Use These Thoughts and Rhymes to
STRENGTHEN YOUR POSITIVE THINKING!
From The “Original” Mike Smith
These tools can strengthen your social and personal interaction skills.
– the “Original” Mike Smith
Thoughts to Work With
Click or tap a title below to learn the rhyme!
Learn Rhymes for Reasoning
In Support of Thoughts by The “Original” Mike Smith
Things to Think About
It’s not what you think and it’s not what I think.
It’s what I think you think and you think I think
That tends to cause us to think what we think, they think.
I think. Don’t you?
And have you noticed what we think they’re thinking
Often turns out to be wrong.
‘Cause they don’t think about us all that often or that long.
So maybe it is good advice
To talk with them to hear
What they think they are thinking
Just to make the thinking clear.
Check Their Thinking
Many is the time that what you think they think, rules the day.
While what they think you think, most surely has a sway.
And it seems to happen many more times than not,
That they weren’t even thinking, what you thought they thought.
So to end this dilemma, always work from what you KNOW.
Check with them to make sure what you think they think, is SO.
This exchange of actual thinking will enlighten each of you,
And decisions that are made can be based on what is TRUE!
DON’T GUESS! TALK AND CHECK IT OUT!
Not Know'n
Not know’n stuff you should, can bring you to no good
But as a general rule, you’ll be twice as big a fool
For know’n that you know, stuff that just ain’t so.
My Creed
Today I’ll do those countless things that others will not do
So that tomorrow I can choose from things they cannot do.
You see, I am the only me there is and now what I must do
Is be the best ME I can be by what I choose to do.
Your Daily Creed
Today you do those important things
That others might not do,
So that tomorrow you can choose
From things they did not do.
You are the only you there is,
And now what you must do
Is build the best you, you can be
By what you choose to do!
Think about it!
Build a Happy You
Being happy’s not so very hard.
It’s all a state of mind.
It’s not just finding the things you like,
But learning to like the things you find.
The trick, my friend, is old but true—
Not only do the things you love,
But work to love the things you do.
Of Decisions
One can choose TO DO a deed, and TO LIKE that doing done
Or TO DO a deed and HATE that doing, but that’s not really fun.
And some can choose NOT TO DO the thing, and TO LIKE that choice they say.
While others choose NOT TO DO the thing, and NOT TO LIKE it “that a way.”
So from the four, we each must choose, as down life’s path we go
TO DO or NOT, TO LIKE or NOT, as by now I’m sure you know.
Do yourself a favor here, CHOOSE from the LIKING two.
CHOOSE “DO” or “DON’T” but LIKE the CHOICE, You know IT’S UP TO YOU!
And so with your CHOICES thus defined, your task is simplified.
But deciding not to CHOOSE my friend, is clearly to decide
So make the best of what you CHOOSE! The CHOICE to you must fall.
Best of luck in what YOU DO, YOU have the FINAL CALL.
Failing
“Failing” is an acronym for life and learning – both
It’s Finding An Important Lesson Inviting Needed Growth.
Few can find success in life
Without a bump or two.
The secret is in “learning”
From everything you do.
Boldly risk where you have gone
With head held high and straight.
Face your fears and learn new things
While others sit and wait.
Wait not! Risk Wisely! Learn Much!
Onboard Chip
There is INSIDE OUR EVERY HEAD,
A CHIP programmed by THINGS we’ve SAID.
It RECORDS our every THOUGHT and DEED
and FORMS our every WISH and NEED.
The HABITS LEARNED and BURNED into –
That CHIP CREATES what we can DO!
\Our VISIONS FILTERED through A GLASS,
MADE from MEMORIES of our PAST.
In DAILY CHOICES our chip SEEMS
to limit US to OUR past DREAMS.
It BLOCKS new things that COME our WAY
and LEAVES US with our YESTERDAY.
BUT at last, IT’S time TO LOOK and SEE
And SET the CHIP AS IT NEEDS TO BE.
Here’s a SPECIAL LITTLE TIP –
WE ALL HAVE AN ON-BOARD CHIP.
CHOOSE YOUR THOUGHTS AND WORDS WITH CARE,
THE FUTURE YOU IS BUILDING THERE!
To Do or Not To Do
So, here’s a plan that helps us
When we find ourself in doubt.
Ask these simple questions
And decisions JUMP RIGHT OUT!
