My wish is that you somehow understand that we all have a little boy inside that has to come out. It took me several years to get used to the idea that I would be greeted by others with the words, «Good morning, sir.» What should have been accepted as an acknowledgment of respect seemed odd to me because I wanted to maintain that ability to be a little boy all of my life. A lot of us fall short and fight against the respect of growing up. Hi, my name is Mr. Eddie W. Engram Jr., and I am not a little boy anymore. Some people get stuck in the habit of doing things as a young boy or girl would. Everyone wants long nappy hair (dreads) to make-believe they are hip and part of a young society. We buy clothing with holes in them, color our hair with purple and pink colors, or wear our pants down below our hips to show our undergarments. We're trying to forget that life goes on, and we have to play our role, whatever that may be. The challenge should be to break away from that immature nature and become a responsible member of this society. Then we can make a difference. That little boy will grow up to be a man.
Life is a challenge, and the challenge starts with your believing you can accomplish all your goals with a plan that gives you the ability to work at achieving your goals. What do you want to become as an adult in your life? It always starts with a plan, and then you achieve your goals by working to make that plan a reality. Just what do you want to become in your life? Answering this question early in your life allows you to compete in a world filled with hopes and dreams. Everyone has to answer that question, and it helps to do it early because you give yourself more time to plan and prepare for a life filled with questions. I've asked you that question over and over because I want you to understand that life goes by quickly, and those of you that refuse to challenge yourselves early will one day wonder why did I not plan my life better. It's up to you, and it starts by saying I want to become and then work to achieve your goals.
The Man of Wonder is a person who we all can become in life. Whether you are a boy or a girl, you have the same goals to achieve something in this life. Family, love, hope, dreams, and accomplishment are important to everyone. We begin our lives as young people with a desire to become something. Living life can be a challenge because we start out knowing nothing, and we gain our basic beliefs from the family and friends. It is important to have a strong bond with our loved ones because this is the foundation that will carry us through a life of learning to become that man of wonder.