Today’s Twitter and Facebook updates featured this quote, which I have decided to blog about today in reference to education. The update read "they say your past will catch up with you, but I say only if you are standing still."

Follow up:

Parents, Educators and Students, let me take you back to a time when life was a struggle, when grades weren't excellent, and choices were questionable; yes, we are going back to High School. At Cypress Fairbanks Senior High (B.F.N.D. to all my fellow Bobcats!!!!!) I closed out my senior year (class of '93 still the best class to run the campus (sorry '94 my sisters class :)), having fun and making plans towards my freshman year in college. I knew that my current study habits, and social life would make a good movie, but not a successful student, thus I graduated on a mission. One that had the challenge of striving towards academic excellence, and cementing a legacy to those to follow that was worthy of those that had gone before me.

Senior year, came and went, and Freshman year came in like a northern wind. I stood on the campus of Virginia Union University and entitled scene 1 of Freshman year, "The Past is the Past!" In other words, I was going to start a fresh and form some new habits, ones that were suitable for the person I knew God was calling me to be, and that others had spoken I was capable to become.

I took to the material as though I had wandered a desert for 6 months, and was at the table for a home cooked meal. I devoured everything in sight. I was working hard, and around month 2, I lost some momentum. One of the librarians told me that she didn't think I would graduate, thus the next three years were spent working towards going to the library and letting her read my name on my graduation certificate!!!! Again, the statement, "The Past is the Past!" I rededicated myself to a fresh start and made Deans List and stayed in the honors dorm from Sophomore year to Senior year.

Having said all that, I want to conclude this blog by saying "The Past is the Past!" You, your student, or students can turn over a new leaf and have a new found dedication once their mindset and perspective have been changed. What we have to do as educators, parents and students, is work towards helping one change their mindset, encouraging them to take a new perspective towards their position and the possibilities that lay ahead in their future. We must help them understand how today serves as the ruder for tomorrows destination.

Let's use this summer to encourage our students and to help them find comfort in identifying where they desire to be, and then help them form a plan to get there. And yes, your past does catch up with you, but only if you are standing still!!! If we can keep our students moving forward and walking strong in their new found habits and confidence, then the past will truly be the past. Something that adds to the power of today’s testimony!