If it’s neither fattening nor illegal
And it’s morally “OK,”
And if “no-thing” or “no-person”
Could get hurt in ANY WAY
And we might learn a thing or two
We didn’t know, we didn’t know
And in the process of the “learning”
Find a BETTER WAY TO GO.
THEN just decide to jump right in,
and give it all we’ve got
And THROUGH the ACT of “learning”
BUILD the ONE YOUR TOUGHT.”
How Words Work
The WORDS we choose to THINK and USE
Create the THOUGHTS and ATTITUDES,
that build the ACTIONS from which WE CHOOSE,
to FORM the HABITS so HARD to LOSE,
HIGHLIGHTING the character OTHERS see
and THEY decide THAT’S the KEY
for all the things they WANT TO BE
and thus will build their DESTINY!
Your words matter. Choose and use them well. They define you for the world!
Yes! You Can!
“I can’t” is not a phrase for you.
It’s not the goal that sees you through,
For you determine what you’ll do!
If you, by accident, forget
And say, “I can’t,” then it’s a bet
that you must quickly add a yet!
Simply find things you must use
To build those positive attitudes
So that in this life you won’t lose!
We each are who we choose to be
So, you need to find the key
That will build your destiny!
Yes! You can do this!
– The “Original” Mike Smith and Braden Smith
Smile
I know it isn’t easy when things look bleak and dark
to curl your lips and tell your eyes it’s time for them to SPARK,
But SMILING on the outside will warm your inside so.
Your SMILE will make some others SMILE and then more smiles will GLOW!
So, through life’s daily ups and downs show forth your SMILING FACE.
Just SMILE and pass it warmly on, YOU’LL build a better place!
Number One Rule for Success
When life seems like a minefield with choices full of DO’S AND DON’TS
Punctuated now and then by various “WILLS” and “WONT’S,”
And you’re looking for THE ANSWER, ’cause you know IT’S UP TO YOU;
It isn’t always easy and might hurt a time or two,
But it’s really always simple, DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU’LL DO.
Changing "GET TO's" Into "HAVE TO's"
Changing “HAVE TO’s” into “GET TO’s” is what SMILES are all about.
Choosing what OUR future holds by how WE work things out!
Seldom do we have a choice in what life sends our way,
But what we choose to see in it, now there we have a say.
When life is getting tedious and THE FUTURE seems so dark,
Give your ATTITUDE a jolt, aim for a higher mark.
Consider what you’re doing is really simple math
To build that kind of life YOU KNOW is waiting down the path.
Stand up tall. Call forth a SMILE. Change what you say to you.
Replace your “HAVE TO” with a “GET TO DO!”
You’ll see the road will lighten as you learn to do your best
And know the angry thinking was JUST A LEARNING TEST.
(and you got an A+!)
Life's Not Always Just Nor Fair
Now here’s a little truth I’ll share,
“Life’s not always just or fair.”
You’ll have your ups and downs, that’s true,
but staying down is up to you.
So if you’re knocked about a bit,
stumble and fall but never quit.
Stand back up, that’s what you do
‘cause staying down is up to you.
Face the forces of despair
and smile them down without a care.
You are in charge there is no doubt,
success is how YOU work things out.
So “fair” or “not” is not the fret.
It’s what you do with what you get.
The message here is always true,
“It’s not what happens. It’s what you do.”
Blaming
Pointing the finger of blame requires the curling back of three.
Its nature’s way of pointing out the blame must rest with me.
That might not a bad thought, as you can plainly see.
So if a BLAME is mine alone, SO MUST THE CREDIT BE.
A Good Night Prayer
Thank you, God, for this great day
And all the things that came my way.
And with tomorrow’s coming light
Help me to always do what’s right.
Please help me walk in happy shoes
And learn from every path I choose.
The lessons that are there for me
To be the best me I can be.
So when I lay me down to rest,
We’ll know I’ve done my very best.
And, Lord, my strength, my friend, my guide
Thank you for walking by my side.
For laughter when the road is rough
And courage when the times are tough.
And tears that wash away the pain.
Thank you, Lord, for everything!
IMPORTANT SELF-TALK
All too often “GOOD ENOUGH” is where OUR weak hearts stop.
It keeps the very “best” of US from rising to the top.
“Enough” implies just getting by and “good” falls short of “best.”
