and I just want to share which are just a brief story about when I was growing
a brief story about when I was growing
a brief story about when I was growing up because there was a point in time
up because there was a point in time
up because there was a point in time where I was a little bit younger a
where I was a little bit younger a
where I was a little bit younger a little bit younger than some of y’all
little bit younger than some of y’all
little bit younger than some of y’all and then one morning I I ran up to my
and then one morning I I ran up to my
and then one morning I I ran up to my mom and my dad I said I know what I want
mom and my dad I said I know what I want
mom and my dad I said I know what I want to be when I grow up
to be when I grow up
to be when I grow up just as our friend of looted – earlier
just as our friend of looted – earlier
just as our friend of looted – earlier my mom looked at me my dad looked at me
my mom looked at me my dad looked at me
my mom looked at me my dad looked at me a little bit puzzled and they’re like
a little bit puzzled and they’re like
a little bit puzzled and they’re like what has our son come up with and I said
what has our son come up with and I said
what has our son come up with and I said I know what I want to be I said I want
I know what I want to be I said I want
I know what I want to be I said I want to be a fireman that way I can save the
to be a fireman that way I can save the
to be a fireman that way I can save the world and I know that’s gonna be my
world and I know that’s gonna be my
world and I know that’s gonna be my destiny my mom looked at me and she
destiny my mom looked at me and she
destiny my mom looked at me and she smiled my dad looked at me and he nodded
smiled my dad looked at me and he nodded
smiled my dad looked at me and he nodded and then about a week or so later to my
and then about a week or so later to my
and then about a week or so later to my surprise I was gifted my very own shiny
surprise I was gifted my very own shiny
surprise I was gifted my very own shiny red fire engine ooh and then and then
red fire engine ooh and then and then
red fire engine ooh and then and then after that point then I would run around
after that point then I would run around
after that point then I would run around the house say and I would go put out
the house say and I would go put out
the house say and I would go put out imaginary fires sometimes in my room
imaginary fires sometimes in my room
imaginary fires sometimes in my room other times in the kitchen and even
other times in the kitchen and even
other times in the kitchen and even sometimes depending on how bad it got
sometimes depending on how bad it got
sometimes depending on how bad it got sometimes there are some fires in the
sometimes there are some fires in the
sometimes there are some fires in the bathroom if you know what I mean and
bathroom if you know what I mean and
bathroom if you know what I mean and then I was just so excited to put out
then I was just so excited to put out
then I was just so excited to put out these fires I was so excited to run
these fires I was so excited to run
these fires I was so excited to run around all the time but then I started
around all the time but then I started
around all the time but then I started to realize that wait a minute
to realize that wait a minute
to realize that wait a minute firemen actually running the buildings
firemen actually running the buildings
firemen actually running the buildings that are burning right right
that are burning right right
that are burning right right then I thought I said I don’t know if I
then I thought I said I don’t know if I
then I thought I said I don’t know if I want to put myself in that kind of
want to put myself in that kind of
want to put myself in that kind of danger so that might not be the job for
danger so that might not be the job for
danger so that might not be the job for me
then I started thinking whoa well what
then I started thinking whoa well what else can I do if I don’t want to be a
else can I do if I don’t want to be a
else can I do if I don’t want to be a fireman anymore then my brother my
fireman anymore then my brother my
fireman anymore then my brother my brother and I happened to be watching
brother and I happened to be watching
brother and I happened to be watching the few movies at the time we saw a few
the few movies at the time we saw a few
the few movies at the time we saw a few hockey movies and then we started seeing
hockey movies and then we started seeing
hockey movies and then we started seeing these NHL players everything I’ve ever
these NHL players everything I’ve ever
these NHL players everything I’ve ever seen NHL players I love it and then you
seen NHL players I love it and then you
seen NHL players I love it and then you see these NHL players skating on the ice
see these NHL players skating on the ice
see these NHL players skating on the ice Shh
they made it look so cool I said wait a
they made it look so cool I said wait a minute I said dad wait a minute I said
minute I said dad wait a minute I said
minute I said dad wait a minute I said the fire the fireman was cool but I said
the fire the fireman was cool but I said
the fire the fireman was cool but I said I have another idea I said dad we have
I have another idea I said dad we have
