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An Honor: It’s Just About… Life.

June 6, 2013 By markbrodinsky 2 Comments

Sophie's HonorYou are not bestowed this honor because you were born smart, you earned it. You worked hard to get here, never stop growing. Growth is the most important thing, grades are secondary. Keep a growth mindset and you will continue to excel.

That was the message delivered last night by Franklin Middle School Principal Bryan Thanner. He gave the keynote address at the Induction Ceremony for the National Junior Honor Society. My daughter Sophie and more than several of her good friends were inducted as one of the 7th grade inductees. I bring up her friends, (and sorry don’t have pictures of all of them here), with good reason, you get what you want in life by working hard for it, but you also need to surround yourself with the right people. About a dozen other of Sophie’s friends were also honored. If you want to grow in life, that matters. Hang with great people, attend great events, work hard on being the best you can be and choose the right relationships along the way.

We are so proud of Sophie and her accomplishments, but it doesn’t end here, it can’t, it won’t. If she truly wants to live life and experience the best, she can never stop growing. The true joy of her existence is in the journey. For Sophie, for all of us.

A growth mindset is the key. Sophie is learning that, heck I’m still learning that. Work hard on your job, focus on your responsibilities, live your dreams and work even harder on yourself to reach those dreams. Leadership guru and best-selling author John Maxwell says he owes everything, everything in his life, to his focus on personal growth. It’s the joy of the journey, not the destination. Maxwell lives a life of wealth and fulfillment because he maintains a disciplined approach to growth every day. We all can do it. You can, I can. Focus on getting one-tenth of one-percent better each and every day. The smallest of steps lead to the greatest rewards. It’s all it takes, to be better than who you were the day before. Never stop growing.

Vice-principal Thanner based his remarks on a concept and a book by Stanford University Carol Dweck. Through study and research, Dweck has found that teaching a growth mindset creates motivation and productivity in the worlds of business, education and sports. (www.mindsetonline.com)

I love it. I love to hear words and ideas like these shared with young teens still finding their way through a noisy world filled with endless distractions. It’s not easy for our children to stay on target, to focus on what they need to do, to focus on growth, but when they do, honors like the one bestowed upon them last night are possible. Not just possible, they are destined.

The National Honor Society pledge: I pledge myself to uphold the high purposes of the National Junior Honor Society to which I have been selected. I will be true to the principles for which it stands; I will be loyal to my school; and will maintain and encourage high standards of scholarship, service, leadership citizenship and character.

The great path of life lies in front of these children. And just like Vice-Principal Thanner reminded them, the path to success is lined with failure, so never get complacent. And never ever believe the “hype” about yourself because if that happens you will become fearful of failure. Yet the greatest success stories come from those who have tried and failed, but never gave up. Change is inevitable, growth is optional.

I hope all of those honored continue to make the most of their options. Continue to grow, and congratulations for a job well done.

And to Sophie, thanks for making us proud. I love you for being you.

Until next time, thanks for taking the time.

Mark

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Comments

  1. Marilyn Lefkowitz says

    June 6, 2013 at 8:13 am

    Through you Mark, I’ll wish Sophie congratulations!! Quite an honor! I know how proud you & your family are! Nice going & kudos for Sophie!

    Reply
    • Mark Brodinsky says

      June 6, 2013 at 8:58 am

      Thank you Marilyn.

      Reply

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WOW!!! It Takes 2 is a must read for anyone who has known someone diagnosed with cancer or other life threatening disease. This is the real story of a family lead by an incredible woman, Debbie Brodinsky, who took radical steps to beat the breast cancer beast. The story is told by her husband, Mark Brodinsky, through journal entries he kept starting with diagnosis through one year cancer free. This author's unique ability to pour his heart out onto the page draws you in from the beginning and holds you until the very end.

Thanks to Mark and Debbie Brodinsky for this gift...I have a new perspective on what it means to be a breast cancer survivor. You are a hero, Debbie Brodinsky!

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This book gives a heartfelt, in depth description of what it is like to go through breast cancer with the one you love. It is beautifully written and I felt as though I was living it with them! I highly recommend this book!

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In It Takes 2, Mark Brodinsky windows us into his world where his wife, the cancer patient, is not the only victim. Part journal, part roadmap, It Takes 2 goes to the real humanity of facing the mortality of one's better half. Mark's candid perspective, love, and fierce intention resonate with hope in a story which is about much more than cancer. Mark himself is perhaps the most heroic character for the way he appreciates this life and so many of us in it...as he says, "thanks for caring."

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It Takes Two: A Spouse's Story by Mark Brodinsky should be read by every person who is experiencing serious illness or injury or by a loved one of someone who is experiencing either of those situations. The book is an eloquent testament to the power of love and the healing energy derived from the belief that things will get better. There is not one word of "poor me" from the author or his wife who suffered breast cancer and the radical surgery she elected to have to beat the cancer. Rather, the book is a celebration of the courage displayed by them both in seeing it through.

The book also encourages readers to speak and write down their true feelings and be validated in them. John Mackovic writing in the Palm Springs, CA Desert Sun on November 2, 2013 quoted author and artist Doe Zantamata who said, " To be happy, you don't have to do anything new. You just have to remember how to believe again...Believe everything good is possible. Believe in your dreams. Believe in people. Believe in love. But most of all...believe in yourself." The author, his wife, their family and extended family and friends never stopped believing in his wife's recovery, and I think, in themselves. Read this book and believe.

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This book is a must read for anyone with a family member with breast cancer. It takes you through the spouse's perspective from diagnosis to recovery. Mark journaled his wife's journey and put all of his emotions out there. It is beautifully written and inspiring to anyone going through breast cancer. Thank you, Mark for sharing Debbie's story.

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A friend recommended this book. This was a great perspective of a man standing beside his partner and passing along to the reader fear, hope, useful information and a broader story than his own. I loved Vinnie the tattoo artist. This is a great book. Thanks for sharing, Mark and "thanks for caring"

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This book is a must read. What sets this book apart from other books about surviving breast cancer is that it is told by the husband and his point of view, not from the survivor. At times sad, at times poignant but even through the worst of it you can always feel the love he has for his wife, her strength and the strength of their extended family and friends. The posts that are included from their friends and family lets you really into the heart and strength of the family. I would recommend this book to anyone who is currently going through this, whether you are the person or the caregiver. I also recommend this book to anyone who has a friend that has been or is currently going through their fight now. It was an eye opener for me.

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There isn't a shortage of books about breast cancer, but most are written from the perspective of the person who has battled cancer or a physician or other expert. What an enlightening experience to read about breast cancer from a husband and caregiver's perspective! Not only does the author give us insight into his wife's experience and emotions, but he openly shares and reveals his love, compassion, support, and, yes, sometimes anger at the disease as he stands by his wife's side during their journey to beat the beast. Your story may not be the same, but I guarantee if you have a loved one battling cancer, you won't go wrong reading It Takes 2.

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From the moment I opened this book I never stopped reading. Mark invites the reader to come along on this journey that his family went through. I cried, laughed and learned so much. This book will give comfort and knowledge to those going through similar situations. Most importantly, Mark and his family never give up. They get knocked down and get right back up. They fought cancer together and with their strength, determination and will to prevail... They do!

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