Key questions we should ask ourselves What are my core values, and how do they influence my decisions and actions? What passions or activities make me lose track of time because I am so engaged and fulfilled? When have I felt the most proud of myself, and why? What are my biggest fears, and how do they hold me back from reaching my potential? If money and time were no object, what would I spend my days doing? How do I handle failure and setbacks, and what can I learn from my past experiences? In what ways do I want to grow and develop in the next 5 years? Who are the people who inspire me the most, and what qualities do they possess that I admire? What legacy do I want to leave behind, and how am I working towards it? How do I plan to make this world a better place for mankind? Being private, and not telling everyone anything self care. Seek respect, not attention. It lasts longer. There will always be someone who doesn't see your worth. Don't let it be you. Be careful who you trust. Salt and sugar look the same. Don't have regrets. Just do better next time. Some things have to end for better things to begin.

Systems thinking The Iceberg Model Learn about the theory and practice of systems thinking. The Iceberg Model Systems thinking is a way of approaching problems that asks how various elements within a system — which could be an ecosystem, an organization, or something more dispersed such as a supply chain — influence one another. Rather than reacting to individual problems that arise, a systems thinker will ask about relationships to other activities within the system, look for patterns over time, and seek root causes. One systems thinking model that is helpful for understanding global issues is the iceberg model. We know that an iceberg has only 10 percent of its total mass above the water while 90 percent is underwater. But that 90 percent is what the ocean currents act on, and what creates the iceberg’s behavior at its tip. Global issues can be viewed in this same way. Levels of Thinking 1. The Event Level The event level is the level at which we typically perceive the world—for instance, waking up one morning to find we have caught a cold. While problems observed at the event level can often be addressed with a simple readjustment, the iceberg model pushes us not to assume that every issue can be solved by simply treating the symptom or adjusting at the event level. 2. The Pattern Level If we look just below the event level, we often notice patterns. Similar events have been taking place over time — we may have been catching more colds when we haven’t been resting enough. Observing patterns allows us to forecast and forestall events. 3. The Structure Level Below the pattern level lies the structure level. When we ask, “What is causing the pattern we are observing?” The answer is usually some kind of structure. Increased stress at work due to the new promotion policy, the habit of eating poorly when under stress, or the inconvenient location of healthy food sources could all be structures at play in our catching a cold. According to Professor John Gerber, structures can include the following:

As some of you know I'm working on a handbook for at-risk youth. I've put together a 5 part series complete homework. These lessons are geared to help build up their mindset. I would like your honest opinion on each lesson. Let me know if you see something that is missing or things that I should add. I want these lessons to be the best that they can be because I want the youth to be the best that they can possibly be. Thank you. Transform Adversity into Opportunity Lesson 1 Reading Lesson Life is not easy—and it was never meant to be. Everyone faces challenges: failing a test, getting cut from a team, family problems, stress, fear, or feeling like you’re not good enough. Most people think these moments mean something is wrong with them. But what if that’s not true? Think about going to the gym. When you lift weights, it feels hard. Your muscles burn. But that struggle is what makes you stronger. If the weight were easy, nothing would change. Life works the same way. Challenges are not there to stop you. They are there to train you. Every hard moment asks a question: Will this break me—or build me? Quotes to Remember “Pressure doesn’t break you—it reveals you.” “Fire doesn’t destroy steel. It forges it.” “Every challenge is training for something greater.” The Storm and the Trees (parable) Two trees grew in the same field. Both faced the same wind, rain, and storms. One tree had never been challenged before. When a strong storm came, it snapped. The other tree had faced storms many times. Its roots grew deeper. Its trunk grew stronger. When the storm hit, it bent—but it did not fall. Same storm, but there were different results because one was prepared and the other wasn't. Think About This Challenges doesn’t choose favorites. The difference is how you respond. You don’t control what happens to you. You do control what you become because of it. Reflection Questions (Answer in Complete Sentences) What is a challenge you are facing right now? How do you usually react when things get hard?

​The Architecture of Reality: Imagination over Fact Let man disregard use of imagination can man accept “Nothing stands between man and the fulfillment of his dreams but facts (the evidence of the senses). And facts are the creations of imagining. If man changes his imagining, he will change the facts. Neville Goddard ​At the heart of Neville’s philosophy is the belief that imagination is the ultimate reality. Most people operate under the "evidence of the senses," believing that what they see, touch, and hear dictates what is possible. If your bank account is empty, you believe you are poor; if you are alone, you believe you are unloved. Neville calls these "facts," but he argues they are not permanent truths—they are merely the solidified results of past imaginings. ​The Illusion of "Facts" ​The essay suggests that "facts" are not obstacles but mirrors. When Neville says "facts are the creations of imagining," he is suggesting that our dominant thoughts, feelings, and mental images eventually "harden into fact" in the physical world. Therefore, looking at a current "fact" and feeling defeated by it is like looking at a photograph you don't like and blaming the paper. The "negative" was created in the darkroom of the mind long before it appeared in the physical world. ​The Power of Revision ​The most empowering—and perhaps most difficult—part of this quote is the bridge to fulfillment: "If man changes his imagining, he will change the facts." This implies that we are not victims of circumstance, but architects of it. By consciously withdrawing our attention from the "evidence of the senses" (the current problem) and focusing entirely on the "fulfillment of the dream" (the desired end), we initiate a change in our external reality. ​In this view, the only thing "standing between" a person and their dream is their own insistence on believing that the current physical facts are more real than their internal vision. ​Reflective Questions ​These questions are designed to help you examine where your "facts" might be limiting your potential:

Who is your hero? I hope that you said that you are your own hero. A hero isn't a Superman or batman. A hero is simply a protector. Are you protecting your peace of mind, your sanity, your integrity, your honor? You should not only be your own hero, but you should also be your best friend and your own cheerleader. Bear Warrior Gonzales