I have another idea I said dad we have to go to the sporting goods store
to go to the sporting goods store
to go to the sporting goods store because my brother and I are gonna go to
because my brother and I are gonna go to
because my brother and I are gonna go to the NHL so you have to get us some
the NHL so you have to get us some
the NHL so you have to get us some hockey sticks that’s what has to happen
hockey sticks that’s what has to happen
hockey sticks that’s what has to happen right you tell your parents this is what
right you tell your parents this is what
right you tell your parents this is what has to happen because I’m going to the
has to happen because I’m going to the
has to happen because I’m going to the NHL so my father my brother me we
NHL so my father my brother me we
NHL so my father my brother me we powered into his 1995 Chevy Suburban
powered into his 1995 Chevy Suburban
powered into his 1995 Chevy Suburban with the blue stripes and then we headed
with the blue stripes and then we headed
with the blue stripes and then we headed out made our way down to the sporting
out made our way down to the sporting
out made our way down to the sporting goods store and then we came out with
goods store and then we came out with
goods store and then we came out with our very own hockey sticks whoa wait a
our very own hockey sticks whoa wait a
our very own hockey sticks whoa wait a minute wait a minute then we headed home
minute wait a minute then we headed home
minute wait a minute then we headed home because my mother had already purchased
because my mother had already purchased
because my mother had already purchased us some rollerblades at that time so we
us some rollerblades at that time so we
us some rollerblades at that time so we were out in the driveway and we were
were out in the driveway and we were
were out in the driveway and we were playing street hockey going back and
playing street hockey going back and
playing street hockey going back and forth and this was so much fun said oh
forth and this was so much fun said oh
forth and this was so much fun said oh yes the NHL
yes the NHL
yes the NHL that’s what’s definitely gonna happen
that’s what’s definitely gonna happen
that’s what’s definitely gonna happen because there are no other options at
because there are no other options at
because there are no other options at this point
this point
this point duh and then I started watching the NHL
duh and then I started watching the NHL
duh and then I started watching the NHL a little bit closer and then if any of
a little bit closer and then if any of
a little bit closer and then if any of you have seen the NHL by show of hands
you have seen the NHL by show of hands
you have seen the NHL by show of hands any of you ever seen hockey it’s rough I
any of you ever seen hockey it’s rough I
any of you ever seen hockey it’s rough I started saying wait a minute these guys
started saying wait a minute these guys
started saying wait a minute these guys are these guys are actually fighting and
are these guys are actually fighting and
are these guys are actually fighting and it’s not fighting like wrestling they’re
it’s not fighting like wrestling they’re
it’s not fighting like wrestling they’re hitting each other for real said no
hitting each other for real said no
hitting each other for real said no hockey
hockey
hockey ooh violent sport and I don’t even not
ooh violent sport and I don’t even not
ooh violent sport and I don’t even not ice skate guys so I said no no more
ice skate guys so I said no no more
ice skate guys so I said no no more hockey for me what am I gonna be is the
hockey for me what am I gonna be is the
hockey for me what am I gonna be is the million dollar question what am I going
million dollar question what am I going
million dollar question what am I going to be when I grow up now what am I gonna
to be when I grow up now what am I gonna
to be when I grow up now what am I gonna be such a difficult question and I know
be such a difficult question and I know
be such a difficult question and I know y’all hear it all the time just as we’ve
y’all hear it all the time just as we’ve
y’all hear it all the time just as we’ve been talking about all day what are we
been talking about all day what are we
been talking about all day what are we going to be when we grow up right
going to be when we grow up right
going to be when we grow up right successful there’s so many different
successful there’s so many different
successful there’s so many different things there’s so many different choices
things there’s so many different choices
things there’s so many different choices there’s so many options that we can be
there’s so many options that we can be
there’s so many options that we can be and y’all as I’m standing on this
and y’all as I’m standing on this
and y’all as I’m standing on this extremely large red circle before you
extremely large red circle before you
extremely large red circle before you today and as I’m looking at y’all’s
today and as I’m looking at y’all’s
today and as I’m looking at y’all’s bright eyes I’m looking at your big
bright eyes I’m looking at your big
bright eyes I’m looking at your big smile
smile
smile some of y’all had the opportunity to
some of y’all had the opportunity to
some of y’all had the opportunity to talk to outside I want to let y’all know
talk to outside I want to let y’all know
