If you want to be better today than you were yesterday...

If you want to be better today than you were yesterday...

Walking through the quiet school today, I noticed a quote our MS students at Graettinger-Terril Community School District put up for others to see. It reads, "Judging a person doesn't define who they are; it defines who you are." ~Unknown

When I read that, it reminded me of our Every 15 Minute program from the spring of 2012...It reminded me of the day we lost Uncle Joe Kliegl to a massive heart attack...It reminded me that life is too short to allow the darkness to overshadow and smother the light...It reminded me that we choose who we are...It reminded me that I define myself, and that what others say is more about them than it is about me or you or the next person...It reminded me that I can make a difference, and that our students ARE making a difference. Finally, it reminded me of ALL the people who came together and worked very, very hard to positively impact our young people's lives.

I remember that day and especially what our actors and their parents went through: Mitch Girres, Baylee Marie Clayton, Maisey Ryanne Matthews, Morgan Matthews, Blaze Alesch -- Thank you, by the way, your commitment to that program had a very large impact on so many people.

After my previous post about the Facebook Defamation Case involving a 7th grade boy and his parents, I have renewed my commitment to making a positive difference (and not running from the negative presence, whether online or in person). I want to in advance thank those who are with me. Our kids are our future, after all. Remember, our days are numbered...

I felt I had to post again today because of the Verse that was waiting for me on my phone this morning -- I wanted to share it with YOU: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

Image Credit: http://www.nd.edu/

We have but only One qualified to judge any one of us. Imagine the world if we tried a little harder to walk in someone else's shoes, tried a little harder to ice [silence] our tongues which are burning insult and assumption, tried a little harder to bring light and shed warmth instead of turning away and offering cold shoulders. Simply trying, I am convinced, would be a good start.

"When you don't get the chance to say goodbye," what type of legacy do you want to leave behind? What type of leader, role model, parent, friend, colleague, etc. do you want to be? And finally -- Remember: You don't have to let the condescending voice of gossip define who you are or who your children are. That is up to you and only you. We ALL have room for improvement; that's all that needs to be said.

Daniel Pink, author of "Drive," says that the most successful people ask two things before going to sleep each night. I did this without fail before cancer knocked me down...and then, unfortunately, I lost focus and it got lost in the shuffle.

Cancer and all that accompanies it LOST; I plan to begin again -- these questions will "DRIVE" me:

1) How have I made a difference...How am I better today than I was yesterday?

AND 2) What's my sentence, my legacy?

How about you?

Thanks for reading and stay warm!

A message for our students... on entering their future career...

Something to think about, students, is the fact that more and more companies are using a person's online presence as his/her resume and background check.

What if Facebook was your resume?

             www.blogtalkradio.com/drgwenn (image source)

What does this mean? 

This means that your Facebook profile and other social networking accounts, the pictures you post online, the discussions you have on message boards, blogs you may post, etc. are all fair game for your digital personality, a.k.a. your online presence. Take a look at this article by Dan Schawbel, "5 Reasons Why Your Online Presence Will Replace Your Resume in 10 Years." 

Start now. Start building your "digital resume." Start censoring what you say online. Start thinking about how you want people to perceive you, what you want to do, and how successful you want to be. The world is changing as I type this message, and you are in the perfect place to prepare for your future, especially as it relates to technology.

How are you going to present yourself? How are you going to sell yourself?

Think about it as your digital footprints... are you planning where you will leave your footprints(?), or in three years from now, will you be trying to erase the tracks behind you? Take Mr. Schawbel's advice and plan your path. 

Students: If any of you have a start on this, please reply and post your web address to give examples for others to follow. College students' replies welcomed!!

A quick message to Teachers/Administrators: We, ourselves, are just learning, shaping what this looks like. What are we doing to help students make wise digital choices and to build their digital persona? Please share with students! If you know any students who have great examples, please share!