Memorial Day: A Day of Remembrance

Freedom. Something many Americans take for granted. There are some who live their privileged lives and constantly bash on the very country they live in. Every day many men and women who serve in our Armed Forces pay the ultimate sacrifice in hopes that the American dream stays alive. We Thank You.

Patriotism. The idea of showing pride for one's country. I love the United States. I appreciate the US Armed Forces so much that this blog post doesn't do it justice. Many others share the same patriotism that I have, and some have died fighting for this country that they have such a great  faith and loyalty to. We Thank You.

Sacrifice. Giving up something for something else (usually something better). 1,276,244 people are currently in the United States Armed Forces, sacrificing time with their families, sacrificing time for entertainment that others safe at home are enjoying. These men and women risk their lives each day they step out onto the battlefield in hopes that at the end of the day the red and white stripes are with the blue field of stars waving over these United States of America. The military personnel sacrifice their livelihoods and may just pay the ultimate sacrifice. It is for that reason that we pay tribute to those who died fighting for our freedom, and believed in the Liberty that binds all Americans together and wishing that it will be eternal.

The men and women of the armed forces who have died in combat while overseas defending our country deserve this day of remembrance  but why just today? Why not everyday? Most of the things you do daily are because of the freedoms given to us by the ones who created this nation, and to the people that have lost their lives so that ours are safe, we owe the greatest debt. From all of us in the United States of America, we thank all those who serve our country, and thank those who have perished in battle. God Bless You and God Bless America!

-Amit

Heritage High School End of Year Awards

Today was the day of celebration as many members of the student body at Heritage High School were recognized for their hard work and their determination to achieve success. The awards spanned all fields: from core subjects, to electives, to fine arts to "All A" Honor Roll. They ended the evening with the Coyote C.L.A.S.S. Awards. These awards were given to people who show Character, Leadership, Accountability, Scholarship, and Service to Others. Of the 1500+ freshmen, sophomores, and juniors that walk the halls of Heritage High School 15 were chosen for each category (5 per grade for each category). One of those 5 freshmen, was me, Amit Banerjee, who took home the award for Coyote CLASS: Service to Others.

Not Me, Myself, and I, but Mom, Mama, and Indrani

Mom.
Spelled M-O-M
I think about how it was you out of all of them
that was chosen to be my mother.
She gave birth to both me and my brother.

She held me in her arms
when I first entered this world.
My brain thought of 2 things:
I CAN'T BREATHE and Who is this girl?

As the years went by
It's been a wonder with you
It's so great to say that you are my
Inspiration, Motivation, and my final Rendevous

Mama.
Spelled M-A-M-A
Without you I wouldn't have much to say.
You give me a comfort
Every single day
When I'm stuck in the dirt
and my life's a dull grey

You spread the love
You give everyone hope
Making sure life never too rough
Helping me reach that bottom rope

As the years went by
It's been a wonder with you
It's so great to say that you are my
Inspiration, Motivation, and my final Rendezvous

Mother
Spelled M-O-T-H-E-R
It's because of you, I have come so far
I love you regardless of the condition
Even when I have no more ignition
I will remember all the little things
That have helped me grow and fly with my wings.

I am older now
But before you, I will always bow
With a smile, I will bring you happiness
And make sure that your sons will keep you far from loneliness
You have done so much without asking for much
From pushing us to be our best
To packing our lunch
We appreciate you more than all the rest.

I love you mom. I always will.
Know you were my role model and are still
I love you mom. I always have.
From the days with tears, and those with laughs
I love you mom. I most definitely do.
It is with these words, I hope you see it's true.

As the years went by
It's been a wonder with you
It's so great to say that you are my
Inspiration, Motivation, and my final Rendezvous

Mother's Day

Mother's Day, the one day in a year when we make our mothers feel even more special than we do the other 364. Some make their mother breakfast, others shower her with gifts. For the past few years my brother and I, to show appreciation for the one we love the most, had done just that. We had given her trinkets that we bought from a store or made at school, made lunch or dinner, or took her around the neighborhood for a walk at dusk, watching the daylight slipping and appreciating nature at its best. This year was the 15th Mother's Day for me and 10th for my brother, so we wanted to do something different...

We know how service-oriented our mom is, and we wanted to express our grattitude with a mother's day gift that would put a smile on her face. My brother and I cleaned out his room of all games and toys that were in a very good condition, and boxed them up to donate them to charity. We can only imagine how the kids who receive these toys will feel! We love Giving. But most of all, we love YOU Mom. And please know that we always will.

 

-Amit

Global Pay It Forward Day

This year my school, Heritage High School participated in the celebration of the global initiative: Pay It Forward.

