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

I've started a new job this month in a public middle school working in the library as an aide. It is a challenge as I'm not used to working with that age group. Part of my duties includes teaching a library class to 5th graders. They seem to have different attitudes than when my kids were that age - more smart alecky! But after taking a few to the principal's office daily for a couple of weeks, we seem to have come to a sort of agreement. They behave and I won't report them. Out of a class of 25 I'm happy to say that other than a few altercations last week that were typical for the age (talking all of the time, tipping chairs), everyone is finally listening to me.

You may ask what this job has to do with a MasterMind blog entry. Just this - I'm using the class to teach the kids to read good books and use the library, both of which hopefully will lead them to clearer thinking and expanding views of life that will help them fulfill their life goals.

I tell them almost daily, "There's a big world out there. You don't have to live in our small town all of your life. Go out and see it. You can always come back if you want. Think of what you'd like to be when you grow up and then start getting good grades so you can go to college to see your dreams come true here or wherever you live."

We have a world map on the wall. Whenever a student in the class reads a book from another country, I allow them to put a push pin on that spot. I also have a globe so they can find out where the country is in relation to the US.

My husband and I told our own three kids that same advice and they are now living in Indonesia; flying airplanes for the Air Force and making the Dean's List at college.

As a side note, I was thrilled - and somewhat surprised -- to find Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill in our school library. This was one of the first books my MasterMind group read to inspire us to set goals. I'm going to re-read it and point it out to several 8th graders at the school.

Are you using your opportunities in life to encourage others to live their dreams? Everyone is in a place where they can inspire others.

Until next month,