I met James in the summer of 2010. He was 17 years old and he lived in Kenya. James attended a summer program I helped create called the Ultimate Life Summit. All of the students learn the 7 Mindsets that the world’s happiest and most successful people have in common. The purpose of the summit is to empower young people to live to their greatest potential so in turn they can live their ultimate life and make a positive impact on the world.
As you might imagine, learning
the 7 Mindsets is one thing but living them is entirely another. One way we
help our students put the mindsets into practice is through something we call
the Live to Give Challenge. We ask the students to connect something they are
passionate about with a social cause they truly believe in. Upon returning to
Kenya, James connected his passion for soccer with a very severe social issue.
Many young Kenyan teens join gangs and get involved in violent activities.
James organized a soccer league targeted to at-risk youth so they would learn
to play together instead of fight with one another. I received a special letter
from James and I ‘want to share part of it with you…
“Scott, have you ever had
elaborate plans that you were about to unleash on the world and then something
changed? Here’s what happened to me. I was asked to speak at a local high
school in Kenya to help motivate the students to improve their academic
performance. After a long day of teaching the 7 Mindsets to 500 students I went
into a lounge for some refreshments. It was there that I met a man named Alex.
Earlier in the day I listened as Alex played the guitar and sang beautiful
lyrics for the other students. It was truly inspiring. But now he looked
depressed so I approached him to see what was wrong.
“Alex told me that he’s had a
troubled past. He had to drop out of school when he was 14 because violence
erupted in his village. His family was forced to live in temporary shelters and
their belongings were regularly washed away in storms. Due to the pressure his
family fell apart. His father abandoned them and then his mother remarried leaving
him to fend for himself. He did menial jobs just to survive and eventually
saved some money to enroll in high school at the age of 22. However, he could
no longer afford the tuition of $400 and he was being asked to leave. Then he
turned to me and said, ‘James, I believe you can help me.’
“Without even thinking I blurted
out, ‘Me? I am only 19. I am younger than you. How can I help you?’ Scott, just
the day before I was paid $300 for work I had done at a research company. I had
been saving my money so in July I could buy some cows and start my own small
ranch. As you know I’ve been accepted into a college but I don’t have enough
money to attend. I’m trying to save money to help make my own dreams a reality.
Many thoughts swirled through my head and then I heard myself say, ‘Alex, I
will pay your fees.’
Well James, I couldn’t have said
it better myself. Since I know you read my weekly story I hope you don’t mind
that my response to you is shared with the 2 million other readers who receive
this every week. Your letter has inspired me to create a special Ultimate Life College
Scholarship Fund. There’s no need for you to apply as your actions speak louder
than anything you could put on paper. Congratulations James…you have become the
first Ultimate Life Scholar and with this designation I am awarding you a
$10,000 scholarship. James, pack your bags, you’re going to college! I believe
investing in you will pay the world many dividends. Thanks for reminding all of
us that the fastest way to live our own dreams is to first help someone else
live theirs.
Until next week…
Live Your Dreams
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