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Making Our Footprints Last | Jeff Cherry | TEDxYouth@OTHS


well good evening glad you took the time

well good evening glad you took the time to come out tonight to really celebrate

to come out tonight to really celebrate

to come out tonight to really celebrate the young people we have here at

the young people we have here at

the young people we have here at Thompkins we want to thank of course the

Thompkins we want to thank of course the

Thompkins we want to thank of course the student council for hosting this event

student council for hosting this event

student council for hosting this event and we’re very excited that you made it

and we’re very excited that you made it

and we’re very excited that you made it here tonight and I feel honored of

here tonight and I feel honored of

here tonight and I feel honored of course to be a part of it when they said

course to be a part of it when they said

course to be a part of it when they said footprints the first thing that came to

footprints the first thing that came to

footprints the first thing that came to my mind for me was my baby book I don’t

my mind for me was my baby book I don’t

my mind for me was my baby book I don’t know how many people have a baby book

know how many people have a baby book

know how many people have a baby book anymore but I have a baby book and a few

anymore but I have a baby book and a few

anymore but I have a baby book and a few years ago my mom came to me and she said

years ago my mom came to me and she said

years ago my mom came to me and she said you know what she said this was kind of

you know what she said this was kind of

you know what she said this was kind of sad he said well I’m still around I want

sad he said well I’m still around I want

sad he said well I’m still around I want you to have your baby book before I lose

you to have your baby book before I lose

you to have your baby book before I lose it or something disappears there and so

it or something disappears there and so

it or something disappears there and so I know for the kids it’s hard to believe

I know for the kids it’s hard to believe

I know for the kids it’s hard to believe that they had cameras when I was that

that they had cameras when I was that

that they had cameras when I was that little but nonetheless it brought me

little but nonetheless it brought me

little but nonetheless it brought me back you know if you have a baby book

back you know if you have a baby book

back you know if you have a baby book probably you’ve got the little lock of

probably you’ve got the little lock of

probably you’ve got the little lock of hair in there someplace maybe that first

hair in there someplace maybe that first

hair in there someplace maybe that first haircut and of course a little baby

haircut and of course a little baby

haircut and of course a little baby picture of who you are when you’re first

picture of who you are when you’re first

picture of who you are when you’re first born the one that every parent believes

born the one that every parent believes

born the one that every parent believes is the most beautiful child in the world

is the most beautiful child in the world

is the most beautiful child in the world of course we all know that that’s not

of course we all know that that’s not

of course we all know that that’s not true they all look kind of the same but

true they all look kind of the same but

true they all look kind of the same but that’s okay and also probably in that

that’s okay and also probably in that

that’s okay and also probably in that baby book someplace is that first little

baby book someplace is that first little

baby book someplace is that first little Inc footprint that you see it goes on

Inc footprint that you see it goes on

Inc footprint that you see it goes on your birth certificate probably goes in

your birth certificate probably goes in

your birth certificate probably goes in that baby book someplace and it’s that

that baby book someplace and it’s that

that baby book someplace and it’s that one that parents again kind of gloat

one that parents again kind of gloat

one that parents again kind of gloat over and it’s kind of frozen in time for

over and it’s kind of frozen in time for

over and it’s kind of frozen in time for posterity to go back and say wow that’s

posterity to go back and say wow that’s

posterity to go back and say wow that’s amazing

amazing

amazing I can’t believe how little their foot

I can’t believe how little their foot

I can’t believe how little their foot was when a baby’s born average foot is

was when a baby’s born average foot is

was when a baby’s born average foot is about three inches long and in the first

about three inches long and in the first

about three inches long and in the first three three years of life it grows on

three three years of life it grows on

three three years of life it grows on average of about three inches and then

average of about three inches and then

average of about three inches and then from about age three to six it grows

from about age three to six it grows

from about age three to six it grows another half inch or so and then finally

another half inch or so and then finally

another half inch or so and then finally by the time we’re the age of twelve it’s

