Insights for My Students

Steve Hall

 

These are my personal insights for students that I have used through the years to encourage and motivate students. Hope you find them helpful!

 

 

Being obnoxious is not a virtue. Never has been. Never will be.

 

We learn a lot about your future by watching how you relate to authority!

 

If you are determined to focus on yourself, why not start with some self-control, some self-discipline, then maybe even a little self-denial.

 

 

Consider Carefully: Some of the richest people in the world are also some of the most miserable.

 

A genuine, heartfelt apology can often heal a broken relationship.

 

Flowers smell sweeter and life is just neater when you learn  how to keep a clear conscience.

 

There are few things that can match the incredible exhilaration that comes with knowing that you have been forgiven.

 

Each of us is given certain talents, certain abilities, certain opportunities. What are you doing with yours?

 

There are those who think they are doing something really cool, when they are really doing something that is just plain foolish.

 

If you have learned to seek out and to listen to wise counsel from experienced people, you are way ahead of the game.

 

Are you going up with the right friends? Or down with the wrong ones?

 

Be careful who you listen to! The consequences may be greater than you think!

 

Saying "No" to a friend can be very painful. But saying "Yes" can be totally devastating.

 

The longer I live the more I'm convinced that money and happiness are totally unrelated.

 

Be exceedingly thankful for the person who will tell you what you need to hear, even when it is unpleasant.

 

Do you have a parent who refuses to give in to your arguments, begging, and pleading?  Be thankful!

 

What have you learned from your mistakes lately?

 

There is a war going on out there—A war for the minds and hearts of people.  Stay in the battle!

 

 

Only very foolish people are convinced that they are never wrong. Confess often!

 

The ability to accept criticism graciously and without resentment is a mark of genuine maturity.

 

The immature complain and gripe and wallow in their sorry plight.

The more mature reject that tripe and overcome by doing right!

 

Loud does not always mean right. Quiet does not always mean fearful.

 

Mocking and ridicule are tools of the cowardly. Courageous people can stand with an underdog.

 

Those who try too hard to be cool will, in time, experience  the bitter disappointment of real world consequences.

 

Are you strong enough to stand for what is right when you know you will be ridiculed for it?

 

If faced with a choice between "cool" and "right"—

Think: Which choice will result in no regrets?

 

The highway of life is littered with those who tried too hard to be cool.

 

The future will arrive sooner than you think. Make decisions now that will lead to future joy with no regrets.

 

Have you learned the incredible power of gracious and kind speech when someone is verbally attacking you?

 

Have you learned   the amazing power of keeping a cool head when others are losing it?

 

Weak, dull, and immature people need profanity to express themselves. The mature have learned to control their tongues.

 

Immature people become angry at other people. Mature people become angry at wrong words, wrong deeds, and wrong thoughts.

 

As you grow up, remember: There is a part of your heritage that will do you great good. Don't discard it lightly!

 

When forced to choose between money and doing what's right, many ruined nincompoops have chosen the money. 

 

The choices you make now will either lead to great joy or to great regret. Go for the joy!

 

Many ruined people have been deceived by the empty promises of pleasure, fun, and "coolness" offered by  alcohol, drugs, and tobacco.

 

Just because some people have the letters "Ph.D."  after their names does not mean they are wise, or even intelligent. The names of many nincompoops end with "Ph.D."

 

A little kid whines and complains, and usually doesn't have much self-control.

 

A know-it-all doesn't really know much at all. Keep a teachable spirit.

 

Do you know the difference between "gullible" and "teachable?" It's the difference between the depths of failure and  the heights of success.

 

What does it take to  convince you to quit trying? The more it takes, the farther you'll go!

 

Got a great idea? Write it down-NOW! Tomorrow you may wonder: "What was that great idea I had?"

 

Feeling bored? Find a worthwhile PROJECT! Get absorbed in it! Make something good happen!

 

You are planting seeds. "Harvest time" will come! What kind of seeds are you planting?

 

Watch your attitude! You are not a jerk, are you? Don't make people think that you are one!

 

YEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAAH!!!

(When was the last time you enjoyed a good shout?)