So what is Pay It Forward? Pay it Forward is a movement that which inspires random acts of kindness worldwide. The mission of Pay it Forward is to inspire people to pay it forward with acts of kindness and create the world’s largest ripple effect of good deeds. My magazine Philanthropy Kids strives to inspire and promote philanthropy in kids. So I thought it would be great to run this program in my school and teach kids about Philanthropy. Just think what an impact kids can make if they start to think selflessly and start to Pay It Forwardthrough good deeds that make a difference in the lives of people around them.

Back at the TEDxSMU conference in December 2012, I was introduced to this idea when the head of the Pay It Forward Foundation and Movement, Charley Johnson, spoke about how this concept had changed his life and the lives of people around him. This had got me thinking and I researched it some more. What the Pay It Forward Foundation does is provide members of society with bracelets that have the words "PAY IT FORWARD" etched in it serving as a constant reminder to pass on that good deed, that good turn, that good act, to someone else. I came to learn that Global Pay it Forward Day is April 25, 2013. April 25th is a very special day for me, it is my birthday. I thought to myself "I can give myself a big birthday gift by bringing Pay It Forward Day to my high school".

I spoke with the principal, Mr. Mark Mimms, about the idea and he loved it. He saw that it could really impact the student body and make them think more about "Service to Others". I was then directed to one of the Assistant Principals, Ms. Jennifer Redden, and we discussed the logistics. We planned on showing videos and presentations to the students explaining to them what Pay It Forward is and scheduled a "discussion period" for the students to talk about when their experience and ideas on this concept.

Finally it was April 25th, Global Pay It Forward Day. The day started with regular classes but instead of the usual schedule, the students got pulled into their "Coyote Den". There they watched a video on Pay It Forward and also my TED Talk on Philanthropy. Once people warmed up to this idea, the students talked about the times when they did acts of kindness to help others. We made plans to come back two weeks from now and do something to pay it forward and make a difference in the world.

The idea is really simple. Just be on the lookout and try to help people in whatever way possible. Make it a point to live everyday by performing small acts of kindness that can help anyone feel a little better. Go Ahead...be philanthropic...and Pay It Forward

-Amit

I Am One

I've been living this life like i've been told
Trying to figure it out before i grow old
Nobody takes the advice that I feel is right
And before long the've drifted off to the night
People don't listen; all they do is ignore
Unless your words start with the words "Four Score"

I was told to dress like this
Something I don't mind, It doesn't make my list
But when I was told not to speak my mind
That's When I lost all hope for mankind

I was told to be like the rest
I could tell they were afraid of my best
So I sat alone thinking of what"
I don't know, but
I felt like I wanted to change
But not me for I wasn't at all strange
I wanted to make an impact
Something that would last and stay intact
So I set out to do what I do best
Speak my mind and let Fate do the rest

I did something that can be good
But I may have let bad come out from under its hood
I made people do
I made people think
They started to ask
"Why is the sky blue"
And "Why do I blink"
I changed the world but that was only the first task.

My goal was to rid the world of standards
So we aren't labeled with a tag on a lanyard
I wanted difference amongst the masses
So hopefully they would discover new types of gasses

The idea was to inpire hope
To look beyond physical features
and learn to cope
But it starts with teachers
Not from the school
But anywhere with a fool
Who thinks it straight to hate others
Instead of treating everyone like a brother.

A World of people with flaws
Brings out people's sharpest claws
Saying they're better
But can do no more than write a hurtful letter


But while my message may only be heard by a few
Know that the future depends solely on You

With the ability to make a choice
You must share your voice
To escape the binds of "the norm"
And learn to take your own form

All I have is one request:
Find what your are and be the best
For You know "who" you are
But with just that you may not go very far
It is up to you to start your own legacy
That starts with a simple letter: C

See what you are
See what you will become
See how you change the Earth
See how you will be among the stars
See that you will be one for which others drum
See that you have worth
See you are the one
See you have already won.

-Amit

Welcome To My Stamp On My World, My Blog

BLOG: Short for weB LOG. A tool used to share ideas and comments on events that happen all around the world. Whether in my head, in my heart, in Dallas, in Texas, in the USA, or on Earth, things happen and I nor anyone else can change that. It is my responsibility to convey messages that I feel that can better sociey. And my medium for doing so is through this blog that you have opened and will enjoy reading.

Things you will find in this blog:

• Basic updates on my life (school, home, work)
• My thoughts and opinions on various current events all around the world that I am aware of
• Updates on my magazine Philanthropy Kids
• Website: philanthropykids.org
• Facebook: facebook.com/PhilanthropyKids
• Twitter: twitter.com/Philanthropy_K
• Various forms of literature
• Critiques on various restaurants and the food they serve

-Amit Banerjee