1. The Last Lecture Chapters 1-3: Personal Creeds

2. March 31, 2015 Tuesday Items Needed 1. Writing utensil 2. New Mustang Minutes Label: Term 4 Week 2 Due: Mon Apr 13 th (4/13/15) 3. Last Lecture Book 4. Lined paper Mustang Minute Using your video notes from last week and from your reading of Chapters 1-3, what are Randy’s values? What does he consider to be the most important thing in life? If Randy had a life slogan or creed what would it be?

3. What are Values? Values are “The moral principles and beliefs or accepted standards of a person or social group.” It is very important to have moral values. These are what keep people grounded in life. Every person seems to have different morals and values, but some are very similar across groups of people. Your moral values are what make you a good, or not so good, person. Most of the time you get your moral values from your family, or your social network. It is good to have a high standard of moral values.

4. What is a Creed? ‘Creed’ is a derivative of the Latin word ‘credo’ which means “I believe”. “Creed” is: A set of fundamental beliefs; also, a guiding principle for your life. A blueprint for how you live your life.

5. Why do Values & Creeds Matter? 1. There is a scene in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland where Alice asks the Cheshire Cat which direction she should go. When the Cheshire Cat asked where she was headed, she replied that she didn’t know. “Then,” said the Cheshire Cat, “any direction will do.” 2. This simple scene from a child’s tale holds so much wisdom for us. When you know where you are headed, you walk purposefully, quickly, with big strides. You may enjoy the scenery as you pass by, but every step you take has a meaning because it brings you one step closer to your purpose. 3. A personal creed provides a guide for living. When you recite your creed every day or every week, it becomes part of your psyche and guides your decisions and actions even in times of crisis when you don’t have much time to consciously think. 4. When you’re wandering aimlessly through life, your creed reveals a path for you to follow. If you already have goals in life but come to a fork in the road, a creed makes it clear which fork you should take.

6. Famous Examples Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find me, unafraid. It matters not how straight the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate; I am the captian of my soul. INVICTUS William Ernest Henley ‘Invictus’ is Latin for ‘unconquered’ and this poem uses powerful language that is a call to both contemplation and action.

7. Famous Examples To live as gently as I can; To be, no matter where, a man: To take what comes of good or ill And cling to faith and honor still; To do my best, and let that stand The record of my brain and hand; And then, should failure come to me, Still work and hope for victory. To have no secret place therein I stoop unseen to shame or sin; To be the same when I’m alone As when my every deed is known; To live undaunted, unafraid Of any step that I have made; To be without pretense or sham Exactly what men think I am. To leave some simple mark behind To keep my having lived in mind; If enmity to aught I show, To be an honest, generous foe, To play my little part, nor whine That greater honors are not mine. This, I believe, is all I need For my philosophy and creed. MY CREED Edgar Albert Guest

8. Famous Creeds He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it; Who has left the world better than he found it, Whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; Whose life was an inspiration; Whose memory a benediction. SUCCESS Bessie Anderson Stanley

9. Famous Creeds Kid President Let’s have a Pep Talk

10. Where do Creeds Come From? Religion The most common source of a creed is religion. Many people have a favorite verse in the bible that guides them in their daily living. Popular verses include: “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” “Work with all your heart, soul and mind, as working for God and not for men.” “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” Literature You could use a poem or verse that you find a powerful guide to living. The following is taken from a poem attributed to Mademoiselle Grifsters: You gotta dance like nobody’s watching Dream like you will live forever Live like you’ll die tomorrow And love like it’s never going to hurt.

11. Where do Creeds Come From? Songs The lyrics of songs can move us deeply and make us want to be better people and do good things. You could use a line or a whole verse as a personal creed. “May you always walk in sunshine, Slumber warm when night winds blow; May you always live with laughter, For a smile becomes you so.” Many successful people use a customized personal creed. They think very seriously about the kind of person they want to be, write it down and then read it aloud at least once a day. This guides everything they do in life and moves them daily towards the life they want. For example: I am wise, loving and kind. I love people and they love being around me. I invest my time in improving myself, helping others, and making the world a better place. Every day brings me blessings beyond measure. Personal Affirmations

12. Where do Creeds Come From? Inner Conviction Like Mother Teresa, you may have had one of those crystal clear revelations that tell you without a shadow of a doubt what you must do. “Nobody in the world should have to die alone.” “Every child must feel wanted.” “Live each day as a gift.” “The world is a better place for my having lived today.” Chance Sources Often stumbled upon at the most unexpected times and in the most unexpected places but they become memorable. Think deeply Speak gently Love much Laugh a lot Work hard Give freely Be kind

13. My (Mrs. Adams’s) Personal Creed Steadfast OPTIMISM will NEVER fail me in life Open to the Past, present, and future To a life of Inspiration My attitude Invigorated Spirits lifted to Manifested possibilities When life causes me to stumble my OPTIMISM gives me wings to fly. OPTIMISM (verb): To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

14. Developing Your Own Personal Creed What would I really like to be and do in my life? What are my greatest strengths? How do I want to be remembered? Who is the one person who has made the greatest positive impact in my life? What have been my happiest moments in life? If I had unlimited time and resources, what would I do? What are the three or four most important things to me? How can I best contribute to the world? 1. Using your answers the questions on the right create a Personal Creed or Life Statement. No longer than a few sentences (3 max) Does not have to be a complete sentences Does not copy an already well known or accepted creed (Truly) Reflects you as a person 2. Display Your Creed on your construction paper (or whatever materials you would like). Using magazines, clip art, etc. (any and all art supplies you have in your possession at school or at home are at your disposal) cut out pictures and words that represent your beliefs, morals, values. Essentially a visual representation of your creed. 3. Most importantly, BE CREATIVE! Be creative in writing your Creed. Be creative in displaying your Creed. You will be displaying these on Monday April 13th