In This Issue:
	Your Voice Matters
	You Were Once a Sperm
	An Excuse for Living
	People with Purpose
	Jeff's Thought
	The Jeff Yalden Experience? .. Priceless!
	Jeff's Upcoming Schedule
	What's New with Jeff
	The Portable Jeff
	Jeff's Goal - 10,000 Subscribers!
	Subscriber Information

Thoughts for Purpose

"You either live in-purpose or out-of-purpose. Those that are out-of-purpose should step aside because those that are in-purpose are going places."
- Jeff Yalden

"Miserable are the persons who do not have something beyond themselves to search for."
- Charles L. Allen

"More men fail through lack of purpose than through lack of talent."
- Billy Sunday

"Anyone who values present comfort more highly than the attainment of a purpose is contributing to disillusionment and disappointment, because it is uncomfortably true that no person ever passes his self-imposed limitations.
- Royal Bank of Canada

"When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it.
- W. Clement Stone

 Your Voice Matters

As I travel the United States it has become evident that young people have good opinions and should be used as credible resources. I not only speak to over half a million youth annually but, I ALSO LISTEN! They are intelligent, knowledgeable, and capable and so are the caring adults who try to lead them in positive directions.

It is my hope that this newsletter reaches over 10,000 people this year giving a voice to young people and the adults who guide them. The goal is to bring together youth and adult leaders by providing stories, comments and other educational resources. I thank you for your support and encourage you to use and pass this newsletter on to anyone you think would benefit. I offer thoughts and opinions and in no way intend to offend or insult anyone. I am sure you understand.

Should you like to add something that you think would benefit the masses of in-purpose people please feel free to email me at jeffyalden@aol.com.

You Were Once a Sperm
by Jeff Yalden

You were once a sperm. Now, you weren't just any sperm, but one of almost 500 million! The day you came into existence you immediately entered the biggest race of your life. You ran as fast as you could down a long tunnel and watched as half of your competitors fell over and died or went the wrong way. Other sperm tried to push you down, but you kept going. You reached the egg first. You won! From the very beginning of your life, you have been a winner.

Keeping Your True Purpose
When we're born, we're always born "in purpose"; we're born a people of character, with strength and fierce determination. However, when we allow others to exert too much influence in our lives, we become "out of purpose." We need to remember that the best way to keep our true purpose in life is to stay true to ourselves.

The people who influence your life play a big role in the person you become. Who you are is a result of who you associate with. You will undoubtedly learn things from the company you keep, for good or evil. Just as birds teach other birds how to fly and fish teach other fish how to swim, people teach other people how to be human. So make sure the people you hang around with are people that will lift you up, not bring you down.

Struggling is Okay
Life is hard. If it's not one thing, it's another. From failed tests to fights with your friends to not making the team, you will experience challenges. From your womb to your doom, from your cradle to your grave, you will always struggle. Sometimes the struggling will seem overwhelming. Hang in there. Struggling will build your character.

Remember that adults have been through their share of struggles. Don't be afraid to approach them and ask them the tough questions about how to handle difficult situations. You may be surprised, but adults often have gone through very similar struggles to what you are going through. Don't wait for adults to approach you. They may not know that you're going through a tough time. Open up to them. You may be surprised how helpful they can be.

Stay True to Yourself
Your self-respect must be just that -- self-respect. It must be greater than anything a person, place, or thing could ever give you. Maintaining self-respect requires effort. We lose self-respect two ways: by comparing ourselves to others and by presenting a "masked face" to people we aren't sure will like us.

By comparing yourself with other people; you compromise your values and lower your standards. Don't do it. You know your morals and principles. Stick to them and don't worry about anyone else.

Many people, especially students, tend to be too concerned with what other people think. As a result, they put on a chameleon-like mask, trying to gain the approval of others, and only take it off if they think people will like the "real" them.

As a person of character, you should not be concerned about what other people think; other people should be more concerned with who you are. When you respect yourself, you will not feel the need to be accepted by others. Rather, others will feel the need to be accepted by you.

Character Versus Reputation
In the beginning, our society was formed due to our forefathers' character. We've now become a society based on our influences. We're living more by reputation. But your reputation is like the wind; it will come and it will go. Your character, however, is like the foundation of this country; it will not sway one way or another. You need to be more concerned about your character than your reputation because your character is who you are. Your reputation is simply who other people think you are.

You are Still a Winner
Always remember who you were when you were born. You were born "in purpose," but now your influences can change everything. It's through the influences in your life that you can become stupid. Don't let that happen. Instead, make sure you stay true to yourself and keep company with people of good character, just like you. Stay true to yourself. And remember, you were born a winner. You can still win any race. (top)

An Excuse for Living

A little boy came running home from his first day of school and told mom that he had to bring in a copy of his birth certificate so the school could be sure of accurate records. But certificate was a pretty big word for this boy to handle, although he had grasped the idea. Bounding into the house with his important message, he promptly called out, "Mom, tomorrow I have to take my excuse for being born."

Think about it. That is a pretty interesting way of putting it, huh? An excuse for living. Everyone should have one. What's your excuse? Anyone's life can be noble, free, and useful; or it can be slovenly, vile, and wasted. It all depends upon our choices. We can reach for the highest goals, or we can aim at nothing and hit it. (top)

People with Purpose

Our lives are inspired by people who determined their life's purpose and then committed themselves to attaining it. These people unknowingly heeded the advice of Andew Carnegie who said, "Put all your eggs in one basket and then watch the basket to see that no one kicks it over."

