Newspaper Page Text
EDUCATION
You can make all the difference
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Pay attention as you go through life; the most power
ful lessons to help you be successful are around you ev
ery day. Here are a few that have helped me, and I hope
they can help you as you enter the next exciting chapter
of your life... whatever that my look like.
If Not Me, Who? If Not Now, When? Ask yourself
this; it helps you step up and speak up when you need
to. This has guided me through life — just as it did my
mom.
You Define You. Never forget where you came from,
but remember, you are not solely defined by your cir
cumstances or your history; you can reinvent yourself
many times over if needed. Look at my story — nothing
about my background would suggest I would have end
ed up where I did. I created my own narrative. I be
lieved my mom when she said, “You can do anything.”
Not only did I believe her, but I helped others believe
it too.
No Borders No Boundaries. When I was 19, I was
asked to go open the company’s first restaurant in Aus
tralia. I had never been out of the state of Florida, had
never been on a plane (or any other type of mass tran
sit for that matter), and of course, I did not have a pass
port. But none of that stopped me. I said yes, and then
figured it out. The only boundaries to your growth and
experiences are those you mentally put up, or those you
allow others to put upon you.
“It doesn’t matter how smart you are,
how much money you have, or what a
great school you go to; if you can’t build
meaningful relationships and work well
with others to influence them, your
other attributes can only go so far.”
-KATCOLE
Be Curious. Have a Constant Pursuit of Educa
tion, and Have a Bias for Action. The most creative
and accomplished people I know have this in common.
They are constantly learning at every opportunity; they
know they don’t know it all. They ask, “why, how, why
not?” And, when they get the answers, they share what
they learn and do something about it. Your mind is
something others can never take away — feed it.
Volunteer. Give. For the job, for the community, for
those in need. We all need a hand up some times, and
giving of yourself is one of the best ways to learn, grow,
meet people and make a difference. The reason I was
asked to open that first international restaurant was be
cause I raised my hand to help with jobs others didn’t
want. After about a year, I had worked every job in the
building. Who knew that would make me the top can
didate for international travel, which ultimately would
change my life.
Life is most about relationships — if nothing else.
It doesn’t matter how smart you are, how much money
you have, or what a great school you go to; if you can’t
build meaningful relationships and work well with oth
ers to influence them, your other attributes can only go
so far. Even the coolest inventions and biggest compa
nies founded by one person only grew because of the
team they pulled together, and you can only lead when
others want to be on your team. Be kind, take pride
in helping others, and keep your word. Remember, you
never know... seriously... life is full of surprises (and kar
ma), so try to be your best self at every opportunity. I
certainly wouldn’t be where I am without so many great
people who have been kind to me and helped me along
the way.
There are others, but time and space won’t allow them
all to be shared here. So keep these final two contrast
ing points in mind. You have all the time in the world;
you are young and have a bright future. But! You have
to live and love like there is no tomorrow, because there
are no guarantees in life. If you want to change some
thing, say something or do something, do it. Don’t wait
for someone else to do it for you, allow someone else to
do it instead of you, or miss the opportunity, because it’s
gone. The world needs awesome, ambitious, kind, curi
ous, creative people to step up and speak up to continue
to make it a better place to live.
Best of luck to all of you. You can make all the differ
ence the world needs.
What do you want your
retirement years to "look like"?
Malt Shop, Movie Theater, Upgraded Apartments,
and a Fitness Trainer in a New Gym
Come by to
see what the
excitement is
about and receive
a complimentary
dinner for 2 at our
"Cafe 335" and a
$5.00 gift card for
your trip.
*Gifts limited to the first 50 people (over 65 years of age) who tour our beautiful community*
2013 is going to be a Big Year for Hammond
Glen Senior Community
Independent and Assisted Living
Nestled in the Heart of Sandy Springs
A Senior Community
404-256-6300 • www.hammondglen.com
335 Hammond Drive NE • Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Beautiful, Sustainable & Affordable Remodeling
Atlanta's full-service design and
remodeling firm, for over 20 years
Award-winning indoor and
outdoor remodeling for
projects of all sizes
Serving Buckhead,
Dunwoody, Sandy Springs,
and Brookhaven
Showroom - Fully-
outfitted Indoor Living and
Outdoor Living Showroom
Outstanding customer
experience
Fully licensed and insured
William Fadul, Co-Owner,
Green Certified Professional,
NARI Certified Remodeler
Atlanta
Home Builders
Association
NARI
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
THE REMODELING INDUSTRY
[770] 670-6022 www.MosaicGroupAtlanta.com
www.ReporterNewspapers.net | MAY 31—JUNE 13, 2013 | 21
