Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you. It’s hard to believe this is the last weekend before school ends next week. From the time school restarts each January to the end of May, time sure does seem to fly. Some of you have made it to the end of your academic career and will now graduate from high school. This week, we salute you!
Quote of the Week: “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” –Muhammad Ali
Book of the Week: To celebrate our graduates—whether from high school, trade school, or college—I want to recommend a book called What Color Is Your Parachute? by Richard N. Bolles and Katharine Brooks. This book was created as an aid to find jobs by writing great cover letters and resumes. It will also touch on the art of networking (it’s often who you know, not what you know), interview strategies, and even getting paid what you are worth.
Joke of the Week: What did the graduation cap say to the tassel? You hang around; I’ll go on ahead!
Nugget of Wisdom of the Week: High school graduates, the most important thing I want to say to you this week is that I am proud of you! You’ve made it through 13 years of education and are now ready for the next step. To reiterate the quote from Muhammad Ali, don’t be afraid to take risks. Don’t be unwise and do things totally out of character for you, but once you assess the risk versus the potential reward, I encourage you to pick the option that is best for you and then go for it!
I haven’t always been brave enough to step out and try something I really believe in. That came much later in life. Had I been more courageous in my early 20s, I would have had a different career, but I was afraid to try.
Knowing your personality traits as well as your capabilities can help lead you to the correct place when it comes to a career. If something doesn’t work out, scratch that off your to-do list and move on to the next thing. You’ve got this!
Recipe of the Week: With party season right around the corner, I want to share a great recipe. Please forgive me if I’ve posted this before…but it’s that good!
What you’ll need:
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1 packet dry Hidden Valley Ranch Italian dressing
¼ cup chopped green bell pepper (optional)
¼ cup chopped red bell pepper (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. While the chopped peppers do enhance the flavor of the dip, if you have family members or friends who are allergic to peppers, it tastes just as yummy without them. Serve chilled with your favorite veg. Enjoy!
Shout-Out of the Week: This week I want to give a shout-out to all of the graduates and their families. Whew! They made it. Thank you for all of your love and support to get them to this point. Be safe, and have a good time celebrating those accomplishments.
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.
