Cupcakes of Love!

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

-Leo F. Buscaglia

Our eyes lit up when we saw chocolate cupcakes sitting on Mrs. Caffey’s table Thursday morning. Food NEVER fails at winning a place in our hearts, especially sugar! Along with the delightful taste of the wonderful cupcakes, Mrs. Caffey provided our class with a small note saying “Pay it forward”.  She smiled as she hinted the small note that held those meaningful words towards our beloved peers in fourth hour. So here I am tonight writing my blog as the “Pay it Forward” cupcakes are in the oven!

How did this rivalry between Mrs. Caffey’s third hour and fourth senior English classes begin? It is a tad silly if you ask me and I am referring back to my six words from last week which stated, “I’m a lover not a fighter.” Don’t worry third hour, Mud has got your back. Not only will fourth hour be surprised by cupcakes but cupcakes on a Monday. Now if cupcakes on a Monday don’t lead to forgiveness just remember I will still have your back!

Well I would love to sit here and talk about cupcakes all night but I am aiming to get a message across rather than the loveliness of cupcakes…

When we pay a kind act forward we think of it as effortless. Truthfully, a small act of kindness has more meaning than we know it. When a kind act is performed to another individual it results with a smile and a beautiful feeling inside of us. We realize that there are people who care for us and aim to put a smile on our face which make us feel content. I have learned throughout my life that “happy” is the right place to be. There have been several times in my life where I have done things for others and not expected anything in return. Knowing that I have been able to be beneficial towards others and help out in any way is payment in itself. It is crazy to think that there are people in this world that think of this as strange. Luckily, I am surrounded by people every day that I can look up to for inspiration to perform kind acts for others. I am proud to say a majority of these people are my classmates and teachers who I admire for setting an example for me.

My family has done an unbelievable job at raising me and guiding me to practice amazing morals. Doing kind acts for others is one of the most meaningful values I have learned throughout my life. I inspire my classmates to continue “paying it forward”. Putting a smile on someone’s face is one of the best things we can do.

P.S. Fourth hour loves us! They better after these cupcakes. ;)

The Senioritis Fever...

It has reached that time of the year. All I know is that there is a severe case of senioritis going around, and I have this specific illness badly. As I have felt the effects kicking in I have witnessed classmates dragging just like the school days have been. At this rate ten weeks feels like a good distance away but I know when the glorious day of graduation is here I will be wishing that time would have dragged longer. Although it is getting tougher to stay focused in school each day I try to remember to finish the year strong.

Over the past week I have seen some of my classmates and very close friends suffer from the “fever”. Whether it has been the fever or simply just an abnormal funk it is evident that these close friends of mine have been acting strangely. If only a magical cure could be created to get rid of the illness we call senioritis but every senior experiences it the second semester of senior year. For my two buddies who have been in a funk, life is not over so finish strong.

Friend #1,

ISS is not the best place on earth. I understand that basketball ended roughly and not the way that you had hoped but there is a grand world of athletics beyond high school. Throughout the fours years that you were in involved in basketball here in high school I have seen a tremendous development in both your skill and desire. One of my best high school memories was sitting in the stands at the Jobing.com arena in 2011 with a huge smile as I watched a reflection of myself go crazy in the jumbo tron. You were a part of that state championship team and you should take pride in this grand accomplishment more often. With your superior talent, you can accomplishment even greater things. Snap out of that funk boy, your on your way to incredible adventures in life but only if you decide that there are better places than ISS...


Friend #2,
Thank goodness for Mrs. Caffey and her incredible motivation talks! It's true my dear classmates, dropping out is lame. I see a load of potential awaiting you in your future my friend. You are a talented young man with hopes of attending college in the fall and keeping contact with the next level of athletics. You played an outstanding senior season of basketball and did a great job of illustrating leadership skills on the court. Just smile and reflect on the unforgettable memory of the state championship title you helped win in your high school experience. Take that knowledge of yours and make it useful. This funk must go! I enjoy your spirit and your ability to make me laugh. Ten weeks is short so make beneficial decisions.

P.S. I wish nothing but the best for you Jalen and Rashaun. The potential is there waiting for you. One bad game is not the end of your world. Reconnect with your desire and open the doors to your future; you will be amazed by what is there.