So good enough” is average stuff and seldom meets the test.
But WE don’t have to settle there. WE have what it takes.
Push ourselves to do our best, it’s how WE build the “breaks.”
Remember that the choice is yours and you alone choose either,
But those who shine are those who know “GOOD ENOUGH IS NEITHER!”
A Fact of Life
Here’s a fact of life I know
And one I gladly share.
When thoughts are what you need to sow,
My friend, be most aware:
That no one cares how much you know
Until they KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE!
No Excuses, Please
Sometimes we make mistakes my friend,
We unwisely speak or act.
It’s best to “fess up” then and there
And accept that very fact.
We’re human and we know it
And to us it’s not abuse
Until we decide we’re stupid
And offer some excuse.
Blaming or deflecting blame
Is such a useless play.
Accept responsibility
For all you do and say.
Excuses get us nowhere.
They can’t undo a damage done.
When it comes to “making right,”
THE BEST EXCUSE IS NONE.
"We Can" is the Key
“We can” is the beginning, the place for US to START.
To build that new tomorrow, that lives there in OUR HEART.
OUR words are most important, but OUR ACTIONS are WHAT COUNTS.
SUCCESS is measured NOT IN POUNDS but always by the OUNCE.
THE ENGINE OF SUCCESS is powered, it is, oh SO CLEAR TO SEE,
By the fuel that’s called COMMITMENT, and we know—THAT IS THE KEY!
THE Y-NOT-KNOT
In times of trouble, fear and doubt,
Here’s a way to work things out.
Sometimes our lifelines tangle and fray,
So, we TIE KNOTS to save the day.
The knots we’ll need in our life’s rope,
Are the knots we tie with the strength of HOPE.
Knots made strong not by the tying,
But by the THOUGHTS THERE UNDERLYING.
It’s the “why-not-knots” tied, to help ALL SEE,
Those special things as they “SHOULD BE.”
Where the image made by the words placed there,
Bring forth GREAT DREAMS FOR ALL TO SHARE.
So, the future becomes THOSE INSIGHTS SOUGHT
Brought to life by OUR Y-NOT-KNOT, KNOT.
Rhymes for Educators
In Support of Thoughts by The “Original” Mike Smith
I Teach!
To know or do one thing well,
You know is really neat;
But someone has to TEACH you,
If the odds you’re going to beat.
We have heard it since forever,
And through time it’s stood the test:
When the challenge is to master,
Learn only from the BEST!
But if the Master masters
And had not the skills to teach,
All that they learned
Is left beyond our human reach.
The moral of this story,
You know my friend is true:
Those who can must teach
While those who “can” just do.
And those of us who have those skills
To HELP those young minds reach
Have got to stand and tell the world:
YES! I’M PROUD I TEACH!
– THE “ORIGINAL” MIKE SMITH
Yes, I'm Proud I Teach!
To know or do one thing well,
You know is really neat;
But someone has to TEACH you,
If the odds you’re going to beat.
We have heard it since forever,
And through time it’s stood the test:
When the challenge is to master,
Learn only from the BEST!
But if the Master masters
And had not the skills to teach,
All that they learned
Is left beyond our human reach.
The moral of this story,
You know my friend is true:
Those who can must teach
While those who “can” just do.
And those of us who have those skills
To HELP those young minds reach
Have got to stand and tell the world:
YES! I’M PROUD I TEACH!
– THE “ORIGINAL” MIKE SMITH
That Little Spark
What a shame that most, seldom (if ever) get to see
That little spark, you know the one, the one you shared with me.
When I was just beginning and I knew I knew it all,
You moved the “mats” and weaved the nets to break my every fall.
You pushed me to learn, in spite of me, the things you knew I’d need.
So carefully the rows you plowed and planted there the seed –
To build that kind of person who’ll learn and think and see
The PROMISE IN TOMORROW – to do and strive and be,
To be that special person you knew was locked inside
And freed by you because you cared and worried, worked and tried.
I know it wasn’t easy. Doubts? You must have had a few.
Thank you for persisting. I owe so much to you.
Because of you I’m striving in what I do and say,
To share that precious little spark – the one you gave away.
“Spark sharing” works! Pass it on!
– THE “ORIGINAL” MIKE SMITH
The HeARTist
You, as an artist, mold a bold new way
Using all you do each day
As you expose the things that matter –
By your actions – not your chatter.
