This week's content comes from the chapter on "Education"
"I remember the day I started college, the keynote speaker on our introduction day gave a speech entitled, "do what you are doing". He talked about focusing on the task at hand, whether it is studying for a test, working at a job, talking to someone, or just having fun. Try to focus on what you are doing without being distracted from outside influences. As simple as the statement is, it really made a lot of sense, and one of the only speeches I recall from my college days.
Since this is a chapter on education, and the speech was given at my first day of college, I will relate this to your school career. You will invest of tremendous amount of time and effort into school, with 16 to 18 years of school (assuming a 4 to 6 year college degree). While you are in school, your study habits and even attentiveness in class will be greatly influenced by this philosophy of "do what you are doing". Don't allow yourself to drift off, day dream or lose focus. While you are in class, be in class, be part of the class, be an active participant. When you are studying, study. Don't allow yourself to get distracted. You will have much more time for fun if you spend your study time in a focused manner.
And finally, when you are having fun, have fun! Don't worry about school or studying when you are out having fun. It is even important to keep your play time focused on playing. When you graduate college and start a full-time career, you will want to make sure that when you take vacation, you take vacation and don't bring your work on vacation with you. Do what you are doing."
Check out: http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "Education"
This week's content comes from the Chapter on "Driving"
"THE most dangerous thing you will do on a routine basis is drive a car. You can change your life in an instant and perhaps other innocent people's lives as well. If you were to die or get seriously injured in a car accident, it would not only destroy your life, but others that love you as well.
Don't Drink and Drive! You are not allowed to drink until you are 21. If you drink and drive and you are under 21, you will lose your license - don't do it! Once you are 21 and can legally drink, if you have been drinking too much (which is typically a couple of drinks or more) call a cab or a friend to drive you home.
NEVER get in a car with someone else who has been drinking. They may not be as responsible as you, and not care about drinking and driving. The only time Mom and I ever have more than a couple of drinks, is when we know we are just going to hang out with friends around the house or if we are on vacation. In both cases we are not going to get into a car and drive. If you ever need a ride home because you or someone else has been drinking, call us or call a cab. If you ever call us to pick you up because you or another driver has been drinking, you will NOT be in trouble - we will respect you for it.
Don't Street Race! Speed is the number one killer in auto accidents. Don't speed or race another driver. Don't let other people in your car try to get you to race someone else. It can be tempting to race someone or see how fast you can go, but it is not hard to lose control of a car when driving too fast. Don't get in a car with any friends that like to race or drive too fast. If this ever happens, make an excuse to get out of the car somewhere - anywhere! You are better off getting out somewhere then staying in a car with someone that wants to show off how fast they can drive.
Don't Use a Cell Phone While Driving! OK, I admit that mom and I sometimes use our cell phones while driving, but we have been driving for a long time and don't use our cell phones very often. There is no question about it, using a cell phone while driving definitely is distracting. You should pay 100% attention to the road when driving. Don't text while driving. That is absolutely insane, and illegal.
Don't Get Caught Up in Road Rage! People will cut you off and do other aggressive things to make you mad while you are driving. Get over it! If someone cuts in front of you, tell yourself that they are just "leading the way for you". It is no big deal. It can be a big deal if you get angry and start driving too aggressively, so let it go. Don't get behind the wheel if you are really upset about something. Take some time to cool off. Road rage can kill you!"
Check out: http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "Driving"
This week's content comes from the Chapter on "Drugs & Alcohol"
Drugs are illegal - so don't do them! You could end up in jail or have a criminal record, even for pot. There are many negative effects of drugs. Some are outlined below.
Pot kills brain cells, slows your reflexes, is bad for your lungs, affects your memory and learning, increases your blood pressure and impairs the body's immune system. It can also produce anxiety, fear, distrust and panic.
Ecstasy, a street name given for the chemical MDMA, is a synthetic, psychoactive , neurotoxic drug with many negative effects. These effects include: confusion, sleep problems, anxiety, blurred vision, acne like rash, brain damage, depression, addiction, paranoia, nausea, chills and sweating, liver damage and aggression. This drug is becoming increasingly popular and some may try to tell you it will not harm you - don't believe it! If you don't believe me, read about it for yourself.
Cocaine is addictive, bad for your heart and can even cause heart failure. It can cause strokes, seizures, depression, and anxiety disorders. Other effects include: sleeplessness, sexual dysfunction, diminished sense of smell, nausea, headaches, and can even create a hole in the cartilage between your nostrils. All around a REALLY dangerous drug. Stay away!
Crack is a smokable, rapidly reacting form of cocaine base, which is processed from cocaine. Extremely dangerous and immediately addicting. Try it once and you could be addicted for life. Stay away!
Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth) is another immediately additive drug. Regardless of the ingestion method (smoke, snort), users become addicted quickly, and use it with increasing frequency and in increasing doses - always trying to chase the previous high. Stay clear from this drug!
Heroin. Forget it! One dose and you could be done for life. Extremely addictive, body becomes dependant upon it and eventually your body goes into a downward spiral where it needs the heroin just to function. Withdrawals are something you would never want to experience. Once you see someone go through a heroin withdrawal you would never consider the drug.
There are other drugs as well, but I think you get the picture by now. Drugs can absolutely ruin your life. They ruin millions of people's lives every day. There is also an extreme danger of violence associated with drugs and people who deal them. Drugs are often linked to gangs and gang violence.
Alcohol. Although alcohol is legal if you are over 21, there are plenty of dangers associated with alcohol as well. The biggest concern by far is drinking and driving - don't do it!
Once you are 21, you will be able allowed to drink. If you are out at a restaurant or bar you should not have more than one or two drinks (depending on your size). After that you are probably over the legal limit (0.08) to drive a car. For a boat the legal limit is half that (0.04)!
Like anything else, don't let alcohol take over your life. If you choose to drink, do so in moderation. Don't drink every day, don't drink too much, and don't ever get to the point where you REALLY look forward to having a drink each day. Once you get to that point, you are starting to become addicted. Make sure you are in control of your desires. Don't let your desires control you.
Don't drink when you are depressed, because alcohol is a depressant. Alcohol will not solve any problems in your life, so don't rely on it to do so. Know you limitations with drinking. Know how you act and how your personality changes when you drink. Drinking will make you lose some of your inhibitions, but don't do things you will regret the next day when you are drinking!
Check out http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "Drugs & Alcohol"
"I remember the day I started college, the keynote speaker on our introduction day gave a speech entitled, "do what you are doing". He talked about focusing on the task at hand, whether it is studying for a test, working at a job, talking to someone, or just having fun. Try to focus on what you are doing without being distracted from outside influences. As simple as the statement is, it really made a lot of sense, and one of the only speeches I recall from my college days.
