This is Ron with your Motivational Message:
I want to thank you, my friends, for your kind words, prayers and support. It is because all of you that I had the opportunity to speak to nearly 1,300 high school students. The school has had some unique struggles, including the loss of two wonderful young people. As you can imagine, I felt a bit apprehensive as the gymnasium filled with energetic teenagers. I was fully aware of the responsibility I had before me in delivering a message that would not only hold their attention, but be relevant to their lives.
For 40 minutes I shared from my heart. Reading the expressions on their faces, I could see that this group was intently tuned in to what I was saying. I challenged them to pursue their passions, to tap into their potential and gifts as well as maintain a proper perspective on life. I encouraged these kids to reach out to one another: “I need you, you need me and together, we can make our
dreams a reality.” Life is a team sport and an important piece of making our life experience whole comes when we rise above our limitations through helping each other. Not only is this important to our growth and maturity, it is a precious gift to the ones we help.
As the assembly came to a close, students rose to their feet and many came to personally meet me. It was awesome to see such gratitude; it filled my heart and brought me to tears. One young man, in particular, put his hand on my shoulder and asked me if I needed a friend. With a big smile on his face, he said, “I want to be your friend.” He stayed beside me as long as he could and when he was urged to go to class he turned and said, “Ron, I love you.” Brent (the excellent principal) told me afterward that this young man was one of the students he worried about and that it was a big step for him to connect and personally share with me.
My feeling of insignificance vanished when the boy uttered the words “I love you,” and “I will be your friend.” It reminded me that in the midst of all my struggles, if just one kid’s life is changed then it is worth it all. The inward focus of success is often skewed. At times, I know my focus is on the large group. Oftentimes, the response from one kid is enough; and it is quite possible all that I was intended to reach. May we continue to press on, particularly when it doesn’t seem like our lives make a difference.
With gratitude to my new buddy for reminding me, I want to thank YOU for being my friend and to say that I love you!
To show my thanks, I have made a special video for you featuring one of my newest mouthpaintings:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZStRyXJDIY&list=UUSUzoifeoj–AyW5iXUw69w&index=1&feature=plcp[/youtube]
If you cannot view the video, please click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZStRyXJDIY&list=UUSUzoifeoj–AyW5iXUw69w&index=1&feature=plcp
With an Attitude of Gratitude,
-Ron