School Runnings - Yes, I Can

When was the last time you really helped your kids raise their self esteem?

• What do you tell them when they doubt their abilities or they are worried about what their friends think or say?
• What do you tell them when they are fearful about doing well in school, or when they face seemingly difficult odds?
• How do you help them know they can succeed?

With a culture filled with images and experiences that oftentimes ADVERSELY affect the way our kids see themselves, how can we help them to see themselves in a more positive light?

Jamaica is a tropical island famous for sun, sea and surf.

• Support?

  They didn't have any. Many people laughed at them and thought they were a joke.

• Money?

  They didn't have any. They sold T-shirts to raise the funds they needed.

• Equipment?

  They didn't have any. They rented an old inferior sled in order to compete.

With dogged determination and a belief in themselves and each other they did the impossible by qualifying as the members of their nation's first Winter Olympic Team. With personal and national pride on the line these underdogs competed fiercely at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada . The awesome foursome did not win a medal but they won the heart of the entire world. They have taught us that we can still succeed against seemingly insurmountable odds if we believe in ourselves and say "Yes, I Can!"

But Devon, Michael, Dudley and Chris Truly believed they could accomplish this. They firmly joined their hearts and hands And in one voice shouted, "Yes, I can!"

Most books will tell your child that a fairy tale figure will come and sweep her away from her difficulties and she will live happily ever after. Yes, I Can! tells her that she has the power within. Through perseverance, belief in herself and others she will live happily ever after with the efforts she made and the incredible healthy confident way she now sees herself.

Another important lesson from the Jamaicans we learned

• Success isn't always the results you earned
• Even if you didn't score high on your test
• Be contented in knowing you did your very best
• Set your goals, set them really high
• Shoot past the moon to the stars in the sky
• Spurned on by the courage that lives in your breast
• And an undeniable belief that you are the best

Yes, I Can! was released in February 2006. Order now for only $15.99. Part proceeds support Right To Play.

It is a book about....

• Following your dreams, not someone else's.
• Feeling afraid, yet going for it.
• Seeing opportunities instead of obstacles.
• Gaining respect, not just achieving victory.

Here's to following your dreams!