RSS Feed

As you read this column, think about if you are completely happy with your life and everything you are doing. If so, congratulations, as in today’s times you are a very rare person.
If, however, you still have some goals you would like to reach and have a strong desire to improve yourself in a variety of ways, then read on because I have some ideas that will be of value to you. And please keep in mind what the late Will Rogers had to say about learning. He said, “It is just as important to be reminded as it is to be educated.” None of us is smart enough to remember everything we know, and sometimes a little reminder of the right things at the right time can make a big difference in our lives.
Back in 1970 I was privileged to go into business with the late Bob Gannaway, my former Dale Carnegie instructor, to sell and distribute the Earl Nightingale Attitude Motivation messages that were recorded on cassette. In case you may not know, Earl Nightingale was known as the Dean of Personal Motivation and his daily radio show “Our Changing World” was carried by more than 1,000 radio stations, making it the most successful commercially sponsored radio programs in the history of American broadcasting. He was also one of the few survivors of the battleship Arizona when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
While you may have heard it before, the reason I share this background information is because one of his recordings titled “The Strangest Secret” was the only inspirational recording in history to ever sell a million copies. The strangest secret is simply that we become what we think about, something most of knows but spend very little time thinking about. The Bible says it another way, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” -- Proverbs 23:7. Well, believe it or not, this is why most people do not have the things they would like to have or be the kind of person they would like to be.
Yes, it really comes down to our thinking, and the bottom line is that most of us do not have an “abundance” mindset. Rather, we have a “scarcity” mindset, which is to say we place limitations on our thinking. The other day I heard the best example I have ever heard that clearly demonstrates the true abundance that is there for each of us to claim and to use for our own advantage. If you have ever gone to the ocean and sat on the beach, did you notice how the waves came in one right after the other? And as long as you sat there, even for hours they just kept coming one after the other. Yes, there is an abundance of waves and water that is right before us as far as the eye can see. There is opportunity all around us in the same way.
We also see other examples of nature that confirm this principle. If we plant one bushel of potato seed in the ground, we can get back 60 bushels of potatoes in return. A single tomato seed can multiply itself a million times in a year. Ten forests can come out of one acorn. Plant a pound of onion seed and we may reap 10 tons of onions. One twig from an apple tree planted in the ground may become a great tree, producing foliage and blossoms and fragrance and fruit not just one year, but for many years, multiplied many, many times. And there are countless other examples. In our mind we must think abundance and not be weighed down with negative people, negative news and negative events that take place all around us every single day.
---
(Editor’s Note: JIM DAVIDSON is an author, public speaker, syndicated columnist and Founder of the Bookcase for Every Child project. Since its inception in 1995, Jim’s column has been self-syndicated to over 375 newspapers in 35 states making it one of the most successful in the history of American journalism.)

The next day after Tommy Byler was named the new superintendent of Vermilion Parish public schools, Denise Lotief was named the interim principal at North Vermilion High School.
Before his promotion, Byler was the principal at North Vermilion, and Lotief was one of two assistant principals.
Lotief has been an assistant principal at NVHS for the last six years.
She will remain the interim principal until a permanent one is hired.
Byler is expected to platoon back and forth from the central office and North Vermilion High for the next week or two.
The school district has to open the position and then interview the candidates. Look for the new principal to be named before the start of school on Aug. 27.
If Lotief is hired as the permanent principal at NVHS, then applications will have to be taken for a new assistant principal job at NVHS.

The Vermilion Parish School Board is now leaving it up to the principals of each school, to decide on what type of face mask is acceptable or not acceptable to worn by students.
Last week the school board created a new mask policy that will let students and staff wear face coverings that contain references to the school system (i.e., name or insignia) or individual schools within the system (i.e., name or mascot), which are approved by the principals.
However, the face mask or face covering still has to be solid with only the school name, logo or mascot written on it.
School board member Kristy Hebert wanted the face masks to have dots and stripes, but that idea was not agreed on.
The school system will also furnish students with cloth masks before school begins.

