I was deeply moved by President Obama’s speech to students today. I know if I had heard this speech when I was in high school, it would have had an enormous impact on my life. Because not unlike many of our youth today, I didn’t have many positive role models in my life to inspire or show me the way either.

I think we underestimate the impact a message like Obama’s can have on an entire generation. As a man and as President, Obama models well for our youth how anyone with enough hard work, heart, education and determination can rise above their circumstances and do something that matters with their lives.

Our kids need to hear more of these messages of hope and possibility from other role models who were willing to take responsibility for creating their own reality. People who were willing to work hard, to learn from failure, to never give up and who never let the word “no” or “can’t” get in the way.

In his speech, Obama said, “Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one
of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to
yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education
can provide.”

I’m sure that there were kids in that audience who probably had never heard someone tell them this was possible — that they had something good inside of them to discover. Just planting the seed of this idea in their young minds is priceless.

So, sit your kids down tonite and have them listen to the Obama’s speech. They may not be open to hearing about the importance of education and personal responsibility from you, but they might just listen,
learn and be inspired by their President.

Peace & Blessings!