Guest Speaker

The President of City Furniture, Keith Koenig, spoke at my graduation a few weeks ago and what he said really resonated with me so I thought that I should share the 6 main points of his speech along with what scripture they reminded me of!

• Work Hard

Do you want to get ahead in life? Work harder. Go ahead and take the hard/dirty job nobody wants, it’s your chance to shine. Don’t ever be afraid to work more than what you’re paid for! Work harder and you’ll get the success you deserve!

Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

Psalm 16:3

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

• Keep a Good Attitude

No matter what happens, stay upbeat and positive. Why? Because people want to be around those who have a good attitude! There are plenty of people around the world that will want to bring you down; that’ll want to say negative things. Don’t be one of them! Don’t talk bad[ly] about other people; speak positively about everybody. Keep a positive, upbeat attitude even when it’s challenging.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

Psalm 118:24

This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

• Keep Learning

You’ve got a great deal! You’re graduating! That’s the great news! The bad news is that you’re just starting. You’ve got to keep learning your whole life.

Just read! Read more and watch T.V. less. Do you want to get ahead? Keep learning.

Proverbs 1:5

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance

Proverbs 1:7

Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

• Volunteer

Make your community better. Don’t just sit there, get out and get involved! Look at where you are today, it’s 2017. Everybody that has gone before you has built this wonderful country up to what it is, I know we’ve got some things to work on, I know there are issues, but you’re taking advantage of all the work that everybody’s done before you and you get to live in this great society that we have, the best in the world. You can make it better! I don’t care what organization or charity it’s for, give of yourself your time and don’t be afraid to take on leadership opportunities! They’re always looking for leaders that are willing to work for no pay, but you’ll find the most friends and you’ll get the best leadership development.

Matthew 25:35

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,

Matthew 25:40

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

• Save Your Money

Everybody in the world, including City Furniture, is trying to get you to spend your money, but save your money. Become the master of your finances or become a slave to your finances. A new car is overrated. Don’t be worried about what your friends have, or what they’re driving, or what they’re wearing, etc., that’s overrated. While you’re young, you’ve got to become disciplined, you have to become careful; you have to learn those habits now. You can do whatever you want in your life, but you have to manage and become the master of your finances.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Last and probably the most important…

• Find Balance in Your Life

Make time for your family. When you’re born there are people around you and they take care of you. When you get older you start to appreciate family. When you get to be an adult everything comes to make sense. When you get older, family is the most important thing in the world. So while you’re young take time for your family. Showing love to your family and friends is very important; don’t be afraid to do that. Within that balance of life, take time for yourself and whatever is important to you. But I’ll suggest that fitness needs to be a part of that. Fitness needs to be a part of your life even if you don’t like it. You’ll like it if you give it a chance. You’ve got to eat well and take care of yourself because if you’re going to be happy, healthy, and successful, fitness is a part of that.

Learn to say no to the bad habits. Learn to say no to the people who don’t have integrity. Find the friends that you have that are good, the ones that have integrity, and that develop good habits. Become a master of your habits or you’ll become a slave to them.

And last but certainly not least. The most important thing, within finding that balance, whether you’re Christian, Jewish, Muslim, we are all God’s beautiful creation.

He loves you and He wants to be a part of your life.

Let Him in.

Only then can you find true happiness.

Now, I shall share my favorite Irish blessing:

May God be with you and bless you.

May you see your children’s children.

May you be poor in misfortunes

And rich in blessings,

And may you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.

 

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