by the time we’re the age of twelve it’s

by the time we’re the age of twelve it’s about 90% grown so it’s amazing how fast

about 90% grown so it’s amazing how fast

about 90% grown so it’s amazing how fast our feet do grow but honestly this is

our feet do grow but honestly this is

our feet do grow but honestly this is going to talk about the size of your

going to talk about the size of your

going to talk about the size of your feet but it is interesting to talk about

feet but it is interesting to talk about

feet but it is interesting to talk about what our feet will do

what our feet will do

what our feet will do what our feet do do and I do always

what our feet do do and I do always

what our feet do do and I do always think about when I think about feet I

think about when I think about feet I

think about when I think about feet I think about shoes and I think about

think about shoes and I think about

think about shoes and I think about Forrest Gump whenever he said mom always

Forrest Gump whenever he said mom always

Forrest Gump whenever he said mom always said there’s an awful lot you can tell

said there’s an awful lot you can tell

said there’s an awful lot you can tell about a person by their shoes and it is

about a person by their shoes and it is

about a person by their shoes and it is true you can tell a lot by people by

true you can tell a lot by people by

true you can tell a lot by people by their shoes and a lot by their feet but

their shoes and a lot by their feet but

their shoes and a lot by their feet but again this talk is not about shoes and

again this talk is not about shoes and

again this talk is not about shoes and it’s not about feet it’s about footsteps

it’s not about feet it’s about footsteps

it’s not about feet it’s about footsteps where are those feet going to go because

where are those feet going to go because

where are those feet going to go because quite honestly we’re going to take a lot

quite honestly we’re going to take a lot

quite honestly we’re going to take a lot of steps during our lifetime there’s a

of steps during our lifetime there’s a

of steps during our lifetime there’s a guy a couple years ago by the name of

guy a couple years ago by the name of

guy a couple years ago by the name of Jean Beliveau from Canada who finished

Jean Beliveau from Canada who finished

Jean Beliveau from Canada who finished walking completely around the world

walking completely around the world

walking completely around the world he went over 47,000 miles he went

he went over 47,000 miles he went

he went over 47,000 miles he went through six continents 64 different

through six continents 64 different

through six continents 64 different countries during that period of time it

countries during that period of time it

countries during that period of time it took him 11 years to do that 11 years

took him 11 years to do that 11 years

took him 11 years to do that 11 years and he went through 54 pair of shoes

and he went through 54 pair of shoes

and he went through 54 pair of shoes okay are you going to walk around the

okay are you going to walk around the

okay are you going to walk around the world well probably not in one

world well probably not in one

world well probably not in one continuous setting but in reality during

continuous setting but in reality during

continuous setting but in reality during your lifetime you’re going to walk on

your lifetime you’re going to walk on

your lifetime you’re going to walk on average about 4 times around the earth

average about 4 times around the earth

average about 4 times around the earth you’re going to put in over 20 million

you’re going to put in over 20 million

you’re going to put in over 20 million steps during your lifetime most of those

steps during your lifetime most of those

steps during your lifetime most of those are going to be incremental you’re going

are going to be incremental you’re going

are going to be incremental you’re going to walk somewhere between 7 and 10,000

to walk somewhere between 7 and 10,000

to walk somewhere between 7 and 10,000 steps a day during your lifetime and I

steps a day during your lifetime and I

steps a day during your lifetime and I know we don’t think about those things

know we don’t think about those things

know we don’t think about those things but where the feet go the head goes and

but where the feet go the head goes and

but where the feet go the head goes and we want to I want to challenge you

we want to I want to challenge you

we want to I want to challenge you tonight to think about where your steps

tonight to think about where your steps

tonight to think about where your steps go and what you’re going to do with

go and what you’re going to do with

go and what you’re going to do with those who will you meet who will you

those who will you meet who will you

those who will you meet who will you impact and make a long lasting

impact and make a long lasting

impact and make a long lasting impression in I really have four simple

impression in I really have four simple

impression in I really have four simple ideas that I kind of want to pass on

ideas that I kind of want to pass on

ideas that I kind of want to pass on tonight and talk just a little bit about

tonight and talk just a little bit about

tonight and talk just a little bit about the first of those is having an attitude

