I'm Special . . . In the entire world theres nobody like me. Nobody has my smile.

Nobody has my eyes, nose hair or voice. Im Special . . . No one laughs like me or cries like me No one see things just as I do. No one reacts just as I would react. Im Special . . . Im the only one in all creation who has my set of abilities. My unique combination of gifts, talent and abilities are an original symphony. Im Special . . . Im rare. And in all rarity there is great value. I need not imitate others, I will accept Yes celebrate - my difference. Im Special . . . And Im beginning to see that God made me special for a very special purpose. God has a job for me that no one else can do as well as I do. Out of all the applicants only one is qualified. That one is me. Because . . . Im Special!

WHY RISK IT? To laugh is to . . . Risk appearing foolish. To weep is to . . . Risk appearing sentimental. To reach out for another is to . . . Risk involvement.

To expose feelings is to . . . Risk exposing your true self. To place your ideas, your dreams . . . before a crowd is to . . . Risk their loss. To love is to . . . Risk not being loved in return. To hope is to . . . Risk despair. To try is to . . . Risk failure. To live is to . . . RISK DYING!

WHAT IS LIFE. Life is a challenge . . . meet it ! Life is a gift . . . accept it ! Life is an adventure . . . dare it! Life is a sorrow . . overcome it! Life is a tragedy . . . face it! Life is a duty . . . perform it! Life is a game . . . play it! Life is a mystery . . . unfold it! Life is a song . . . sing it! Life is an opportunity . . . take it! Life is a journey . . . complete it! Life is a promise . . . fulfill it! Life is a beauty . . . praise it! Life is a struggle . . . fight it! Life is a goal . . . achieve it! Life is a puzzle . . . solve it! Life is a Love . . Love it!

Realization of a Black Woman Who Am I? Im, a Woman of Black Heritage What Makes Me Strong? My Heritage. What Makes Me Weak? My Fears. What Makes me whole? My God. What Keeps me Standing? My Faith. What Makes Me Compassionate? My Selflessness. What Makes Me Honest? My Integrity. What Sustains My Mind? My Quest for Knowledge. What Teaches Me All Lessons? My Mistakes. What if I Cant Go On? Not An Option. What Makes Me Victorious? My Courage to Climb! What Makes Me Sensual? My Insatiable Essence! What Makes Me Beautiful? My Everything! What Makes Me a Woman? My Heart!

Who Says I Need Love? I Do! What Empowers Me? Me! Who Am I? I AM A WOMAN OF BLACK HERITAGE

Today Outside my window, a new day I see and only I can determine what kind of a day it will be. It can be busy and sunny, and filled with laughter along the way, or boring and cold, unhappy and gray. My own state of mind is the determining key, for I am only the person I let myself be. I can be thoughtful, and do all I can to help, or be selfish and think only of myself. I can enjoy what I do or gripe and complain and make it hard on someone. I can be patient with those who may not understand or belittle and hurt them as much as I can. But I have faith in myself, and believe what I say, and I personally intend to make the best of Today!

Hope Hope is not the closing of your eyes To the Difficulty, the Risk, Or the Failure. It is a trust that If I fail now I shall not fail forever; And If I am hurt, I shall be healed. It is a trust that Life is good, Love is powerful, And the future is full of Promise.

This is the Only Life You're Given Take Lifes broken pieces and recreate your dreams. Take Responsibility for your actions; never make excuses for not being the best you can be. Replace Your weaknesses with positives; Never Measure the future by the past. Let Yesterday become a memory, and tomorrow a promise. Begin Each day by touching on all that is good, and youll be in a position to handle whatever come along. If You should slip, be comforted by the thought that we all do at times.

Determine Your mark today, and youll find yourself living in Joy and triumph. This life is the only one youre given, Look for opportunities to grow, and never be discouraged in your efforts to do so.

Don't Quit When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road youre trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest, if you must - but dont you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns, As every one of us sometimes learns, And many failure turns about When he might have won had he stuck it out, Dont you give up, though the pace seems slow, You might succeed with another blow. Often the goal is nearer than It seems to a faint and faltering man, Often the struggler has given up When he might have captured the victors cup. And he learned too late, when the Night slipped down, How close he was to the golden crown. Success is failure turned inside out The silver tint of the clouds of doubt And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems afar; So stick to the fight when you are hardest hit Its when things seem worst that You must not quit.