talk to outside I want to let y’all know that y’all helped me realize what I want
that y’all helped me realize what I want
that y’all helped me realize what I want to be when I grow up because as I’m
to be when I grow up because as I’m
to be when I grow up because as I’m looking into the audience and some of
looking into the audience and some of
looking into the audience and some of y’all want to be doctors some of y’all
y’all want to be doctors some of y’all
y’all want to be doctors some of y’all might want to be lawyers somebody
might want to be lawyers somebody
might want to be lawyers somebody earlier I talked to my man said he wants
earlier I talked to my man said he wants
earlier I talked to my man said he wants to be entrepreneur and sell his shirt
to be entrepreneur and sell his shirt
to be entrepreneur and sell his shirt line and then I realized that what I
line and then I realized that what I
line and then I realized that what I want to be is I want to be an individual
want to be is I want to be an individual
want to be is I want to be an individual who has the ability to look y’all on
who has the ability to look y’all on
who has the ability to look y’all on your face and I want to encourage you to
your face and I want to encourage you to
your face and I want to encourage you to do what you really dream about I want to
do what you really dream about I want to
do what you really dream about I want to be a speaker that’s what I want to be
be a speaker that’s what I want to be
be a speaker that’s what I want to be when I grow up because I want to
when I grow up because I want to
when I grow up because I want to challenge you students of TEDx here
challenge you students of TEDx here
challenge you students of TEDx here today if your dream is big enough for
today if your dream is big enough for
today if your dream is big enough for you to dream it then there’s a way for
you to dream it then there’s a way for
you to dream it then there’s a way for you to obtain it and I believe in each
you to obtain it and I believe in each
you to obtain it and I believe in each and every one of y’all here today I’m
and every one of y’all here today I’m
and every one of y’all here today I’m not sure if you want to be a fireman or
not sure if you want to be a fireman or
not sure if you want to be a fireman or a woman I’m not sure if you want to be a
a woman I’m not sure if you want to be a
a woman I’m not sure if you want to be a hockey player entrepreneur I’m not sure
hockey player entrepreneur I’m not sure
hockey player entrepreneur I’m not sure what you might want to be but I want to
what you might want to be but I want to
what you might want to be but I want to let y’all know that as I’m looking out
let y’all know that as I’m looking out
let y’all know that as I’m looking out into the audience and as I’m seeing
into the audience and as I’m seeing
into the audience and as I’m seeing y’all’s faces today because I’m also in
y’all’s faces today because I’m also in
y’all’s faces today because I’m also in grad school as well and in grad school
grad school as well and in grad school
grad school as well and in grad school we write papers raise your hand if y’all
we write papers raise your hand if y’all
we write papers raise your hand if y’all write papers
write papers
write papers okay okay in there and then if you have
okay okay in there and then if you have
okay okay in there and then if you have to take tests say yup one more time one
to take tests say yup one more time one
to take tests say yup one more time one more time if you if you have to take
more time if you if you have to take
more time if you if you have to take tests say yup I know it’s tough guys and
tests say yup I know it’s tough guys and
tests say yup I know it’s tough guys and girls it’s tough but believe me I want
girls it’s tough but believe me I want
girls it’s tough but believe me I want to I want to let y’all know this today
to I want to let y’all know this today
to I want to let y’all know this today because when I’m when I’m having those
because when I’m when I’m having those
because when I’m when I’m having those long nights where I’ve looked at my
long nights where I’ve looked at my
long nights where I’ve looked at my paper three and four times and I’m
paper three and four times and I’m
paper three and four times and I’m exhausted
exhausted
exhausted you ever get exhausted write in the
you ever get exhausted write in the
you ever get exhausted write in the paper you’re exhausted then you want to
paper you’re exhausted then you want to
paper you’re exhausted then you want to study and then you don’t want to study
study and then you don’t want to study
study and then you don’t want to study you’re like I’m done with that I don’t
you’re like I’m done with that I don’t
you’re like I’m done with that I don’t want anything to do with that anymore no
want anything to do with that anymore no
want anything to do with that anymore no thank you
thank you
thank you test no thank you but yeah when I get to
test no thank you but yeah when I get to
test no thank you but yeah when I get to that point I then began to think about
that point I then began to think about
that point I then began to think about each one of y’all and I get I began to
each one of y’all and I get I began to
each one of y’all and I get I began to think John if you quit right now while