the first of those is having an attitude

the first of those is having an attitude of gratitude I know that this is a very

of gratitude I know that this is a very

of gratitude I know that this is a very simplistic concept an attitude of

simplistic concept an attitude of

simplistic concept an attitude of gratitude but the students that are

gratitude but the students that are

gratitude but the students that are sitting here tonight and many of you had

sitting here tonight and many of you had

sitting here tonight and many of you had me in class have heard me say many

me in class have heard me say many

me in class have heard me say many times where you’re born determines your

times where you’re born determines your

times where you’re born determines your destiny where you’re born determines

destiny where you’re born determines

destiny where you’re born determines your destiny and I truly believe that I

your destiny and I truly believe that I

your destiny and I truly believe that I believe that so many people do not

believe that so many people do not

believe that so many people do not recognize the fact that where you’re

recognize the fact that where you’re

recognize the fact that where you’re born when you’re born to whom you’re

born when you’re born to whom you’re

born when you’re born to whom you’re born is way beyond our control and for

born is way beyond our control and for

born is way beyond our control and for most of us and everyone sitting in this

most of us and everyone sitting in this

most of us and everyone sitting in this room what I can say that fairly

room what I can say that fairly

room what I can say that fairly confidently are very lucky people we’re

confidently are very lucky people we’re

confidently are very lucky people we’re extremely lucky people we have amazing

extremely lucky people we have amazing

extremely lucky people we have amazing opportunities that many people around

opportunities that many people around

opportunities that many people around the world do not have I get kind of

the world do not have I get kind of

the world do not have I get kind of preachy in class sometimes because of

preachy in class sometimes because of

preachy in class sometimes because of the fact that I myself feel very guilty

the fact that I myself feel very guilty

the fact that I myself feel very guilty oftentimes about how lucky I am to have

oftentimes about how lucky I am to have

oftentimes about how lucky I am to have been born to whom we’re and win and it’s

been born to whom we’re and win and it’s

been born to whom we’re and win and it’s an exciting thing to recognize that and

an exciting thing to recognize that and

an exciting thing to recognize that and I think when you do that and you feel

I think when you do that and you feel

I think when you do that and you feel that attitude of gratitude people see

that attitude of gratitude people see

that attitude of gratitude people see that in you they see that energy and

that in you they see that energy and

that in you they see that energy and excitement and passion and you and I

excitement and passion and you and I

excitement and passion and you and I think that that leaves a lasting imprint

think that that leaves a lasting imprint

think that that leaves a lasting imprint or footprint I have been fortunate to

or footprint I have been fortunate to

or footprint I have been fortunate to travel many places around the world and

travel many places around the world and

travel many places around the world and you know and many times it’s it’s the

you know and many times it’s it’s the

you know and many times it’s it’s the places that seem very touristy and we

places that seem very touristy and we

places that seem very touristy and we have these great opportunities to see

have these great opportunities to see

have these great opportunities to see these amazing landscapes but the places

these amazing landscapes but the places

these amazing landscapes but the places that have impacted me the most are

that have impacted me the most are

that have impacted me the most are places where I see the most extreme

places where I see the most extreme

places where I see the most extreme poverty some of the most disenfranchised

poverty some of the most disenfranchised

poverty some of the most disenfranchised people on the planet and the thing that

people on the planet and the thing that

people on the planet and the thing that strikes me or has struck me every time

strikes me or has struck me every time

strikes me or has struck me every time that I’ve been in those situations is

that I’ve been in those situations is

that I’ve been in those situations is how happy the people are it’s incredible

how happy the people are it’s incredible

how happy the people are it’s incredible honestly there’s some of the most happy

honestly there’s some of the most happy

honestly there’s some of the most happy people that I’ve ever seen again

people that I’ve ever seen again

people that I’ve ever seen again I feel seriously guilty when you’re in

I feel seriously guilty when you’re in

I feel seriously guilty when you’re in an environment where people do not have

an environment where people do not have

an environment where people do not have running water people who are not sure

running water people who are not sure

running water people who are not sure whether next meal is going to come from

whether next meal is going to come from

whether next meal is going to come from children who know that they’re probably

children who know that they’re probably

children who know that they’re probably not going to have the $2 a month it

not going to have the $2 a month it

not going to have the $2 a month it takes to go to school parents clearly

takes to go to school parents clearly

takes to go to school parents clearly not sure whether their child is even

not sure whether their child is even

not sure whether their child is even going to survive childhood

going to survive childhood

going to survive childhood let alone have any other opportunities

let alone have any other opportunities

let alone have any other opportunities and without fail without fail I find

and without fail without fail I find

and without fail without fail I find most of these people incredibly happy

most of these people incredibly happy

most of these people incredibly happy and the simple little things of handing

and the simple little things of handing

and the simple little things of handing someone a pencil or a notebook or a bar

someone a pencil or a notebook or a bar

someone a pencil or a notebook or a bar of soap or a hand-me-down t-shirt is met

of soap or a hand-me-down t-shirt is met

of soap or a hand-me-down t-shirt is met with so much energy and excitement and I

