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Someone once said, "Show me your friends and I will tell you who you will become." Often students get impatient with the way parents are always trying to find out who their friends are, who they are going out with and who is calling on the phone. Why does mom press me so much
about my friends and acquaintances? The answer is simple. Mom knows something about something. Remember your parents were once where you are in life. Believe it or not, your parents were teenagers one day. And now today with all of the graphic influences in the lives of our young, more than ever we need to screen those influences. Many of the students who have lost the quality of life they desire did so as a result of the influence of some friend or acquaintance. How many times do we hear these phrases, "Let's cut class," "Let's drink this," "Let's smoke that," "Let's hook from school today," "Can I look on your paper?" or "Can I copy your homework?" Why do students make these demands of their peers? The answer is simple. No one likes being a fool all by himself or herself.

Influences. Half the battle in staying focused is to minimize the negative forces in your life. So guard your heart and your relationships. Be selective of who you hang out with. Although you and I both know you are destined to soar like an eagle in life, remember that soaring will never happen if you don't have the courage to cut off the "chickens" who are holding you back. Chickens don't fly. Whenever I visit my hometown, I always run into some of the same chickens that clucked their way through school years ago. And today they have a chicken existence. I have not accomplished as of yet all that I want in life, however I still have a lot of soaring going on. I made tough decisions concerning my friendships, relationships and acquaintances. I chose to fly. What about you?