Would Jesus Carry a Franklin-Day Planner?

May 5, 2009

We receive the Utah Valley Magazine thanks to the people who lived in our house before us. This month Stephen Covey was on the cover. From his interview, I learned that he has other people screen all his email, write the first draft of most letters, and only gives his cell phone number to his wife and to his secretary. (He didn’t mention this, but I’m assuming that someone else does his laundry, cleans his house, and cooks his food.) I learned that he is working on 8 new books. He has planned the next two years. I learned that he “disciplines” himself to “fill [his] mind with new information for at least two hours per day.” At the age of 76, he still has a full schedule of consulting and training governments from all over the world, including both Bush and Obama and their staff. The most important advice he could give to graduating high school seniors? “Write a personal mission statement.”

The next article in the same issue of Utah Valley Magazine is called “High School Students Who Will Change the World.” Principals from each of the 16 high schools in Utah Valley nominated one high school senior from their school who they feel best fits this category. Reading through the ½-page biographical sketches on each student, I was struck by two things.

First, when asked what their ipod favorites are, nearly half of the students listed 80s music among their favorites - who would have thought?!

Second, I realized that chances were high that each student would actually be successful in reaching their goals. But, how honorable are these goals? Are these kids focused on what really matters, or are they floundering without any real direction in their lives?

How Will You Change the World?
1) “I’ll be an example and get involved. . . “
2) “I am not afraid, and I have a deep love for people…”
3) “By helping individuals. . . “
4) “I don’t think I’ll become world famous, but I can change the world a little at a time by giving a smile here, a service project there, and by simply being the best possible person I can be.”
5) “I’ve learned changing the world doesn’t mean doing one big thing but lots of little things.”
6) “By constantly being involved. . . “
7) “I see the good in everyone and look for ways to inspire them. . . “
8) “by sharing a simple smile with someone. . . “
9) “I will be engaged, optimistic and persistent, seeking opportunities to make myself useful. . . “
10) “I want to promote kindness and acceptance. The most important thing can be as small as a smile.”
11) “The world can be changed by small acts of kindness.”
12) “A positive attitude!”
13) “Just taking it one day at a time.”
14) “By promoting others to be themselves. . . I can change the world by. . . being myself.“
15) “By being a good influence to all around me. . . “
16) “Attend MIT, majoring in physics and minoring in chemistry. Expand scientific understanding while spreading my conviction of the harmonious synergy between science and religion.”

Don’t you agree, that these high-schoolers will most likely all accomplish their dreams? And, was I the only one who noticed something different about #16?

Is being nice the more important thing we can do? Or should being nice be the way we are, but not what we do?