Keep On Trying

"Sometimes the things that seem To hurt us most are the thing That brings out the best in us . . ." They are the struggles that Help us discover The faith We thought wed lost . . . The strength We didnt know we had . . . The courage To let go of the past and begin again . . . Because the challenges help us To see who we really are, Where we want to go, And what our lives can be If only we have faith & Keep On Trying!!!

What You Think Matters You become What you think about! So, Think "Big"! As you think, - So you become! All things start With a thought! Sow a thought - Reap an action, Sow an action - Reap a character, Sow a character - Reap a destiny . . . A man is Literally what He thinks.

- James Allen Put on your thinking cap. What are you Thinking Most of the time?

Persistence It takes a little courage and a little self-control and some grim determination if you want to reach the goal. It takes a deal of striving, and a firm and stern-set chin, no matter what the battle, if you want to win. Theres no easy path to glory, theres no rosy road to fame. Life, however we may view it, is no simple parlor game; But for its prizes all for fighting, For endurance and for grit; For a rugged disposition, And a - "Dont-knowWhen-To-Quit."

Teacher's Prayer I want to teach my students How to live this life on earth. To face its struggle and Its strife and improve their worth. Not just the lesson in a book or How the rivers flow, but how To choose the proper path wherever they may go. To understand eternal truth and know the right from wrong and gather all the beauty of a flower and a song.

For if I help the world to grow in wisdom and in grace Then I shall feel that I have won and I have filled my place And so I ask your guidance, God, that I my do my part., For character and confidence and happiness of heart. Teachers Are Special People Some people have a way of reaching out and touching the lives of others with warmth. . . And with love, -- Youre one of those people. For all the warm and loving things you do that are such a part of being . . . "You" This comes with thanks and with much love. . . And hope your day is just like you. . . "Special" . . . In Every Way!

A Special Thank You I want you to know youve done something for me thats really made a difference. You taught me so much in so many beautiful "Special" ways. From you Ive learned things far more important than knowledge found in books. Ive learned and grown From your examples, from your Encouragements, and most of all, From your "Special" way Of being you. The things Ive learned from you, The ways youve helped me grow, Are treasures Ill keep with me Always - -

Gifts that can never be used up Or diminished by time or distance. And thats just one reason among So very many that youll always be "Special" To me! Anyway Anyway . . . People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered, Love Them Anyway . . . If you do good, people will accuse you Of selfish ulterior motives, Do Good Anyway . . . If you are successful, you will win False friend and true enemies, Succeed Anyway . . . Honest and frankness make you vulnerable, Be Honest and Frank Anyway . . . The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow, Do Good Anyway . . . The biggest people with the biggest idea can be shot Down by the smallest people with the smallest mind, Think Big Anyway . . . What you spend years building Maybe destroyed overnight, Build Anyway . . . People favor underdog by following only top dogs, Fight For Some Underdogs Anyway . . . Give the world the best you have and you will Get kicked in the teeth, Give the World The Best Youve Got Anyway!

One Day at a Time

As you reach for the goals you would like to achieve, may you find all the strength you will need to meet the challenge "One step at a time" till the day when you proudly succeed. Whatever the goal youre pursuing, no matter how rugged the climb, you are certain to get there by trying your best and taking "One day at a time". "Forever" is hard to imagine, "The Future" may seem far away, But every new day brings a wonderful chance to do what we can on that day.

What Really Counts It isnt the things you talk about, No matter how fine and true; It isnt the way you seem to live Nor even the things you do; It isnt the creed you call your own, Nor the mottoes on the wall; The only thing that really counts Is whats in your heart - Thats all; It isnt the many friends you make Its only the friends you keep; It isnt the you that people see, Its the real you down deep; It isnt what people say you are, Just let them talk as they please, Its what you know you are inside What counts is what God sees.

You're a Very Special Friend Once in a while, we meet someone Who makes us feel so good, Who seems to understand us In a way few people could -Someone whos truly glad for us When things are going well, Whos always there to share the fun. When weve something new to enjoy -Once in a while, we find someone On whom we can depend I know, because I found in you A really wonderful friend!

Friends From the Start Once in a while, you meet someone new And it seems that you know from the start Youve found someone special to trust and to confide in with whom you can talk heart-to-heart. You have the same values, youll have interests, have similar goals to pursue, and from that time on, therell be someone to help see you through. Youll share with each other, a warmth and closeness, a feeling that never will end ~ Once in while, you meet someone new who becomes such a wonderful friend.