with so much energy and excitement and I

with so much energy and excitement and I think about us and I think about myself

think about us and I think about myself

think about us and I think about myself and how I don’t really appreciate how

and how I don’t really appreciate how

and how I don’t really appreciate how lucky I am in life but once we recognize

lucky I am in life but once we recognize

lucky I am in life but once we recognize that that we are very lucky people I

that that we are very lucky people I

that that we are very lucky people I think it will put a balance in your step

be curious let curiosity be your motor

be curious let curiosity be your motor you know Einstein we may not believe

you know Einstein we may not believe

you know Einstein we may not believe that completely about Einstein I have no

that completely about Einstein I have no

that completely about Einstein I have no special talents I am only passionately

special talents I am only passionately

special talents I am only passionately curious but there’s so much in that you

curious but there’s so much in that you

curious but there’s so much in that you know people say ignorance is bliss

know people say ignorance is bliss

know people say ignorance is bliss I don’t believe that I think ignorance

I don’t believe that I think ignorance

I don’t believe that I think ignorance is ignorance and it’s a terrible life

is ignorance and it’s a terrible life

is ignorance and it’s a terrible life not to seek knowledge seek information

not to seek knowledge seek information

not to seek knowledge seek information and seriously challenge yourself to be

and seriously challenge yourself to be

and seriously challenge yourself to be as curious about anything and everything

as curious about anything and everything

as curious about anything and everything that you possibly can the truth is most

that you possibly can the truth is most

that you possibly can the truth is most of us are very excited about our own

of us are very excited about our own

of us are very excited about our own hobbies the things that we like to do we

hobbies the things that we like to do we

hobbies the things that we like to do we get very excited about the academic

get very excited about the academic

get very excited about the academic subjects that we’re very good at or

subjects that we’re very good at or

subjects that we’re very good at or maybe a talent we have we’re very good

maybe a talent we have we’re very good

maybe a talent we have we’re very good at but what I say to you tonight and

at but what I say to you tonight and

at but what I say to you tonight and what I challenge you on is don’t be

what I challenge you on is don’t be

what I challenge you on is don’t be satisfied with just being good or

satisfied with just being good or

satisfied with just being good or knowledgeable in things you already know

knowledgeable in things you already know

knowledgeable in things you already know in truth for us to live a fulfilling

in truth for us to live a fulfilling

in truth for us to live a fulfilling life and for that to come through to the

life and for that to come through to the

life and for that to come through to the people around us we need to be stepping

people around us we need to be stepping

people around us we need to be stepping outside of our boundaries we need to be

outside of our boundaries we need to be

outside of our boundaries we need to be reading about things that we might not

reading about things that we might not

reading about things that we might not otherwise if you even thought about

otherwise if you even thought about

otherwise if you even thought about reading maybe watching documentaries

reading maybe watching documentaries

reading maybe watching documentaries talking to people that we might not

talking to people that we might not

talking to people that we might not normally talk to talking to people

normally talk to talking to people

normally talk to talking to people outside of our culture outside of our

outside of our culture outside of our

outside of our culture outside of our language doing anything and everything

language doing anything and everything

language doing anything and everything we can too

we can too

we can too learn because in all honesty for me it

learn because in all honesty for me it

learn because in all honesty for me it feels like a race when I was your age I

feels like a race when I was your age I

feels like a race when I was your age I got to be honest with you I was a little

got to be honest with you I was a little

got to be honest with you I was a little bit of a slacker I wasn’t like you all I

