“Can Do” Attitude
OR
“What Can You Do For Me?”
We have always been faced with choices and these choices we make all have consequences. In “The everybody gets a trophy” generation however well-intentioned it may be, the bar has continually been lowered. When I hear that honor nights have been cancelled for those students that have studied hard to achieve academic excellence, trophies and medals are given to every participant in a sport, it is just an indication of how low this bar has been lowered. Questions are raised such as: Why practice so hard? Why study so long? The last thing we want to do is discourage our children from doing their best! We should want them to appreciate the benefits of hard work and determination to reach their goals and fulfill their dreams!
The best quote and most memorable one hung in my classroom over the chalkboard. It read: “If you think you can you will……If you think you can’t you won’t”. Self-reliance and determination should not be left for our schools to teach. They should be “taught” at home at a very early age. Our children will face many challenges in life and all to often we hear them say “That’s not fair” and instead of tackling the problem they face they “give up” or wait for someone to do it for them.
The whole concept of this post can be applied to many of the problems we face as a society. Perhaps if we embrace these concepts instead of waiting for someone to give or do things for us we would be much better off.