Hope

Hope.  We use this word a lot.  I hope I get that new job.  I hope I do well on this test.  I hope I make a lot of money one day.  The problem with this type of hope is that it is passive.  We see this so many times with our students.  They want so many things, they hope for so many things.  They hope to play in the NFL.  They hope to be a doctor or a lawyer.  They hope to be a Youtube star.  While hope is vitally important for our students, it is the action associated with that hope that is key to success.  We want our students to have hope.  In fact, I would argue, that this foundation is necessary for any success for our students.  They have to have a goal.  They have to have a dream.  That hope in a bright future is what is necessary so when the work gets hard, it is that hope that will sustain them.  But then we have to put in the work.  We talked with students this week about two things: respect and hard work.  The ability to work hard, no matter what we do in life, is important to success.  This week we are going to talk a lot about hope.  Specifically we are going to talk to students about what they want to do with their lives and HOW they plan to get there.  We don't expect our student to have all the answers right now.  What we want to know is where their hearts are.  And... do they know how to get there.  The goal is important.  The dream is important.  The hope is vital.  But without the road map to get to the destination, the dream is dead before it begins.  Help us this week to breathe hope and life into our students.  Talk with your kids about their hopes and dreams and HOW they plan to get there.    

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