2011 Proceedings - National FFA Organization

sHAnnon norris continuEd
we can take action on how we treat other
people.
Who all is from a small town? I grew
up in the booming metropolis of Cliff, New
Mexico, where the number of cattle far
exceeds the number of people and the
only time we have a traffic jam is during
the rodeo at the fairgrounds. My junior
year, some of my classmates and I qualified
to compete at a national business
conference in New York City. What a perfect
opportunity to show those city boys
just how a country girl can survive!
Conquering the elements of the concrete
jungle started during our day tour of
the city. Grouped together were the girls
and I, some pretty good-looking gentlemen,
millions of tourists, my teacher, and
our chaperone… my mother. Now, as if
having your mom tag along doesn’t scream
“cool” by itself, try getting her to keep the
same pace as the rest of the group. Way
ahead were my classmates, bringing up
the rear was my mom …and I was stuck
in the middle. I was so frustrated! I wanted
to be cool enough to walk with the other
students and not have to worry about my
mom. I wanted my friends to know that I
was mature and that I didn’t need a babysitter.
All day I had been telling my mom to
move a little faster so it would be less obvious
that she was holding us up.
Who all is from a small town? I grew
up in the booming metropolis of Cliff, New
Mexico, where the number of cattle far
exceeds the number of people and the
only time we have a traffic jam is during
the rodeo at the fairgrounds. My junior
year, some of my classmates and I qualified
to compete at a national business
conference in New York City. What a perfect
opportunity to show those city boys
just how a country girl can survive!
Conquering the elements of the concrete
jungle started during our day tour of
the city. Grouped together were the girls
and I, some pretty good-looking gentlemen,
millions of tourists, my teacher, and
our chaperone… my mother. Now, as if
having your mom tag along doesn’t scream
“cool” by itself, try getting her to keep the
same pace as the rest of the group. Way
ahead were my classmates, bringing up
the rear was my mom …and I was stuck
in the middle. I was so frustrated! I wanted
to be cool enough to walk with the other
students and not have to worry about my
mom. I wanted my friends to know that I
was mature and that I didn’t need a babysitter.
All day I had been telling my mom to
move a little faster so it would be less obvious
that she was holding us up.
Even in the middle of millions of
people, for the next few moments, I stood
there alone as I watched the slow tears
run down my sweet little mom’s face. To
this day, the simple words, “I can’t” will
never leave my mind.
About one year prior to that moment,
my mother had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s
disease. A woman that was once
physically and mentally strong enough to
do anything now struggled with simple
movements, such as keeping the same
pace as a group of high school students.
At that moment, I didn’t control my attitude.
It controlled me. I made a decision
to let my anger and self-pity for not being
with the rest of the group overpower my
relationship with one of the people that I
love the most in this world.
Think back to a time when you have
allowed your emotions to determine your
actions. When was the last time you
snapped at your parents? Our attitude
determines how we treat other people.
We control it. And it’s not just a one-time
decision. Meaning that if we mess up and
do something wrong or say something
we don’t mean to say, we can fix it if we
decide to.
Close your eyes. Picture someone that
you really care about. If today was your
last day, how would you treat that person?
Now, look at the people sitting next to
you, and ask this question, “What if today
was their last day?” We have a decision
to make. When we leave this arena, what
action will we take to improve? Try inviting
someone that doesn’t fit in to come join
your friends. Call your parents and tell them
that you love them. Listen to your grandparent’s
stories. Don’t leave convention
as the same person you were when you
came… Are you taking actions that help
make others better? Check yes or no.
46 Believe Proceedings 2011
Will you give up? Will you try to make
a change?
It’s up to you.
Just choose to be the best you that
you can be,
Check your attitude,
Is it one that you are proud of, check
yes or no?
We may not be able to control what
happens to us, but we can control how
we respond to it… just like Brittany did.
We all know we should live with a good
attitude… we all know that our attitudes
influence our actions… this isn’t new information…
so why do we still have trouble?
Will you give up or get better? Decide.
Regardless of whether we are from
a small town, big city, the coast or the
Midwest, quit making excuses… decide
to make a change! Our attitudes are not
a decision that we only ask ourselves
every month, every week, or every day…
it is a decision that we constantly have to
evaluate. Doesn’t mean that it is an easy
decision… doesn’t mean that every time
we make a choice, that we are going to
be perfect. Each decision does not define
us, but we can define each moment if we
choose. Take action.
Perform an attitude checkup... Are
you making the decision to control your
attitude? Check yes or no. Are you taking
action on treating others like today could
be their last day? Yes or no? Live confident
that you managed what you did have
control over… your attitude. Is it one that
you are proud of? Yes or no?