River Ridge Excalibur Society

It’s time for you to stop looking in the rear view mirror and focus on the road ahead of you. If you do this, then you won’t be continually questioning what impact your past has on your ability to achieve success. Your mental mindset will focus on the clear windshield ahead of you and see a road of endless possibilities. Instead of talking about the good ol’ days and how things used to be, start speaking words of empowerment about who you believe that you are today. Say these... affirmations out loud: I am a giver! I am listening to inspirational material! I am prosperous in every area of my life! I am surrounded by people that love me! I am a champion!

One of Dr. King’s most important tasks in leading the civil rights movement was to convince the oppressed that they have the power to make change. When you want to bring people together and channel their energy toward change, you must impress upon them their own power, not just yours as a leader.

New Aim, New Dreams, New Achievements Everything Waiting for You. Forget The Failures. Correct Your Mistakes. Surely Success is yours. Happy NEW YEAR.

Remember Thursday, May 23 6pm to 7pm at the Woodstock CFA Dwarf House is the Kickoff of the new Cherokee County CFA Leader Academy! No matter if you are from a public, private, charter, or home high school program you are welcome to be part of this Leadership and Service organization!

So proud to announce the formation of the first Cherokee County Chick-fil-A Leader Academy! If you or someone you know will be in grades 9th -12th during the 2019-20 school year and live in Cherokee County then you are eligible to apply! No matter if you are in a public, private, charter, or home school program this program is available to you! An information Kick Off meeting will be held at the Woodstock Chick-fil-A Dwarf House at 6pm on Thursday, May 23rd. For more information email Jeff Bennett at [email protected]

One of my favorite moments for 2018 was just a week ago when 50 RRHS Leadership alumni got together for food and fellowship! It was wonderful seeing college grads, current college students and high school students participating in games, share experiences, and passing on wisdom. It was also special to welcome in new alumni and having alumni pass on their torch of leadership to a new generation. When many in our schools focus on test scores as a measure of potential achievement I can share faces of those are prove successful achievement. EQ is a better predictor of IQ than any national, state or county back room, governmental lobbied test.

Reposting the picture just for you Ethan so you do not feel cut out! One of my favorite quotes from yesterday’s youth summit from Ms. Yvonne- "We don’t come to fit in; we come to take over! @Yvonneinspires. Leadership takes confidence, courage, and action.

It may seem strange but there is an important leadership lesson we can gain from Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil: Come out of your hole - Too many leaders stay in their room or office. Basically their comfort zone. These are our versions of the hole. We step out briefly, and retreat to our safe, known world. Too many leaders spend too much time or frequently retreat into their hole. They are Adair’s of the unknown, failure, or just not being accepted. The best leaders... lose the hole completely. What does this mean in real life? Engage with your team and peers. Spend time with them, ask questions and listen. Of course there are times you have a project to work on or a major issue to confront. These times require the quiet to reflect alone, but you should never hide or stay hidden. If you don’t consciously get out and engage, you’ll become too much like Phil. See more

In preparation of a new year we need to reflect on some important lessons from the previous. Here are some lessons I have learned in 2018: The beginning of change is not dictated by the beginning of a week or month or year, but by the start of your willingness to initiate and commit to it. Don’t base important decisions on unimportant people.... I can do a lot moreand inspire more peoplethan I thought, and I can make things happen. Sometimes it is not about starting a new chapter but to start a new book. Even when you love what you do, there comes a point when you do too much of it that you start to resent it. You must take breaks, otherwise, you’ll burn out. Enjoy the journey. Put attention and focus on what I can do now. Enjoy the new year and where it takes you. Remember you are the navigator of your own ship and only you can determine where it takes you. Believe and trust in the Journey!

Congratulations to Kelly Popp on her Basketball Senior Night! I have watched this young leader push herself through injuries to be available for her team on the court or on the bench. Kelly’s leaders’ heart has always been a driving force in helping and caring for others. Through her genuine kindness others have grown to be better people and leaders. Your fellow Leadership Alumni applaud your hard work and want you to know we are proud of you!

Sharing Kindness Day 25 Challenge: Today reflect and record those feelings you had this month as you shared kindness. Continue into the new year experiencing those feeling by continuing your Random Acts of Kindness. Bless you all this holiday season and Merry Christmas!

It’s Christmas Eve!!! Christmas is coming!!!!!! Let the celebrations begin!!!

Sharing Kindness Day 24 Challenge: Today look around yourself look to your left and then to your right these are the people either in person, in pictures or in memory that have encouraged your growth as a person and leader. Be sure that you reach out to thank them or let them know what they mean to you. Happy Christmas Eve!