Rosa Parks
Institutionalized injustice prompted a middle-aged woman in Montgomery, Alabama, to take a stand for personal dignity. Rosa Parks believed that having to give up her seat on the bus because she was black was not right. She took a stand for human rights that is recorded in history as the day equality for all people was put in a new perspective.

Bob Doss
Bob was touched by his daughter's comment that many of the kids she knew were dropping out of high school. Doss remembered his own academic struggles and felt a tremendous desire to take charge and make something happen for these dropouts or potential dropouts. He began Upward Bound Academy in Bridgeport, CT. Bob Doss recognized an urgent need to give these going-nowhere kids a new hope in life. Bob Doss made "giving kids a chance" his life purpose.

Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi, along with the people of India, wanted freedom from the rule of the British. He refused to engage in brutal battles where many lives would be lost. Instead, Gandhi organized nonviolent protests against British rule, which initially drew laughter and hesitancy from the masses. How could freedom be possible without bloodshed? His persistence to purpose paid off. Not only did India achieve independence, but his refusal to turn to violence set a standard of life for the Indian population. Gandhi demonstrated to his people - and the world - that change was possible through nonviolent means.

Moses
A meek, unassuming prophet named Moses encountered the burning bush and heard the angel of Jehovah. This life-changing experience transformed Moses into a leader who led his people out of bondage in Egypt and through the wilderness, and who delivered the Ten Commandments. Instead of a wandering generality, Moses became a meaningful specific with a relentless determination to carry out his single-minded purpose: to free his people from slavery. So, Moses stood before Pharaoh and with a newfound confidence demanded, "Let my people go!" (top)

Jeff's Thought

"It's the holiday season time of year. Make this the best holiday season ever. Enjoy time with family, friends, and loved ones. Make this a time where you rekindle old relationships and make them good again. Make this a time where you spend quality time with family that you don't often get to spend time with. Remember, it's about giving not necessarily gifts but giving of yourself to others. Make this a great time of year. It's your choice. Do the right thing this holiday season. Have no regrets." (top)

Jeff's Upcoming Schedule
(or view his schedule on-line)

Jeff (top)

Jeff's Audio Message for December:

Push the play button to hear Jeff's message.

Don't see the play button or would like to hear more from Jeff? Then follow the link below to..

..more Audio Clips

What's New with Jeff

Your Personal Audio
Check out the audio on Jeff's website. Now you too can add your own personal testimony of how Jeff's program influenced your life or you and your friends life. Please feel free to call toll free 1-800-609-9006 ext. 6372 and leave a 15 second to 2 minute personal testimony of what Jeff Yalden's program meant to you. Also, check out the website www.JeffYalden.com for personal audio from Jeff. Check in monthly to hear the audio clip of the month from Jeff.

Stay tuned as we release the following new items over the coming weeks..

Posters
Jeff has developed posters available for schools. There is a 'Jeff is Coming' poster for your students and staff to get a taste of what's to come. There is also the 'After Jeff' poster for your students to never forget the message and the valuable words of wisdom that Jeff has shared with you.

New Demo Video
Stay tuned for a new video that is being finished and should be up on the website by mid December.

Book
Jeff's new book "20 Ways to Keep It Simple" will be available soon. With the New Year fast approaching, we can all stand to "keep it simple."

T-SHIRTS
WOW - Check it out on the website after December 15th, 2003. AWESOME. Only $15.00. Sizes M, L, XL, XXL.

Keep your eye on this newsletter and our website for these exciting new products!.

The Portable Jeff:

Keep It Simple - A Teenagers Guide to Life

This book embodies the Jeff Yalden philosophy. Since 2000, this book has sold thousands of copies both within the continental US and internationally. "Life isn't complicated, we complicate life".. Read more.. (and for ordering information)

Traits of a Leader - A Character Based Workbook for Student Leaders

This book covers the most important elements on the subject of character to help you become the kind of person you want to be. Read more.. (and for ordering information)

LEAD NOW or Step Aside!

A must-read for student educators and leaders - written by Jeff and 15 of today's top education speakers. Read more.. (and for ordering information)

Video

Bring Jeff home and watch it over and over and over. Never forget the fundamentals Jeff shares with a personal video. Read more.. (and for ordering information)

Preview Jeff

Click on Jeff's image to get a glimpse of the excitement he'll bring to your school. Check back in for Jeff's new video available soon.

Bring Jeff to Your Event

"It was worth more than four years of college" - T. O'Rourke, Principal, Bishop Nuemann HS, Williamsport, PA

Contact Jeff today to find out how you can put his powerful message to work to positively impact the lives of your students.

Call 1-800-948-9289 to find out how to bring Jeff to your next educational event or visit us on-line at JeffYalden.com.

Jeff's Newsletter Goal

My goal is to reach 10,000 people with this newsletter over the next year but I need your help. If you know someone who will benefit from this message - a student, educator, parent - please pass it on. Use the Forward to a Friend link below to send a copy of this issue to anyone who will benefit from it. Don't worry, they won't be subscribed unless they ask to be.

Forward To a Friend

Each issue I will report our progress towards this goal. This newsletter is currently reaching 2119 subscribers! Only 7881 to go by June 2004!

Subscriber Information
If you're a new subscriber, be sure to log onto our web site at jeffyalden.com to read articles and view past issues.

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JEFF YALDEN'S 'MOTIVATE' NEWSLETTER
Published by Motivate by Jeff Yalden Programs
Volume 1, Issue 8 December 2003
Publisher: Jeff Yalden - JeffYalden@aol.com
Copyright 2003 Jeff Yalden All rights reserved.

Next issue: January 2004 .. Happy New Year!