think John if you quit right now while
think John if you quit right now while you’re studying for this test
you’re studying for this test
you’re studying for this test if you quit right now in the middle of
if you quit right now in the middle of
if you quit right now in the middle of this paper then when you go out and
this paper then when you go out and
this paper then when you go out and speak to those kids and you encourage
speak to those kids and you encourage
speak to those kids and you encourage them to chase after their dream you
them to chase after their dream you
them to chase after their dream you encourage them to do what they feel
encourage them to do what they feel
encourage them to do what they feel they’ve been made and meant to do when
they’ve been made and meant to do when
they’ve been made and meant to do when you quit you’re giving each and every
you quit you’re giving each and every
you quit you’re giving each and every one of these smiling faces permission to
one of these smiling faces permission to
one of these smiling faces permission to quit too so as I’m looking at your on
quit too so as I’m looking at your on
quit too so as I’m looking at your on y’all’s faces and I know y’all have
y’all’s faces and I know y’all have
y’all’s faces and I know y’all have heard it raise your hand if you’ve heard
heard it raise your hand if you’ve heard
heard it raise your hand if you’ve heard y’all and leaders of the future
y’all and leaders of the future
y’all and leaders of the future regularly have you heard y’all the
regularly have you heard y’all the
regularly have you heard y’all the leaders of tomorrow y’all have y’all
leaders of tomorrow y’all have y’all
leaders of tomorrow y’all have y’all have I know y’all have but I want to
have I know y’all have but I want to
have I know y’all have but I want to challenge out with something else I want
challenge out with something else I want
challenge out with something else I want y’all to know something else today from
y’all to know something else today from
y’all to know something else today from the bottom of my heart I don’t let y’all
the bottom of my heart I don’t let y’all
the bottom of my heart I don’t let y’all know y’all leaders of today are leaders
know y’all leaders of today are leaders
know y’all leaders of today are leaders of right now do you I believe that say
of right now do you I believe that say
of right now do you I believe that say it like you mean it they all believe
it like you mean it they all believe
it like you mean it they all believe that so y’all as I’m encouraging you to
that so y’all as I’m encouraging you to
that so y’all as I’m encouraging you to pursue your dreams as I’m encouraging
pursue your dreams as I’m encouraging
pursue your dreams as I’m encouraging you to chase after what you know you
you to chase after what you know you
you to chase after what you know you want to be because some people might
want to be because some people might
want to be because some people might look at y’all they might say wait a
look at y’all they might say wait a
look at y’all they might say wait a minute John these are kids
minute John these are kids
minute John these are kids it says Ted X kids these are kids they
it says Ted X kids these are kids they
it says Ted X kids these are kids they don’t know what they want to do they
don’t know what they want to do they
don’t know what they want to do they don’t know what they want to be I look
don’t know what they want to be I look
don’t know what they want to be I look at them in the face I say wait a minute
at them in the face I say wait a minute
at them in the face I say wait a minute slow down slow down my man excuse me
slow down slow down my man excuse me
slow down slow down my man excuse me ma’am wait a minute these are leaders
ma’am wait a minute these are leaders
ma’am wait a minute these are leaders and understand that
and understand that
and understand that every one of them are leaders I believe
every one of them are leaders I believe
every one of them are leaders I believe that they have certain passions that
that they have certain passions that
that they have certain passions that they’re geared toward and driven toward
they’re geared toward and driven toward
they’re geared toward and driven toward I believe that each and one each and
I believe that each and one each and
I believe that each and one each and every one of them have certain desires
every one of them have certain desires
every one of them have certain desires student clubs that they’re a part of
student clubs that they’re a part of
student clubs that they’re a part of particular classes that they think that
particular classes that they think that
particular classes that they think that when they want to pursue after that’s
when they want to pursue after that’s
when they want to pursue after that’s what I say I say wait a minute
what I say I say wait a minute
what I say I say wait a minute take it easy on these leaders because
take it easy on these leaders because
take it easy on these leaders because the future is literally in their hands
the future is literally in their hands
the future is literally in their hands and they’re controlling our destiny
and they’re controlling our destiny
and they’re controlling our destiny right I love it I love it so like like I
right I love it I love it so like like I