Here are the school board’s guidelines for face coverings for students:

• Cloth, disposable or clear window masks and neck gaiter are allowed. Face shields in conjunction with masks are allowable. Bandanas are not allowed.
• Face coverings shall be solid in color and shall contain no pictures, writings, or messages of any kind.
• Cloth, disposable or clear window masks and neck gaiters are allowed. Face shields in conjunction with masks are allowable.
• Bandanas are not allowed. Emblems and/or insignias that promote profanity, obscenity, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gangs, wrestling related symbols, or hate type slogans, hashtags, or politically divisive language and/or symbols etc. are prohibited. (Adopted by VPSB on 8/6/2020)

Proper Wear:

Face coverings should be worn as to cover both nose and mouth.

Guidelines for Non-Compliance (Refusal):
• 1st offense - Verbal Warning
• 2nd offense - Parent Conference
• 3rd offense - Detention
• 4th offense - Students who continue to refuse to wear a face covering as outlined in the VPSB face-covering policy will be required to enroll in Virtual Vermilion.
This face-covering policy is mandatory for grades 3rd – 12th.

August 12, 1970 - August 7, 2020

ABBEVILLE — Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 11:00AM at Faith Hope Christian Fellowship in Abbeville.
Interment will be held at St. Paul Cemetery following the funeral.
Ivory John Levine, “Spanky” a wonderful Husband, Father, Brother, and Friend took his rest on August 7, 2020 at the age of 49. Spanky’s departure was unexpected and has hit the hearts of all those who were blessed to know him or meet him. His love for family often moved him to plan many gathers for family and friends to enjoy spending time together to express One Love and the importance of Family and unity.
Ivory was born on August 12, 1970 to the late Julius Campbell Jr. and the late Georgia Mae Levine Campbell. He began a career working offshore at the age of 18 and was blessed throughout the years to become one of the most love Supervisors. Spanky enjoyed building antique cars in his pass time and recently if you wanted to upgrade from a bike to the Cadillac of bicycles Ivory John was your man to design and put together bikes like no other.
Ivory was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, his parents Julius and Georgia Campbell, Sister Betty Washington, Step Sister Phyllis (Amen) Levine, Bro. Julius “Woodycat” Campbell III, Brother in law Dalton Borel and Best friend Jones Mitchell.
He leaves to cherish his memories forever his loving wife Christie Borel Levine, 4 daughters Darnisha Borel ( companion Brice Vallier), Tanisha Borel, Alesha Levine, Ivnesha Levine (Companion Matthew Alexis) 5 grandchildren Daqwaylen Batiste, Dashaylen Batiste, Dwaynna Borel, Bri’lynn Vallier and Matthew Alexis jr., Sisters; Esther Wilson, Abbeville; Evangelist Marvette Johnson (Brandon) Kaplan; Clothile Campbell, Abbeville; Valerie Denise Briggs (Oris), Abbeville ; Patrice Kirksey (L.M.), Houston; Brothers Clarence Wilson, Abbeville; Jamol Campbell (Pam), Abbeville; Kris Fenley (Pam) , Houston; Roger Mckenzie, Houston. Mother in law Barbara Borel, Brother in laws Ronald Borel ( Reshonda), Atlanta;  Gordon Borel, Baton Rouge Sister in law Vickie Auguillard & John Auguillard, Arnaudville. Sister in laws Debrah Broussard, Cecillia and Dianna Borel, Lafayette, Lifelong Friend and Brother of over 20 years Kevin Ryder. Close friend Fenwick “Pogie” Ashley, and neighbor and close friend Joseph Monette. Brother from another mother Leo Collins. In the words of Spanky “Don’t forget Uncle Elroy”, cousin, brother, friend , and almost like his 2nd wife Allen ELROY Landry.  Aunts; Stelly Verett, Marlen Nunez, Joyce Walker; Uncles Alvin Levine, Micheal Levine, Malvin Levine, Lester Levine , His Godchildren and a host of nieces nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2020 from 9:00AM until time of service at 11:00AM at Faith Hope Christian Fellowship.
One Love Ivory John until we meet again!
Kinchen Funeral Home Inc., 1011 North Saint Antoine Street, Lafayette LA 70501 is in charge of arrangements.