You take small bits of LIVING clay
And help them form THEMSELVES each day.
Your talents, experience and skill
Come together with THEIR will,
And from this union there is wrought
A person strong – or strong not.
The ideas, concepts, skills and dreams
You impart (it surely seems)
Will mold those persons in your charge
to think small, or to think large.
You never know who’s sitting there,
Those young people in your care.
But their minds – when by your thoughts expanded
Will produce the FORM demanded,
And help them shape what they will be
Forever after, don’t you see?
When your work exudes enthusiasm,
You can often bridge that chasm
Between the generations here found
And provide a place where thoughts abound!
It’s from your guidance they will see
A better world as it COULD be,
And like the potters and the clay,
You will be ONE with them that day:
Forever after in their lives
A small piece of YOU survives.
Just as your mentor YOUR heart shares,
a piece of you now shines in THEIRS!
– THE “ORIGINAL” MIKE SMITH
For the Difference Maker
You picked us up when we were down
You smiled when all went wrong
You stayed beside us when we failed
You taught us to be strong.
A thousand things you did for us
I’m sure you’re unaware
But know, because you showed us,
We, too, now help and care.
You are always a giver
While we sometimes just take
You are a special kind of person
And what a difference you make.!
In this life there are teachers, mentors and
DifferenceMakers. You are a Difference Maker!
– THE “ORIGINAL” MIKE SMITH
The Clay
I took a piece of plastic clay
and idly fashioned it one day.
And as my fingers pressed it still
it moved and yielded to my will.
I came again when days were passed;
the bit of clay was hard at last.
The form I gave it still it bore,
and I could change that form no more.
I took a piece of living clay
and gently formed it day by day
And molded with my power and art –
a young child’s warm and yielding heart.
I came again when years were done;
it was a man I looked upon.
He still that early impress bore,
and I could change that form no more.
– AUTHOR UNKNOWN
Princes and Kings
Isn’t it strange how princes and kings,
and clowns that caper in sawdust rings,
and common people, like you and me,
are builders for eternity?
Each is given a list of rules;
a shapeless mass; a bag of tools.
And each must fashion, ere life is flown,
A stumbling block, or a Stepping-Stone.
– R. LEE SHARPE
I'm Average
I don’t cause teachers trouble; my grades have been okay.
I listen in my classes and I am in school every day!
My parents think I’m AVERAGE; my teachers think so too.
I wish I didn’t know that ‘cause there’s lots I’d like to do.
I’d like to build a rocket; I have a book that tells me how.
Or start a stamp collection, but no use in trying now.
Since I learned I’m average, it is plain for me to see,
there is nothing special I should expect of me.
– ANONYMOUS
And, if you want to change your world…
…learn why and how words matter!
Check out Mike’s presentation Things You Need to Know About Words
Self-talk tips:
Make Good Choices Right Now!
In every moment there is an opportunity to choose—one second when you make the choice to select the negative or the positive. Emotion will often take a way your good sense, so it is best to choose between these actions before you are stressed.
Review the choices below. Make the positives your DESIRED ACTIONS for life’s situations.
The Positive (+)
Always smile
Look for what is good
Offer a hug
Always count to ten
Walk away
First listen to learn
Look for the humorous
Seek to lift up
Act towards a goal
Look for solutions
Look to support
Look for blessings
Be calm
Look for uplifting lessons
Seek positive change
The Negative (-)
Show no emotion
Look for what is bad
Be prepared to hit
Emotionally blow up
Move to attack
Speak only to impress
Look for what hurts you
Seek to tear down
React without thinking
Look for problems
Criticize
Look for pain providers
Be angry
Fear failing
Try to stay the same
Follow-up Questions
Pick a few.
- Who controls what we say to ourselves? Can what we say to ourselves be controlled?
- Are we creatures of habit? Can we change a habit?
- Name three good habits and two bad ones?
- What things do humans have in common? See how many we can list.
- Do we really have choices about our attitudes?
- How does that “words to thoughts to attitudes to actions to habits to character to destiny work? Is that about reputation?
- Why should we smile for 21 days? Does it do any good? Why or why not?
- Are we each really unique? What makes us so since we have so much in common?
- How is THIS day the single most important educational experience of your life?
- What role do we each play in our own continuing education?