Good Morning,

Our future is our children. Their future is what they are taught and how they are encouraged, both by word and action.

Too many children, today, from all walks of life and social backgrounds, seem to be growing up with the I can’t do it mindset, being taught to blame others when things don’t work out the way they had hoped. These children grow up, living their lives that way and, yes, teaching their children and everyone who will listen the same message.

It is not nature, it is nurture. Every day we see examples of people who have risen out of the most horrific childhood situations and become happy, productive, and successful members of society. When asked why, almost always, they will give credit to some person such as a parent, teacher, church member, social worker or other who believed in them, encouraged them, and gave them a chance.

Being that agent of change is no easy task, particularly, when the young folks, each night, go back into that "You can't do because - - " environment at home. We can just try, one child at a time as we have the opportunity to do so. No matter where we are in life, we can help someone to believe in themselves and take the action necessary to rise up and be all that he or she is capable of being.

The world would be far better off with more YES YOU CANs!!! and less NO YOU CAN'Ts.

Jim