Week 15

Week in Review

Monday October 16, 2017

Today during Toastmasters, some of our PEP brothers presented their 10^th speech. As experience teaches, all of us have started to get comfortable speaking in front of an audience. There were five speakers and five evaluators to provide feedback and encouraging words to help the speakers strengthen their weak points during their speeches.

Enthusiasm and humor filled the meeting. A few of the speakers were surprised that they had to give a speech today. They did a wonderful job with the little time they had to get ready – it almost seemed that they were ready all along. Toastmasters!

Galland R. (a.k.a. “Prince”)

Tuesday October 17, 2017

Today is yet another blessed day. Legends of the Fall ‘17 started the day with computer lab. We were either working on our business plans, getting our financials intact or doing a little research to give the body of our speech a little more depth.

Who would have ever thought a year ago that we would be writing a business plan? We have come so far and learned a great deal through these past months. What we thought we signed up for turned out to be something much more; a true blessing in disguise. It has not been easy, but all of us will say that it was worth it.

Today the new class, Spring ’18, was faced with an assignment that will show how bad they really want to change. Stinking thinking makes a person cancel himself out, but a man who is serious about change, and willing to do what it takes to get there, is what this is all about. It’s so important for servant-leaders and Fall ‘17 to encourage the new class. We have all been there; we know the pressure these brothers are facing. Let’s uplift our brothers on their journey and let them know there really is a pot of gold at the end.

Ricky D. (a.k.a. “Peanut Butter”)

Wednesday October 18, 2017

We have been blessed to have the opportunity to experience the brotherhood and fellowship PEP has given us. Today in the life of PEP, we gathered in the classroom to pray, dance, and fellowship with each other. A few of our fellow brothers shared their business plan pitches as well.

In the spirit of true brotherhood, a few of our brothers came together and shared some new ideas about their businesses. We watched as Mr. Al M. passed out Coat of Honor stickers to commend our brothers for being authentic men in all of their dealings. We are all strong together, and we all live life right and on the straight and narrow – what PEP calls “living between the wings.”

PEP is the driving force behind building better men into authentic men. Being in a room around a positive environment is an overwhelming feeling of joy and peace. We had fun today and will always find a way to uplift one another. We are all grateful for PEP and for one another.

Nathan R. (a.k.a. “Bubble Gum”)

Thursday October 19, 2017

Today we practiced our pitches to get ready for our upcoming Pitch Day event. One thing that we all have in common is that we’re ready to get out and start our lives. As Tony Robbins said, “Change happens instantly, but it takes years to get to that point.”

We are excited for what the future holds when we are released. We all have our own story that makes us different from others. It is up to us to go out there and strive to be the better men we were meant to be. All the things that we have been taught in PEP are imperative and we need to put them to use, both for our benefit and for the benefit of others.

To my brothers of the Legends of the Fall ‘17, I would like to say to each and every one of you that I am proud to be called your brother. I couldn’t pick a better group of men to be by my side. And thank you, brothers, for all the time that you’ve invested into us.

Lucas T. (a.k.a. “Ice Cream Float”)

Friday October 20, 2017

Good morning PEP, it’s Friday and thank God that we get to see another day. Today started early and was full of excitement as we prepared for not one, but two guest speakers. The Legends of the Fall ’17 were up at 7 a.m. and getting ready to talk financials with Mr. Corey P.

Financials are a vital part of our business plans. As we grow closer to the Business Plan Competition, it is very important that our numbers all add up and that our plans prove we will be profitable. Later that afternoon, we discussed wardrobe with Mrs. Linda T.

We learned that in a business setting, those different colors could, and will, convey different messages. For instance, a black suit with a red tie could display a serious tone with just a hint of excitement. The Legends of the Fall ‘17 were happy for these life lessons, because as we go forward in life, these are things that we will hold onto. Thank you all for your support.

Dorian W. (a.k.a. “Pikachu”)

Expressions

 “Worry is interest paid on a debt we may never owe.”

~Unknown

What is faith and hope? Is it not the belief in something unseen and the belief in something yet to come? Well that’s exactly what worrying is. Worry is the belief of something that may never come. For people to say that it is impossible for them to have faith and hope, yet they have no trouble worrying all the time, they are only fooling themselves. Worry is only the fruits of hope and faith utilized in a negative way. What comes of thinking negative thoughts but a stressful day, and what comes of having faith but a peaceful mind? Try not to put your time and energy into negative things that may never come to pass, but instead place them in uplifting things. What’s the worst that could happen? They don’t come true? It’s much better to think good thoughts and nothing happen than to think bad thoughts and nothing happen, isn’t it?

Michael G. (a.k.a. “Rice Crispy Treat”)