bit of a slacker I wasn’t like you all I

bit of a slacker I wasn’t like you all I can be honest with you I was not it I

can be honest with you I was not it I

can be honest with you I was not it I was not a guy that went hard

was not a guy that went hard

was not a guy that went hard academically I didn’t that didn’t come

academically I didn’t that didn’t come

academically I didn’t that didn’t come for me until later till college

for me until later till college

for me until later till college I had my high school guidance counselor

I had my high school guidance counselor

I had my high school guidance counselor pulled me in my senior year to talk

pulled me in my senior year to talk

pulled me in my senior year to talk about what college I was going to go to

about what college I was going to go to

about what college I was going to go to you know what he said to me Jeff you’re

you know what he said to me Jeff you’re

you know what he said to me Jeff you’re not college material

not college material

not college material whoo that would be bad miss Clark said

whoo that would be bad miss Clark said

whoo that would be bad miss Clark said that wouldn’t of course that’s not going

that wouldn’t of course that’s not going

that wouldn’t of course that’s not going to happen to you all because you guys

to happen to you all because you guys

to happen to you all because you guys are amazing and you have already had

are amazing and you have already had

are amazing and you have already had this advantage and you’re taking

this advantage and you’re taking

this advantage and you’re taking advantage of that right now but for me

advantage of that right now but for me

advantage of that right now but for me when I heard that obviously it cut I

when I heard that obviously it cut I

when I heard that obviously it cut I knew that I had capabilities but I also

knew that I had capabilities but I also

knew that I had capabilities but I also knew that I would not experience I mean

knew that I would not experience I mean

knew that I would not experience I mean I had not experienced things because I

I had not experienced things because I

I had not experienced things because I had not been as curious as I needed to

had not been as curious as I needed to

had not been as curious as I needed to be so for the past X number of years my

be so for the past X number of years my

be so for the past X number of years my job is to race I want to be as

job is to race I want to be as

job is to race I want to be as knowledgeable about as many things as I

knowledgeable about as many things as I

knowledgeable about as many things as I possibly can I want to see the world I

possibly can I want to see the world I

possibly can I want to see the world I want to do things I am very curious and

want to do things I am very curious and

want to do things I am very curious and for the rest of my life however long

for the rest of my life however long

for the rest of my life however long that is and again I’m not in a hurry to

that is and again I’m not in a hurry to

that is and again I’m not in a hurry to get to the end I’m going to be

get to the end I’m going to be

get to the end I’m going to be passionate I’m going to be curious turn

passionate I’m going to be curious turn

passionate I’m going to be curious turn off and tune in this is one that I have

off and tune in this is one that I have

off and tune in this is one that I have to talk to you about briefly I thought

to talk to you about briefly I thought

to talk to you about briefly I thought well when you’re going to do TED talk

well when you’re going to do TED talk

well when you’re going to do TED talk you don’t to be negative but in reality

you don’t to be negative but in reality

you don’t to be negative but in reality I got to talk a little bit about this

I got to talk a little bit about this

I got to talk a little bit about this whole idea of the iPhone and the

whole idea of the iPhone and the

whole idea of the iPhone and the electronic age that you all live in for

electronic age that you all live in for

electronic age that you all live in for a second when I googled this ironically

a second when I googled this ironically

a second when I googled this ironically and I said and I said okay what do we

and I said and I said okay what do we

and I said and I said okay what do we talk about here with turning off you

talk about here with turning off you

talk about here with turning off you know what the whole thing it got I had

know what the whole thing it got I had

know what the whole thing it got I had to go all the way back to back to 2012

to go all the way back to back to 2012

to go all the way back to back to 2012 to find an article to talk about what I

to find an article to talk about what I

to find an article to talk about what I wanted to talk about is oh what are the