 

Being STEADFAST  gets the job done. Being STUBBORN  can lead to failure. Do you know the difference?

 

Who has been encouraged by you today? Encourage someone right away!

 

The URGENT tends to steal time from the IMPORTANT. Do you know the difference?

 

Little kids make messes that others have to clean up. They rarely clean up  after themselves.

 

People who win make the tough, but wise, choices. They turn off the TV and get to work!

 

Little kids demand lots of attention. Most grow out of that stage pretty quickly.

 

People who have been spoiled don't have to  stay that way! Get over it!

 

Make up your mind to stand for what is right-- even if everyone you know is going the other way. Stand for what is right!

 

There is far more to be thankful for than there is to complain about. Make a list!

 

There are often two ways to do a thing: The EASY way, and The RIGHT way. Guess which way leads to no regrets!

 

It's easy to copy someone else's work. It's also wrong. Many people with ruined lives began by making the little soft choices. Do the right thing!

 

Learn to be grateful. Think about how much someone else would appreciate having what you have!

 

There are people who go through life making bad decisions, blaming others, and feeling sorry for themselves. There is a better way!

 

Many try so hard To be COOL that they find life leaving them  out in the COLD.

 

Take a deep breath. Calm down. Relax. Find Peace!

 

Do you know someone who has lost hope? Help them find it quickly! Without it there's no hope!

 

Did someone irritate you? Does it seem like a big deal? Big as a mountain, maybe? Get over it!

 

It started with a bad decision, which became a little tendency, which became a difficult habit, which became a terrible stronghold, which became a monstrous slave-driver, which destroyed him.

 

I know it's not easy. It's tough. You just have to do the work.

 

You're right.  You MAY NEVER use this math again! But what we're trying to do is exercise your brain! You are learning how to think logically and systematically!

 

The best way to finish an unpleasant task is to get started.

 

People around you may be making bad decisions. So what? You do the right thing.

 

If you make enough bad decisions you will one day become dead meat.

 

Who said it would be easy? What's the big deal when you've done something that was easy?

 

If you never exercise your leg muscles, you will eventually be unable to walk. Wonder what happens when you never exercise your brain?

 

Make good decisions today, and tomorrow will take care of itself.

 

Remember, the highest form of love is how you BEHAVE toward someone, not how you FEEL about them.

 

When you love someone you do what is BEST for them even if it hurts sometimes.

 

You can destroy your future by making bad decisions in your now.

 

Have you experienced the peace that comes from accepting yourself as you were created?

 

Do you know someone with great inner peace and strength? Why not ask them for the recipe!

 

There are those people who have tremendous inner peace and joy. Make it your business to learn how they got it!

 

There are those people who have a supreme confidence and optimism about their long-range future. Why not ask them  for their secret?

 

There are those who have learned to deal successfully with the problem of personal guilt. Why not ask them how they do it?

 

The bait looks SO-O-O-O good to the fish. Next thing you know, he's in the frying pan!

 

To attempt to manipulate  by saying, "If you loved me you would..." is to prove you know nothing about real love.

 

The attempt to remove God from schools is an attempt to establish a state religion-- the religion of atheistic humanism.

 

It's easy to gripe  and complain! Little kids do it all the time!

 

If you want to show great disrespect, just refuse to listen. Interrupt often.

(And if that makes you feel good, you have a serious problem.)

 

A little lie here; A little lie there; And before you know it, You've earned a label!

 

Some people have little control over themselves. If they have a thought, they think it has to come out their mouths!

 

Do you know any arrogant jerks? Don't follow their lead! There's a better way!

 

Some people go around looking for clever ways to create problems. STAY AWAY FROM THEM!

 

Some people enjoy being a source of  irritation to others. Is that dumb, or what?

 

Your creativity can be used constructively or destructively. What are YOU doing  with YOUR creativity?

 

Watch out for Arrogance! It destroys good things and good people.

 

Arrogance is very difficult to recognize-- unless it is in someone else!

 

Make your goal higher than just to be "cool." "Coolness" can be a bitter achievement.

 

Secular humanism has had a grip on American education for years. I am not a secular humanist. And I resist those who try to force me to act like one.