To My Special Friend

Ive been thinking a lot About friendship, And the different kinds of friends We have in different people. Some are there for the fun, And some for the hard times. Some are there to be understanding, Some to give, some to take, And a few just to love. Each kind of friend fills A different need for us... But when I think about you, I realize that you are all These friends to me. Youre there for the fun times As well as the hard times. You give of yourself And you take what I have to offer. Youre there with the words I need to hear - And youre always there With your understanding And your love. You are the very best kind of friend! True Friends True friends have not solitary, Joys or sorrows. Both are shared. In the hour of peace and gladness, What is our want? Friendship. When our hearts overflow With gratitude,

What is our need? A friend. When distress haunts us And misery walks by our side, Where do we turn? To friends. Friend to share. Friend to bear.

A Thought for a Wonderful Friend Sometimes, We are blessed enough To meet a person who stands out Among all other people as being extremely special - Who knows what we are thinking about - Who is happy for us at all times Who is always there to talk - Who cares about us selflessly - Who is always truthful with us. Sometimes, We are blessed enough To meet someone who is Extremely wonderful. For me, that person Is "You", my dear friend!

Friends Are Very Special People Special people are those who Have the ability to share their lives with others. They are honest in word and deed. They are sincere and compassionate, And they always make sure that Love is a part of everything.

Special people are those who have The ability to give to others and help them with the Change that comes their way. They are not afraid of being vulnerable, They believe in their uniqueness, and are proud To be who they are. Special people are those who allow themselves The pleasure of being close to others and caring About their happiness. They have come to understand the love is What makes the difference in life. Friends are very "Special" people Who truly make a beautiful difference in this world. Friendships Are a Wonderful Part of Life Friendships are a special part of life Each and every friendship Is different. Some friendships develop and grow When time and place make it easy For friends to be together and share. Some friendships mature and change And last a lifetime, even when Distance and silences exist. The wonderful part of a Good friendship Is that it touches Your heart with feelings That make everyday More beautiful & worthwhile. The Best Thing in Life is a Friend One of the best things about life is Friends. You find them wherever you go. Friends are essential because They help bring out the best in you. When they see your worst, They still care. They just accept.

Friends are the stars in your happy memories. They are the shoulders you learned on And the hearts that listened. They just care. Friends help you in your times of need. Friends help create all your fun times, Always there to spread laughter and joy. When you need tears, friends provide these, too. They just understand. "You", my friend, are all of these. And most of all, when you need it, Remember friends just love, As I do.

A Truly Lasting Friendship Some people say That a truly lasting friendship Is one that survives Through the good times And the bad times . . . All I know is With you as my friend, There never have been bad times, For your strength and faith and caring Have made every struggle such a time of love for me that Ive never felt alone Or afraid or hopeless . . . So when people talk about What a truly lasting friendship is, I already know . . . Its Having You As A Friend! Never Too Busy - Always a Friend Some people are never Too busy to care, to listen and understand. Never too busy To answer a need . . . To show their concern

With an unselfish deed Or to offer a comforting hand. Theyre never too busy To give of Gods love With a warm and personal touch. Never too busy To gently impart the spirit of Jesus To every heart. . . No wonder theyre loved So much! A Special Friend is a Wonderful Gift A special friend is a wonderful Gift . . . Someone who offers understanding When life is difficult. Someone whose smile is enough To brighten any day. Someone who accepts you And is glad that you are you. Someone who forgets mistakes And is gentle and trusting. You are this special friend to me And our times together are treasured In my heart. It is my wish That we will Always be "Special Friends".

Your Friendship Means So Much Once in a while, A friend is found Whos a friend Right from the start.

Once in a while, A friendships made That really warms the heart. Once in a while, A friendships formed To last a lifetime through. It really does happen Just once in a while It happened to Me & "You". A Friend Like You Theres lots of things With which Im blessed, Though my life's been both Sunny & blue, But of all my blessings, This ones the best: "To have a friend like you". In times of trouble Friends will say, "Just ask . . . Ill help you through it" But you dont wait for me to ask, -- You just get up and you do it! And I can think Of nothing in life That I could more wisely do, Than know a friend, And be a friend, And love a friend . . . like "You" My Lifetime Friend It seems you have been my Friend right from the start. Your friendship has brought Happiness to my heart.

It is a blessing To have a friendship That will last A lifetime through I know this because... It has Happened With me and you! Friends Friends that are open to One another, Know each other, Accept one another, And love each other anyway... Are quite special. I feel we share a Friendship like this... I hope you know that I treasure this Relationship with you... Forever Friend A forever friend Understands your part, Believes in your future, And accepts you just The way you are. A forever friend Walks down the Path of life with you Never leaving your side. Thanks for being A forever friend.