wanted to talk about is oh what are the

wanted to talk about is oh what are the benefits of really detoxing and getting

benefits of really detoxing and getting

benefits of really detoxing and getting off the digital life that we’re on it

off the digital life that we’re on it

off the digital life that we’re on it took me that far back and so that was a

took me that far back and so that was a

took me that far back and so that was a little scary in itself and I can stand

little scary in itself and I can stand

little scary in itself and I can stand here all night and so could you and we

here all night and so could you and we

here all night and so could you and we could talk about all the statistics

could talk about all the statistics

could talk about all the statistics about how belong we’re all

about how belong we’re all

about how belong we’re all phone I mean we’re using our phones

phone I mean we’re using our phones

phone I mean we’re using our phones average person used it 150 times a day

average person used it 150 times a day

average person used it 150 times a day people are 3/4 of people are checking

people are 3/4 of people are checking

people are 3/4 of people are checking their phone every 5 minutes even if

their phone every 5 minutes even if

their phone every 5 minutes even if they’re not getting any kind of alert we

they’re not getting any kind of alert we

they’re not getting any kind of alert we know all that okay but what I’m

know all that okay but what I’m

know all that okay but what I’m suggesting to you is we are losing much

suggesting to you is we are losing much

suggesting to you is we are losing much in an age of socialization in reality we

in an age of socialization in reality we

in an age of socialization in reality we are losing much we’re losing that

are losing much we’re losing that

are losing much we’re losing that personal touch there was an there was a

personal touch there was an there was a

personal touch there was an there was a survey that was done a few years ago

survey that was done a few years ago

survey that was done a few years ago back in 2001 and they asked people how

back in 2001 and they asked people how

back in 2001 and they asked people how many friends do you have how many good

many friends do you have how many good

many friends do you have how many good friends do you have and the average

friends do you have and the average

friends do you have and the average number of good friends the people had

number of good friends the people had

number of good friends the people had back in 2001 was 10 I have 10 good

back in 2001 was 10 I have 10 good

back in 2001 was 10 I have 10 good friends they did that same survey in

friends they did that same survey in

friends they did that same survey in 2015

2015

2015 couple years ago and the response I have

couple years ago and the response I have

couple years ago and the response I have on average to good friends

on average to good friends

on average to good friends there are a lot of social issues that

there are a lot of social issues that

there are a lot of social issues that lead to this kind of situation however

lead to this kind of situation however

lead to this kind of situation however in an age of information in an age of

in an age of information in an age of

in an age of information in an age of socialization

socialization

socialization it’s amazing how sometimes we are doing

it’s amazing how sometimes we are doing

it’s amazing how sometimes we are doing things that actually are regressive I

things that actually are regressive I

things that actually are regressive I challenge you tonight to detox digitally

challenge you tonight to detox digitally

challenge you tonight to detox digitally we can measure our digital footprint but

we can measure our digital footprint but

we can measure our digital footprint but we can never know really what we’re

we can never know really what we’re

we can never know really what we’re losing in the process a couple simple

losing in the process a couple simple

losing in the process a couple simple things that I’m going to just kind of

things that I’m going to just kind of

things that I’m going to just kind of practical advice when you go to dinner

practical advice when you go to dinner

practical advice when you go to dinner at night with your parents or whomever

at night with your parents or whomever

at night with your parents or whomever you’re with turn off your cell phone

you’re with turn off your cell phone

you’re with turn off your cell phone entirely silence it get rid of it just

entirely silence it get rid of it just

entirely silence it get rid of it just like you’ve done tonight you don’t touch

like you’ve done tonight you don’t touch

like you’ve done tonight you don’t touch it at all because you’ve all been out to

