>Encouraging Others
>Cordiality
>Character
>Peer Pressure
>Choosing What's Right
>Gratitude

Kay Sledge, Principal
Jonesboro, GA

Secondary Sample Messages

Encouraging Others

Good morning, (name of school). This is (name of narrator) with a few words of wisdom.

When you were very small and learning to walk, everyone around you was very encouraging. They probably said things like "Come on! You can do it!" With all that encouragement from others, learning to walk was much easier.

No matter how old we are – whether we are two years old or eighty – we all need encouragement from those around us. We need to be encouraged to be the best we can be. Now listen to these words from Goethe (GER ta), German literary genius:

"If you treat a man as he is, he will stay as he is; but, if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be, and could be, he will become that bigger and better man."

I wonder what would have happened if everyone around you had expected you to crawl the rest of your life. Do you think you might still be crawling?

Today, let's give each other enthusiastic words of support. Let's expect only the best from ourselves and each other. If Goethe is right, we can all be bigger and better people with a little encouragement.

With something to think about, this is (name of narrator). Make it a great day... or not. The choice is yours.

Copyright© 1992 - 2012 Project Wisdom. All Rights Reserved.

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Cordiality

Good morning, (name of school). This is (name of narrator) with a few words of wisdom.

How many of you have heard of the word cordial? It sounds a little old-fashioned, doesn't it? Cordial comes from the same root as the word courage and literally means "from the heart."

Ralph Waldo Emerson said:

"The music that can deepest reach and cure all ills is cordial speech."

When we are all cordial with others, we speak to them from our hearts, and when we speak from our hearts, our speech is cordial. In a world where too many people speak hateful, hurtful words, maybe we could use some old-fashioned cordiality.

You know, sometimes it takes more courage to be cordial than cool. Think about it.

With something to think about, this is (name of narrator). Make it a great day... or not. The choice is yours.

Copyright© 1992 - 2012 Project Wisdom. All Rights Reserved.

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Self-Responsibility
Character

Good morning, (name of school). This is (name of narrator) with a few words of wisdom.

In her famous diary, a very young Anne Frank wrote these words:

Parents can only give good advice or put [their children] on the right path, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.

Anne Frank is talking about self-responsibility which, in a nutshell, means taking responsibility for your thoughts, words, and deeds.

Our parents, teachers, counselors, and faith leaders can offer us valuable advice. They can recommend which path to take. They can share the wisdom they have gained through experience. But in the end, it is up to us to make the right choices.

Today, practice taking responsibility for your actions. If you make a mistake, admit it. If you hurt someone's feelings or say something you shouldn't, apologize. Learning to be self-responsible is learning to be a person of character, and being a person with character is a goal we should all set for ourselves.

With something to think about, this is (name of narrator). Make it a great day... or not. The choice is yours.

Copyright© 1992 - 2012 Project Wisdom. All Rights Reserved.

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Peer Pressure
Moral Courage

Good morning, (name of school). This is (name of narrator) with a few words of wisdom.

It takes a lot of courage to resist peer pressure, whether you are an adult or a young person. (That's right. Adults have to deal with peer pressure, too.)

To be a courageous human being can simply mean following your heart instead of following the group. Sometimes being courageous is nothing more than being your own person and thinking for yourself.

Here's what Cervantes, famous Spanish novelist, says about courage

He who loses wealth loses much;
He who loses a friend loses more;
He who loses his courage loses all

The next time you're faced with negative peer pressure, have the courage to follow your heart. You may lose a friend, but remember, losing your courage can be a much greater loss. Besides, if standing up for what you know is right means losing a friend, maybe your friend wasn't a friend after all.

With something to think about, this is (name of narrator). Make it a great day... or not. The choice is yours.

Copyright© 1992 - 2012 Project Wisdom. All Rights Reserved.

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Influencing Others
Choosing What's Right

Good morning, (name of school). This is (name of narrator) with a few words of wisdom.

How many of you know who Mahatma Gandhi is? Gandhi is a national hero of India, a man who made a huge difference in the world by teaching the principles of nonviolence. Did you know that Gandhi greatly influenced Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? One great mind influences another.

Now listen carefully to these words from Dr. King:

"We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that
the time is always ripe to do right."

Today, let Dr. King's words influence the decisions you make by remembering that it's always the right time to do the right thing. And remember this also: What you do influences others. Be a positive influence on someone else today.

With something to think about, this is (name of narrator). Make it a great day... or not. The choice is yours.

Copyright© 1992 - 2012 Project Wisdom. All Rights Reserved.

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Gratitude
Overcoming Greed

Good morning, (name of school). This is (name of narrator) with a few words of wisdom.

Anybody notice how greedy we human beings can be? It's interesting that greed and hunger are synonymous. In other words, they have a similar meaning. So the question is: What are we human beings so hungry for?

Lao-tzu (pronounced la OUT zu), ancient Chinese teacher, said

"There is no greater disaster than greed."

The Japanese say it this way:

"He who knows not when he has enough, is poor."

So here are some words of wisdom for those with a dangerous appetite: The fastest way to heal greed is with gratitude. When we count our blessings . . . when we focus on what we have instead of what we don't have . . . gratitude replaces greed.

With something to think about, this is (name of narrator). Make it a great day... or not. The choice is yours.

Copyright© 1992 - 2012 Project Wisdom. All Rights Reserved.

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