“Thank you for the gift of your time”. This was the last thing a teacher said to me as we ended our phone conversation. As I hung up, I couldn’t help but think of what a powerful statement that is. It reminded me that no matter how old we are or where we live, we are all given the same amount of time in a day, twenty-four hours.

The time that we are given each day truly is a gift. How we choose to spend our time is up to us. Sure there are going to be things that happen that cause the day to not necessarily go the way we had planned. Whether it’s the unexpected traffic jam, a flight delay, family emergency, or some other curve ball that life throws us. Even in these situations, we can still choose how we spend the time in those moments.

We can choose to be frustrated, angry, upset and wishing it wasn’t this way. We also have the choice to accept the situation and choose how we will be and what we will do in that moment.

Look at your next 24 hours, what will you be doing? Who will you be with? And are you spending your time wisely? Is today bringing you closer to your goals and dreams?

Thank you for the gift of your time.
Ed Gerety

Pass It Along, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing service to those in need so that no one goes uncared for, unwanted, and unloved. Pass It Along is based in New Jersey and their volunteers work with Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, St. Peter’s Orphanage, Interfaith Hospitality, Hope House and more. The mission of Pass It Along is to inspire, mobilize, and lead volunteers to service projects in which individuals pass along their gifts to meet the critical needs of the community.

In April, Ed Gerety, had the opportunity to speak at the Pass It Along conference. Seventy-five percent of Pass It Along volunteers are youth. They have created a Youth Council comprised of over 40 local high school students. Over 1000 volunteers have participated in Pass It Along’s programs. They have mentored over 500 children, delivered 3,000 Christmas toys, and run over 130 errands for the disabled.

Congrats to Pass It Along and all their volunteers for making a difference each day!

Michael A. Crocco, MA, is a licensed clinical mental health counselor in the state of New Hampshire. Since 1997 Michael has been helping teens and their families work together to identify and obtain common goals and work through crises. Currently he is the Treatment Coordinator of a residential setting for at-risk youths and he also runs a private practice in the seacoast area of NH.

Question:Dear Mike, How do I tell my parents that my I’m doing my best in and out of school but my efforts are not fulfilling their expectations? – Chris, age 15

Answer:Being able to effectively communicate your thoughts and needs is an important skill for you to practice and develop at an early age because, most likely, throughout your life you will encounter situations that are just as challenging as the one stated above. Whether it is with your parents, your teacher, your boss, your boyfriend/girlfriend or your coach, part of life is being able to effectively handle situations, which include conflict or disagreement. This skill is called “assertiveness” and it basically means getting your needs met in a way that is not harmful to yourself or another person either emotionally or physically. It involves clear communication, self-control, an understanding of what it is that you need, and the willingness to not only talk but also listen.

Using the scenario stated above these are the steps that an assertive person would make when addressing this issue:

1. Mentally prepare yourself by scripting out what it is you want to say to your parents. You might do this by just talking to yourself or by actually writing it out.
2. Ask your parents to schedule a time to meet with you without the interruptions of your sisters or brothers, the television, dinner or other activities that may cause distractions.
3. If prior conversations with your parents have gone poorly, ask them to develop some ground rules for the meeting; e.g. one person speaks at a time, there is no yelling, if somebody needs to take a 5 minute break they are allowed to do so.
4. Be honest with your parents and yourself about the situation. Express to them why their expectations are not working for you and how they are affecting you. Also, have some ideas ready to share about what other ways you think you can set some more manageable goals for yourself. Be open to hearing their responses and concerns and enter into the discussion with the idea that the end result may not be what you had expected. Your parents may surprise you!

Being assertive will not only make these types of interactions more productive and effective but it will develop in you a sense of self-esteem and pride, it will impress those involved in the interaction and those who witness it, and it will provide you with a sense of accomplishment and “job well done”, no matter what the outcome. The more you do this the easier it will become, and before you know it you will have no problem asking your boss for that big raise you feel you deserve!

If you have a question for Mike or a comment to share, email info@EdGerety.com

Nathan Ritches

Nathan Ritches is an ambitious high school student in Oregon; he owns and operates two successful businesses one is building water gardens and selling Koi & goldfish the other is a mobile DJ for the state of OR and ID, serving for all events needing Mobil DJ Work. Nathan also runs cross country, track, and plays basketball. He is in Student Council, Leadership Class, Key Club, Kiwanis, and a member of his area Chamber of Commerce as the youngest member to ever join a chamber of commerce in the United States!

Who is your role model? Why?
No one specific, I believe that any one who has helped me succeed in life is my role model because they have all contributed to my life and got me to where I am today. I do have a favorite quote, "be the change you wish to see in the world" - Gandhi

What does it take to be a leader?
Gratitude, Attitude, Goals, Respect, Kindness, Believe!

How do you want to be remembered?
As a young entrepreneur and leader of in my area. I want people that have the power and courage to follow in my footsteps to do so and to carry on the tradition that I have started.

What are your three steps to success?
Believe, Achieve, Succeed

What inspires you?
Positive outcomes, like when I see my words and plans turn into action and positive results. Also seeing younger students look up to me because they know that I am a positive and successful person that they can look up too.

Will the Red Sox win the World Series this year?
Have not a clue! I hardly have time to watch TV or listen to the radio, so half the time I don’t even know what’s going on in the busy world.