Good Morning! When Samantha was eleven-years-old she participated in several camp programs through the Milwaukee Public Museum. Group activities and group sports were held each afternoon.

Here is an entry I wrote one night after camp that is a personal "Sammy-favorite."

I have been traveling for a week so when I landed tonight I picked up Sammy for a "girls' night" to catch up. She was detailing the camp and the different students and the daily structure of the program.

Sammy has become more and more athletic, although she is not what I would call "naturally athletic." However she has learned sports are much like any area of life-part of it is natural talent and the other part is what you do with what you have. With that mentality, she has learned to excel..

In this particular camp there was a girl who was struggling with group sports and group sport activities. During kickball she would often miss the ball completely or just punt a few feet and was constantly "out" without making it to base.

Sammy pulled her aside and said, "You don't have to be naturally good at sports or super athletic to be a good player. It isn't about kicking the ball hard or with force, but with confidence. Bring confidence to your kick and the ball will respond." (In case you were wondering-this is an exact quote. Sammy has an amazing vocabulary and delivery. While I was traveling I asked her during a phone conversation why she was upset, as she sounded bothered, and she said, "Mother I am upset about multiple issues.")

Back to our kickball story - so this girl went up to kick and took Sammy's advice. She kicked the ball hard enough to make it all the way to second base. Then she ran with confidence on the subsequent teammate kicks and made it to home-plate for her first time.

Your Turn: Where in your life have you been thinking you need some "secret to success" or special talent to achieve the results you desire? Try following an 11-year-old's advice. Approach your goal with confidence- you will be pleasantly surprised at how it responds. Use confidence and positive reinforcement to overcome the opinions of others and shine anyway... then make it to "home plate" for the goal of your choice.

Today's Affirmation: I approach my actions and goals with confidence.

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Summer Special

August 4 - 31

Register for any online class and receive a voucher to use for another course-- free!Register for 2 courses, receive 2 vouchers.
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Register for any of the seven online classes below and for each class you register for you will receive a voucher for another course of your choice free. Vouchers are good for 2 years.
 

Here are the seven classes remaining in 2009:

Starts August 26: Searching for Something: How to discover and live your values, passions and purpose
Starts August 10: Paper Piles & Files: How to build a manageable file and reference system for archival paper
Starts September 7: High Energy Living: 5 Weeks to Optimal Energy and Rejuvenate Mind, Body & Soul
Starts September 14: Extreme Home Makeover: 10 Weeks to the Home You Want

Starts October 10: The 10 Weeks of Christmas: Your Journey to a Stress-Free and Celebratory Holiday

Starts October 26: Everyday Paper Piles: How to Manage Every Day Paper and Stay On Top of It (Instead of Beneath!)
Starts November 9: Self-Discovery Workshop

To learn more about any of these course please visit:http://www.maketodaymatter.net/classes.htm