right I love it I love it so like like I said before I just want to give y’all
said before I just want to give y’all
said before I just want to give y’all some applicable tips because I can give
some applicable tips because I can give
some applicable tips because I can give you encouragement all day but if I don’t
you encouragement all day but if I don’t
you encouragement all day but if I don’t give you any tips that’s not going to
give you any tips that’s not going to
give you any tips that’s not going to help get you anywhere so the first tip I
help get you anywhere so the first tip I
help get you anywhere so the first tip I want to share with y’all today is as
want to share with y’all today is as
want to share with y’all today is as you’re going out and as you begin to
you’re going out and as you begin to
you’re going out and as you begin to have these things that you’re passionate
have these things that you’re passionate
have these things that you’re passionate about you’re excited about the first one
about you’re excited about the first one
about you’re excited about the first one says do your research research like we
says do your research research like we
says do your research research like we talked about before it’s not necessarily
talked about before it’s not necessarily
talked about before it’s not necessarily fun for class at times but like I said
fun for class at times but like I said
fun for class at times but like I said before if I never did my research about
before if I never did my research about
before if I never did my research about being a fireman and I saw they’re
being a fireman and I saw they’re
being a fireman and I saw they’re running in burning buildings I never
running in burning buildings I never
running in burning buildings I never would have realized that that wasn’t for
would have realized that that wasn’t for
would have realized that that wasn’t for me
me
me so therefore when y’all begin to do more
so therefore when y’all begin to do more
so therefore when y’all begin to do more research then you start to figure out
research then you start to figure out
research then you start to figure out what things you might have an interest
what things you might have an interest
what things you might have an interest in what things you don’t want to do at
in what things you don’t want to do at
in what things you don’t want to do at all and then you get to find out earlier
all and then you get to find out earlier
all and then you get to find out earlier so that’s even better and then secondly
so that’s even better and then secondly
so that’s even better and then secondly you have to apply yourself like somebody
you have to apply yourself like somebody
you have to apply yourself like somebody said earlier the information you hear
said earlier the information you hear
said earlier the information you hear it’s always great but when you take that
it’s always great but when you take that
it’s always great but when you take that information you hear it and then you
information you hear it and then you
information you hear it and then you directly apply it into your life for you
directly apply it into your life for you
directly apply it into your life for you and your situation then it makes it more
and your situation then it makes it more
and your situation then it makes it more sense and then it makes more sense and
sense and then it makes more sense and
sense and then it makes more sense and then you can begin to ask people like
then you can begin to ask people like
then you can begin to ask people like teachers like mentors different
teachers like mentors different
teachers like mentors different individuals like that you can say hey
individuals like that you can say hey
individuals like that you can say hey can I come to work with you for a day so
can I come to work with you for a day so
can I come to work with you for a day so maybe I can see if I like doing what you
maybe I can see if I like doing what you
maybe I can see if I like doing what you do for work and if not you’re like I
do for work and if not you’re like I
do for work and if not you’re like I don’t want to be a banker like the
don’t want to be a banker like the
don’t want to be a banker like the gentleman said earlier because you tell
gentleman said earlier because you tell
gentleman said earlier because you tell us the people the same thing every day I
us the people the same thing every day I
us the people the same thing every day I don’t know maybe maybe not right exactly
don’t know maybe maybe not right exactly
don’t know maybe maybe not right exactly and then lastly as you can see I’m up
and then lastly as you can see I’m up
and then lastly as you can see I’m up here this is passion this is raw passion
here this is passion this is raw passion
here this is passion this is raw passion like this is raw passion this is where
like this is raw passion this is where
like this is raw passion this is where raw passion looks like ah I wake up in
raw passion looks like ah I wake up in
raw passion looks like ah I wake up in the morning like that this morning wrote
the morning like that this morning wrote
the morning like that this morning wrote the best ah
this more this morning I woke up and I
this more this morning I woke up and I was a lion I was aligned because I knew
was a lion I was aligned because I knew
was a lion I was aligned because I knew I was gonna get the opportunity to talk
