MS TRIO DAY HOSTED BY JACKSON STATE UNIVERISTY. Workshop Presentaion on Saturday February 25th, 2023.
Questions to each session of High School & Middle Schoolers, Teachers and Faculty Members:
How are y'all feeling today? Some answered good, just okay and not so well.
Did you get up and do your hair this morning? How does your hair look today? Crowd looks around and laugh and scream no with laughter.
I tell them to repeat after me:
"WHEN YOU LOOK GOOD YOU FEEL GOOD!"
I tell them 3 short stories. One of the stories is a about a young boy.
The young boy was preparing for the black history program at his church. He was given the speech "I have a dream" by Dr. King. He practiced over and over but couldn't just couldn't get it. He was down and sad and slumped over, he looked defeated. He wondered why would the church give him such a heard speech when they knew he struggled in school? His mom encouraged him daily all the way up until the weckend of the program.
The mom wanted hun to look nice for the church folk, so that Saturday she took him shopping. She
bought him new shoes a new suit and got his hair cut with a fresh line up. When they arrived home, mom asked her son to try on his clothes and go over
his speech one more time. The boy looked in the mirror noticed how well he looked in his new suit and saw his fresh hair cut and began to get excited. He said his speech again and only messed up a couple of times. He had a little less doubt.
Sunday morning arrives. He get up, washes his face, brushes his teeth and dressed for church. They arrive and he walks in. Everyone stops to greet him. "THAT BOY LOOKIG GOOD," they say. "Nice cut and loving that look", the members complimented.
His head begins to sit up high. The pastor calls him up and introduces him as a "Fine Young Man" as the boy walks to the potium. Held his head high, spoke with confidente & recited the I have a dream' speach with ease.
What was the turning point? What was the key to his confidence?
The other stories were about a young lady who didn't feel comfortable in dresses and about a college student being so stressed that her hair began to fall out and matte.
The students were interactive. They answered my questions and were excited about the outcomes of the stories.
My lesson to the students:
Studies shows if a person learn and exhilt self love early on in age they are more confident and successtul in life. They are less pron to depression. Today's world is full of social media and unatainable standards of beauty. You should fall in love with your natural self. Love yourself in your mist natural state.
My challenge to the students:
Love your natural. If you see something about your natural self you're unhappy with, make healthy realistic goals to make changes. Example:
Learn how to do these things. Learn from YouTube and local stylists and barbers.
Redirect negative thoughts.
4. Saying their personal Affirmations: emotional support or encouragement to themselves. If they don't know none I tell them to recite the rap song to themselves in the mirror:
