"I Think We All Need a Pep Talk…" By Caitlin Marsh

     "The world needs to stop being boring, yeah YOU! Boring is easy, anybody can be boring! You're gooder than that!"(Kid President)

I do not know how many of you have ever seen the video on YouTube titled "A Pep Talk from Kid President", but I can truly say that it is worth the watch! A young boy, around 11 years old, who calls himself Kid President, thinks we could all use a pep talk, using phrases such as "This is our time," and "You got air coming through your nose, you got a heartbeat! That means it's time to do somethin'!" This video completely inspired me, and so, here is a pep talk from me, a Montville High school student journalist, to you, the 21st century high school student!

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     It can be very easy to get caught up in the mundane, day to day activities of our lives. We lose sight of our goals, and get lost in schoolwork, papers, family.  We are pressured with idea that the decisions we make right now, may not be the right ones. We are scared of the next chapter of our lives. But wait! Weren't we put here for a reason? Don't you want to look back on your life and be able to say that you made it count? The answer of course, is YES! YES YES YES!

So, what are you going to do today to help make this life extraordinary? You my friend are going to put down the book, strip yourself of the stress of endless hours of homework, set aside your college applications (if only for a minute, of course) and embrace the bliss of spontaneity!  Look down deep and remember the dreams of that seven year-old boy or girl,-trust me, they're in there somewhere- and figure out a way to make them a reality! If we remember just for a second the joy of what some may call unrealistic dreams, we can find the courage to pursue them!

     Now, I am not saying that in order to live a life we are proud of we must completely abandon our academic excellence. Not at all. However, I am saying that it is important to not set your dreams aside for what everyone else thinks is the best choice for you! YOU are the controller of your own destiny!

On to a bigger and absolutely more relevant topic, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO! With the stress of SAT's, applying to college, and studying for countless tests, it can be so easy to doubt your true potential! With that being said, do not let yourself settle for the mediocre. You were put on this earth to do something amazing, whether it be helping or inspiring others, nothing you do in life should be "good enough." Make the ordinary extraordinary by living with passion, and never settling for less than your best. In the words of Napoleon Hill, "If you can't do great big things, do great little things."  In other words, the word "can't" shouldn't be a part of your vocabulary. Every feat, no matter how big or small, means something.

     So, in the midst of this dreary and cold winter season, I want you to, in the words of Kid President, "Give the world a reason to dance!" Use your full potential to reach your dreams, and inspire others to reach theirs!  Don't wait until tomorrow! "The time to be awesome is now!" And remember, "Don't dream your life, live your dream."

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     I am dedicating this pep talk to my friend Maddie, who is fighting cancer! She is strong, beautiful, and kicking cancer's butt! I hope that this pep talk inspired you to be the best YOU that you can be, so please, if you have someone who needs some encouragement, pass these pep talks along, and let them know that just like Maddie, they are strong enough to overcome life's obstacles, and live a life that anyone would be proud of!