I was gonna get the opportunity to talk
I was gonna get the opportunity to talk to y’all and when you get to that point
to y’all and when you get to that point
to y’all and when you get to that point that’s what that passion looks like
that’s what that passion looks like
that’s what that passion looks like because you’re excited about doing
because you’re excited about doing
because you’re excited about doing something you’re driven by doing
something you’re driven by doing
something you’re driven by doing something but then passion if it’s not
something but then passion if it’s not
something but then passion if it’s not tied to a commitment I didn’t have a
tied to a commitment I didn’t have a
tied to a commitment I didn’t have a commitment to those things I have a
commitment to those things I have a
commitment to those things I have a commitment to y’all and I’m excited to
commitment to y’all and I’m excited to
commitment to y’all and I’m excited to be here with y’all and then if you tie
be here with y’all and then if you tie
be here with y’all and then if you tie the passion with a commitment and then
the passion with a commitment and then
the passion with a commitment and then if you’re not having fun doing what it
if you’re not having fun doing what it
if you’re not having fun doing what it is that you believe you want to do I
is that you believe you want to do I
is that you believe you want to do I would challenge you are you even meant
would challenge you are you even meant
would challenge you are you even meant to do that thing and really quickly I’m
to do that thing and really quickly I’m
to do that thing and really quickly I’m I’m really done but I want everybody to
I’m really done but I want everybody to
I’m really done but I want everybody to stand up everybody stand up everybody
stand up everybody stand up everybody
stand up everybody stand up everybody stand up stand up stand up stand up
stand up stand up stand up stand up
stand up stand up stand up stand up stand up stand up everybody hold up your
stand up stand up everybody hold up your
stand up stand up everybody hold up your right hand hold it up high
right hand hold it up high
right hand hold it up high hold it up high hold it up high and I
hold it up high hold it up high and I
hold it up high hold it up high and I want you to repeat after me because
want you to repeat after me because
want you to repeat after me because that’s like I said before we have to
that’s like I said before we have to
that’s like I said before we have to make a commitment so today is the day I
make a commitment so today is the day I
make a commitment so today is the day I want y’all to make a commitment because
want y’all to make a commitment because
want y’all to make a commitment because when we make a commitment then we have
when we make a commitment then we have
when we make a commitment then we have something that supports us because other
something that supports us because other
something that supports us because other people around us see we made a
people around us see we made a
people around us see we made a commitment they’re like I can trust you
commitment they’re like I can trust you
commitment they’re like I can trust you I’m gonna back you up I’m gonna support
I’m gonna back you up I’m gonna support
I’m gonna back you up I’m gonna support you right so everybody pay up to me say
you right so everybody pay up to me say
you right so everybody pay up to me say I will make a commitment one more time
I will make a commitment one more time
I will make a commitment one more time like you believe it I will make a
like you believe it I will make a
like you believe it I will make a commitment everybody have a seat
commitment everybody have a seat
commitment everybody have a seat everybody ever see and I want to
everybody ever see and I want to
everybody ever see and I want to encourage y’all today
encourage y’all today
encourage y’all today I would encourage y’all today despite
I would encourage y’all today despite
I would encourage y’all today despite whatever commitment you’ve made before
whatever commitment you’ve made before
whatever commitment you’ve made before today you might have committed to
today you might have committed to
today you might have committed to something than you might have said
something than you might have said
something than you might have said that’s not for me I want to challenge
that’s not for me I want to challenge
that’s not for me I want to challenge you today to go back and revisit that
you today to go back and revisit that
you today to go back and revisit that commitment or gonna make another
commitment or gonna make another
commitment or gonna make another commitment and I want to see y’all be
commitment and I want to see y’all be
commitment and I want to see y’all be great I want to see y’all do whatever it
great I want to see y’all do whatever it
great I want to see y’all do whatever it is y’all are passionate about doing but
is y’all are passionate about doing but
is y’all are passionate about doing but you got to do your research you got to
you got to do your research you got to
you got to do your research you got to apply yourself and then TEDx kids have
apply yourself and then TEDx kids have
apply yourself and then TEDx kids have fun thank you
”
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