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Just Say Yes

Guest post by: Jim Stovall

Article Overview: For the past ten years, I have had the privilege of speaking with thousands of elementary and middle school students. The media would tell us that the state of our youth is alarming. While I would be the first to agree that we have some unique challenges facing us, this generation of young people is very impressive. When I visit with them, I try to focus on the critical issues they are facing, including drugs, alcohol, destructive relationships, and negative peer pressure. These young people have been pounded with the message "Just Say No." That message was brought to the forefront by former First Lady Nancy Reagan.

Just Say Yes

For the past ten years, I have had the privilege of speaking with thousands of elementary and middle school students. The media would tell us that the state of our youth is alarming. While I would be the first to agree that we have some unique challenges facing us, this generation of young people is very impressive.

When I visit with them, I try to focus on the critical issues they are facing, including drugs, alcohol, destructive relationships, and negative peer pressure. These young people have been pounded with the message "Just Say No." That message was brought to the forefront by former First Lady Nancy Reagan.

While Mrs. Reagan was full of good intentions and probably has brought a positive light to the problem, we must realize that "Just Say No" is not enough. I don't believe there is a kid in America who is unaware of the fact that they are not supposed to take drugs, drink alcohol, etc. The reality is, we have not given them a compelling enough reason to "Just Say No."

As human beings, it is impossible for us to have an emotional, spiritual, or intellectual void. Bad habits, ideas, or concepts can only be replaced with good ones. To go into an inner-city school and tell a group of young people to "Just Say No" is ineffectual. But, when you can somehow equate their dreams, their goals, and their ambitions to being able to stay away from what I call "The Dream Killers", then you have a reason for them to live a positive lifestyle.

The same thing applies to you and me. When we look at our own personal goals or the things we want to achieve out of this life, success generally comes down to replacing bad habits with good ones. Just saying "No" to the bad habit won't do it for you, but if you can fix firmly in your mind

the fact that success is dependent upon replacing that bad habit with a good one, you will find that everything is possible.

Say "Yes" to your dream, and the bad habits will take care of themselves. If it can work for students across America, it can work for you and me.

I look forward to your success.

Today is the day!

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Article Tags: Jim Stovall, Nancy Reagan, relationships



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