Miss Peacock

1
Miss Peacocks Words of Wisdom
2
Why Me???

• One might wonder how much wisdom a 29 year old
  can have.
• Compared to a 14 year old, I may actually be
  wise!
• Im a sucker.
• Secretly, I just love giving speeches, so I said
  yes!

3
Platitudes

• Be a good person.
• Be a lifelong learner.
• Forgive others.
• Look on the bright side.
• Dont sweat the small stuff.
• Treat others with respect.
• Laughter is the best medicine.
• Its whats on the inside that counts.
• Dont make promises you can't keep.
• Youll regret the things you didnt do.

4
You Know this Stuff!

• You already know the good advice.
• Your parents, friends, elders, etc have taught
  you this.
• You can look it up!
• You have already begunmaking choices about
  which ones you will follow and which ones you
  will ignore nothing I can say in the next 15
  minutes will really change you as a person.

5
My Own Brand of Wisdom

• Avoid moral platitudes and try to give you
  practical advice.
• (That doesnt mean the other stuff isnt good!)
• These are some of the core principles that I
  try to live by and I hope that you can see some
  of them in the way I live my life.

6
An Acronym!

• Ducks Swim Really Fast When Sneaky Beavers Attack!

In no particular order
7
Ducks Do the Next Thing

• When an opportunity arises, take it!
• The key thing to ask yourself What's the worst
  that can happen?
• If the next thing doesnt come, make your own
  future.

8
Swim Surround Yourself with Good, Positive People

• Dont invest yourself in people who dont support
  and encourage you.
• Have people who you trust and respect in your
  life so that you can seek their wisdom when you
  need it.
• Make friends with your family (eventually).

9
Really Record your Life

• Memories fade
• Take time to reminisce and reflect on how far
  youve come.
• Remember pain.
• Remember joy.

• Do it whether its through writing stories,
  music, poetry, photos, journaling or some other
  means.

10
Fast Find Yourself First

• It's important to be yourself, but it's essential
  to find out who you are first.
• As much as possible dont make decisions based on
  what others will think.
• Keep in mind that who you are changes over
  time.
• Know that figuring out who you are is an
  ongoing process.

11
When Waste as Little Time as Possible

• Relationships Hes/Shes just not that into you.
• Life Its just not working.
• We are taught to try, and it is difficult to know
  when to give up.
• Thats why you need good people in your life.
• Learn to be honest with yourself.

12
Sneaky Seek Balance

• Once you know yourself, find balance by
  stretching yourself.
• If you tend to use your head, try using your
  heart sometimes.
• If you tend to playit safe, take risks.
• If you tend to stayquiet, speak up.
• A balanced life is a healthy life (generally).

13
Beavers Be an Effective Communicator

• No skill in life will serve you better, whether
  it is at school, on the job or with others.
• This is not always easy for some people.
• (I told you thesewere in no order!)

14
Attack Accept Nurture Yourself

• We hear this all the time, but what does it mean
  to accept and nurture yourself?
• Know your skills and accept your limits.
• Take care of your body and start young.
• Do things for yourself if you have a tendency not
  to.
• Accept your inner nerd he/she is what makes
  you who you are.
• Very few things willdirect your life more than
  your own self-esteem.

15
One Cheesy Line

• So that is the wisdom that I would want to impart
  to you on this day.
• Like me, it will probably change in time.
• I hope someone at some point asks you to reflect
  on what advice you would give and what your own
  words of wisdom would be.
• May the streams and currents of life continue
  to uncover the gold in each of you.