it at all because you’ve all been out to

it at all because you’ve all been out to eat someplace and you’ve seen mom and

eat someplace and you’ve seen mom and

eat someplace and you’ve seen mom and dad both with their phones and junior

dad both with their phones and junior

dad both with their phones and junior over here on his iPad and nobody

over here on his iPad and nobody

over here on his iPad and nobody communicates with one another I’m sure

communicates with one another I’m sure

communicates with one another I’m sure you’ve never seen that or your parents

you’ve never seen that or your parents

you’ve never seen that or your parents let’s hope that doesn’t go on at your

let’s hope that doesn’t go on at your

let’s hope that doesn’t go on at your house but in reality it goes on in our

house but in reality it goes on in our

house but in reality it goes on in our society just a simple thing like that

society just a simple thing like that

society just a simple thing like that face-to-face interaction another thing

face-to-face interaction another thing

face-to-face interaction another thing that I’d like to see you practice is set

that I’d like to see you practice is set

that I’d like to see you practice is set a time at night 8 o’clock 9 o’clock

a time at night 8 o’clock 9 o’clock

a time at night 8 o’clock 9 o’clock whatever it is no more responses no more

whatever it is no more responses no more

whatever it is no more responses no more checking tweets Instagram snapchat

checking tweets Instagram snapchat

checking tweets Instagram snapchat whatever the heck the newest thing is

whatever the heck the newest thing is

whatever the heck the newest thing is you just shut it off and you spend that

you just shut it off and you spend that

you just shut it off and you spend that last hour

last hour

last hour hours whatever it is talking to your

hours whatever it is talking to your

hours whatever it is talking to your loved ones spending time with people

loved ones spending time with people

loved ones spending time with people because if you want to make a footprint

because if you want to make a footprint

because if you want to make a footprint on a lasting footprint in life it has to

on a lasting footprint in life it has to

on a lasting footprint in life it has to be with people and that’s what I

be with people and that’s what I

be with people and that’s what I challenge you with their service to

challenge you with their service to

challenge you with their service to others this is kind of a an obvious

others this is kind of a an obvious

others this is kind of a an obvious because we have a crowd here tonight we

because we have a crowd here tonight we

because we have a crowd here tonight we have a group of people out here tonight

have a group of people out here tonight

have a group of people out here tonight that do a lot of service everybody in

that do a lot of service everybody in

that do a lot of service everybody in this room is required to do service and

this room is required to do service and

this room is required to do service and I applaud you very much

I applaud you very much

I applaud you very much from for much of what you do and the

from for much of what you do and the

from for much of what you do and the attempts to do that because I do feel

attempts to do that because I do feel

attempts to do that because I do feel like we have a generation of people with

like we have a generation of people with

like we have a generation of people with a good heart people that care and you

a good heart people that care and you

a good heart people that care and you need to continue to feel that way but

need to continue to feel that way but

need to continue to feel that way but you also know there’s a little bit of

you also know there’s a little bit of

you also know there’s a little bit of this self gratification if you will or

this self gratification if you will or

this self gratification if you will or an opportunity sometimes to kind of

an opportunity sometimes to kind of

an opportunity sometimes to kind of boost

boost

boost maybe our resume I’m doing this

maybe our resume I’m doing this

maybe our resume I’m doing this volunteer work I’m going to dig this

volunteer work I’m going to dig this

volunteer work I’m going to dig this well in Uganda because it’s going to

well in Uganda because it’s going to

well in Uganda because it’s going to look good on my resume as I try to get

look good on my resume as I try to get

look good on my resume as I try to get into all the Ivy League schools nobody’s

into all the Ivy League schools nobody’s

into all the Ivy League schools nobody’s ever done any of those things have they

ever done any of those things have they

ever done any of those things have they I’ve had discussions with some of you

I’ve had discussions with some of you

I’ve had discussions with some of you you know that it’s so crits okay you

you know that it’s so crits okay you

you know that it’s so crits okay you want to get into great schools I

