I will never forget the first time I had a story published in a book. It inspired me to co-author a book for teens.
7 years later, I am giving 3 lucky people the opportunity to get their words published in my upcoming book called, “Gratitag: You’re It!”
If you would like to share “Who you are grateful for and why?” then this contest is for you!
How to enter contest:
1. Click Here / Then scroll all the way down to leave a reply/comments.
2. Enter Name and Email. (Your email address will not appear nor be shared)
3. Write your words of gratitude. (Up to 100 words)
4. your words with the world! (or the person you just wrote about)
Contest is open until Jan 31st. Winners will be announced on Feb 14th. Winners will be contacted via the same email that they entered. Winner’s will also receive an autographed copy of the book!
Enter as many times as you wish and remember to give gratitude like it’s free!
Close your eyes… oops don’t do that, then you wont be able to read this post. How about this… Imagine a social network like (I’m going to say it) Facebook, that exists specifically for students and leadership. (minus the raunchy dating and fake stimulus package adds)
Open your eyes, if they were closed. If you are sleeping right now you are about to miss out on a great opportunity.
If you have seen me speak you know that I share how “opportunities are taken not given” and that if I would not have worked on cruise ships, I never would have met my wife.
On a personal note, having Michael Josephson, founder of the Josephson institute and creator of Character Counts invite me to this initiative if mos def on of the highlights of my speaking career.
I encourage you (yes you!) to become a member (Assembly) and / or an Ambassador.
Lastly, attention all musicians / artists / writers out there, check out these cool contests.
Doug Luffborough, I long time friend / speaker who dedicates his days inspiring students across the country also runs a successful non profit called Turning the Hearts Center in Chula Vista, CA.
For many years he spoke of his story of how he invited himself and his mother to the White House as the commencement speaker at Northeastern University… Now he has a video. Very inspiring.
A few months ago, I went to see Brett Dennen with my wife and son. I had copied a song I wrote on a CD and was planning on giving it to Brett personally at the show. It didn’t happen. Then, 2 days ago, I saw a video blog of Brett Dennen inviting people to cover his hit song “Make me Crazy”, and upload the video on youtube. Sure I would love to win 2 tickets and go see Brett play in Boston. However, I am taking this opportunity to share my song with Brett with hopes that he will like it and will want to perform it and record it himself. So I entered the contest… check out the video and pay it forward to your friends. Peace, Justin.
A few weeks ago, I was playing music with one of my best friends Patrick and shared with him that Santana, Kai (his first live performance) and I were going to see Brett Dennen (March 28th, 2009) in concert.
I played a song that I wrote a few years back (the only one I ever wrote pretty much). He commented how much he liked the song and that he always felt that it was good enough to get airplay on the radio. (while I knew he was exaggerating a little) I appreciated the compliment. I explained to him that I love music, goofing around with a guitar and writing songs, however I am not a musician…He then suggested that I record my song and give it to Brett Dennen personally when I see him this week.
So here it is… Garage Band rocks… If you have a mac you already know this… and it took less than 10 minutes to make.
If you know someone, who knows someone, who knows someone, who knows Brett Dennen… let him know that you know.
To say that it would be a dream would be cliche but very true.
With hopes that you be bold and take actions towards your dreams.
Yes, I do save most emails that I have received from students. I hope that doesn’t come across as sad or clingy…Truth is, it is a motivator for me to know that my message is helping youth in some way, shape or form.
So here is my very first student email. I officially started speaking in Feb of 2003 and I received this email after my very first gig.
my name is XXX,
and I am a student at XXX. I recently saw you at an assembly at our school. I wanted to talk to you but I didn’t get a chance. To tell you that I admire you and everything that you do. I think you’re great. today is the 22nd of February and the assembly was on the 17th and still today I am thinking of the things that you said. It made even the smallest of my dreams want to come true. I just wanted to be able to tell you that you are one in a million. How can you stand in front of a huge crowd like that and just tell your life story . I don’t think I could ever do that. Well I found your website by going to solomax.com. I also think it is Great what he is doing. He is a really nice person. And I enjoy learning about people who fulfilled their dream. at that Moment when I heard your talk I really needed that at that point in my life because everything was looking downhill for me. I had recently gotten over pneumonia and the school was bugging me about missing so much school and I had so much homework to finish. But I really believe that you helped me through it. Thank you for being you. I don’t think I would have done so much work if it wasn’t for the many things you said. I hope to hear from you again. Have a wonderful life.
XXX
Random and Simple acts go further than you think. There You Are!
I am grateful to the Clinton County Youth Bureau for bringing me in to share my message with their leaders. The students were exceptional (as always). I have to be honest, it was a tough first 2-3 minutes… It had been a long time since my “I am were to change your life” line bombed… well, let’s just say it was silent for a long time… no, it bombed.
Luckily, they were a forgiving group. Within minutes, all was good. Still on the reserved quiet side, but good.
Oh, this trip had a few firsts for me. It was my first time in VT. I landed in Burlington and ate at a cool Coop. Another first is that in order to get to Plattsburg, NY from VT, I had to take a Ferry.
So please listen to my thoughts on the Ferry… It’s a short one because it was way cold.
I will never forget the first time I had a story published in a book. It inspired me to co-author a book for teens.
your words with the world! (or the person you just wrote about)
