#tbt Me at my high school commencement ceremony! Fishers High School Class of 2019: congratulations! I know Commencement is a couple of days away & I am excited for y’all. I started at FHS with most of you when you were 9th graders & I am proud of how much y’all have grown. I didn’t meet some of you until later but I owe all of you. Y’all made the schoolhouse fun. As I’ve told many of you, your best life is outside of the schoolhouse, in whatever you choose to do next. But there are some things you might want to remember. If you bring the fun with you, everywhere you go can be fun. Get a self-care routine that enriches your health and wellness. Find a form of art you love and support it the best you can. Pursue and demand justice for everybody, wherever you go. Reflect often. Learn & use the power of a positive “no” and set boundaries in all aspects of your life. There is no substitute for daily preparation (thanks Mom and Pops for this one). Be an active listener. Sometimes you will need to stop and ask for help but be careful who you ask for help. Celebrate something, every single day of your life. Practice effective personal finance habits. Respect other people’s bodies by respecting their boundaries; no means no, stop means stop. Always consider how your time andtalent can help other people. A bad idea wrapped in fun is still a bad idea. Check-in with your family and friends often. On a daily basis, learn about something that is important to you. Be creative, even if it’s just humming or doodling on some paper. Surround yourself with people that love you, hear you, and accept you as a work-in-progress. Protect your dreams and goals. Be humble. Remember the opportunity costs when you’re making decisions. You influence others so be mindful of the influence you’re giving. You’re either adding or subtracting; you can’t be neutral on a moving train (thanks Howard Zinn for that). People are a lot like plants: we are all different, with some commonalities, and we have specific & unique needs for our growth to take place. Run your own race, stay in yo lane. It’s a marathon not a sprint. I love all of you! #existintheinfinite #jaaamaccordingly #thefunkyeducator https://www.instagram.com/p/ByGvV4EAW5a/?igshid=12bljwxqyzc87