want to get into great schools I

want to get into great schools I understand that but here’s my challenge

understand that but here’s my challenge

understand that but here’s my challenge and here’s my point maybe those things

and here’s my point maybe those things

and here’s my point maybe those things helped you maybe they were a vehicle to

helped you maybe they were a vehicle to

helped you maybe they were a vehicle to get you where you want to go but if it

get you where you want to go but if it

get you where you want to go but if it ends the service ends when you’ve

ends the service ends when you’ve

ends the service ends when you’ve reached the pinnacle of whatever it is

reached the pinnacle of whatever it is

reached the pinnacle of whatever it is that you’re trying to attain whether

that you’re trying to attain whether

that you’re trying to attain whether it’s the right college or the right

it’s the right college or the right

it’s the right college or the right career then you have failed service is a

career then you have failed service is a

career then you have failed service is a lifetime goal it’s a lifetime lifestyle

lifetime goal it’s a lifetime lifestyle

lifetime goal it’s a lifetime lifestyle it’s something that’s critically

it’s something that’s critically

it’s something that’s critically important I believe that to better

important I believe that to better

important I believe that to better oneself and do it and the benefit of

oneself and do it and the benefit of

oneself and do it and the benefit of others is ultimately what we’re here for

others is ultimately what we’re here for

others is ultimately what we’re here for your parents probably or grandparents or

your parents probably or grandparents or

your parents probably or grandparents or whomever probably told you at some point

whomever probably told you at some point

whomever probably told you at some point you know it’s better to give than to

you know it’s better to give than to

you know it’s better to give than to receive

receive

receive and that’s true but but in reality

and that’s true but but in reality

and that’s true but but in reality you’re receiving a tremendous amount

you’re receiving a tremendous amount

you’re receiving a tremendous amount when you give of your time or your words

when you give of your time or your words

when you give of your time or your words you are getting so much more in return

you are getting so much more in return

you are getting so much more in return that’s service and I know that there’s

that’s service and I know that there’s

that’s service and I know that there’s going to be some people talk about some

going to be some people talk about some

going to be some people talk about some of the tremendous things they’ve done in

of the tremendous things they’ve done in

of the tremendous things they’ve done in terms of service here tonight but I

terms of service here tonight but I

terms of service here tonight but I challenge you don’t let it end don’t let

challenge you don’t let it end don’t let

challenge you don’t let it end don’t let it in next year two years five years

it in next year two years five years

it in next year two years five years down the road so again I leave you with

down the road so again I leave you with

down the road so again I leave you with four simple things again please be

four simple things again please be

four simple things again please be grateful grateful to your parents

grateful grateful to your parents

grateful grateful to your parents grateful to your community grateful to

grateful to your community grateful to

grateful to your community grateful to our nation to our school because you

our nation to our school because you

our nation to our school because you have tremendous opportunities continue

have tremendous opportunities continue

have tremendous opportunities continue to be curious in your lives it’s

to be curious in your lives it’s

to be curious in your lives it’s critical for your development as a

critical for your development as a

critical for your development as a person turn off and tune in invest in

person turn off and tune in invest in

person turn off and tune in invest in people I ask you to invest in people on

people I ask you to invest in people on

people I ask you to invest in people on a daily basis and lastly again don’t

a daily basis and lastly again don’t

a daily basis and lastly again don’t make serving a one-time thing make it a

make serving a one-time thing make it a

make serving a one-time thing make it a lifetime thing the great chief Seattle

lifetime thing the great chief Seattle

lifetime thing the great chief Seattle said take nothing but memories leave

said take nothing but memories leave

said take nothing but memories leave nothing but footprints thank you

nothing but footprints thank you

nothing but footprints thank you [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] you

”

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