Bits & Pieces
Youth Governorof SouthCarolina
Nicolas Pickens
Love isn’t a one-and-done moment on a card or a single grand gesture. It’s living currency that compounds over time an ongoing, evolving present that enriches every corner of our lives. When we view love as a gift that keeps on giving, we open ourselves to deeper connection, kinder choices, and a more resilient sense of well-being.
What Love Really Is: Love as attention: The most generous gift you can give someone is your presence tuning in, listening, and showing up. Love as generosity: Small acts a note, a phone call, a helping hand build a reservoir that nourishes both giver and receiver. Love as consistency: Reliability and modest daily expressions create trust, the soil in which love flourishes.
Love is not a finite resource but a renewable energy that deepens the more you invest. Each act of care, each moment of presence, each choice to extend grace to another person adds to a growing reserve of goodwill, resilience, and shared joy. When we treat love as the gift that keeps on giving, we empower ourselves and others to live with more warmth, courage, and connection.
Love is the gift that covers all; it is the best gift that anyone can give. So, let’s choose love now and forever as the gift to give.
YOUTH GOVERNOROFSC
NICOLASPICKENS
IamNicolasPickensofGreenville,SC.GrowingupinSouthCarolina,I’veseenmuch struggleandalotofgoodthings,too.SeeingthestrugglesinspiredmetofindawayIbea solutiontothoseproblems.BecauseIknowIcouldmakeadifference. Buthow?So,I searchedforananswertothequestionofhowIcanmakeadifference.
Inthatsearch,itstartedwithmeandmylife. Thisyear,IgavemylifetoChrist.Itwas honestlythebestdecisionI’veevermade.It’slikehe’sgivingmesomuchlifeinsuchashort amountoftime.Ialwaysknewwhohewasandwhathedid,butInevertrulypursuedhim thewayIhadrecently,andwhenItellyou,it’sbeenthebestdecisionever.WhenIrealized thatJesustrulychangedmylife.Iwaslike,maybehecanchangeothers.IntheBible,hesaid, Gooutandmakedisciples.Iwasthinkingwhyjustmycommunitywhenyoucangooutto reachtheentirestate!
“Iwanttobe rememberedasalight!”
Somebodywhopoured intoothers,and genuinelywantstosee themdowellandcome outoftheirdarkness!I wanttoberemembered asadifference-maker, notjustinmychurch, butinmyschool,my community,everywhere.
So,Iranforyouthgovernorandwas electedYouthGovernoronNovember8 throughouttheentireelectionprocess.My biggeststrugglewasreachingeveryoneat theyouthgovernmentevent.Therewere over2,000kidsthere,anditwasreally hardtointeractwitheverysingleperson tomakesureeverybodyfeltseenand heard.
Asyouthgovernor,weworkwiththe actualelectedofficialsofourstatetotry toimplementthingsthatrepresentour campaignorthatwethinkwould empowerouryouth.Iamtheadvocatefor theyouthofSouthCarolina,andoneofmy majorgoalswasmentalhealth,aimingto makemoreresourcesavailableinschools. Thereisastatisticthat87%ofSouth Carolinayouthstrugglewithmental health,andsoobviously,wedon’tliketo seethat.Andassomeonewhostruggled withitbefore,Iunderstandtheseverityof it,andsomyfirstmovewearegoingto implementmorementalhealthguidance counselorsintoschoolsandprovidefree sessionsandthingsofthatnature.
ItwasfunnybecauseIwasanervous wreckthroughoutthewholecampaign andelectionprocess.Iwasgoingagainst sixotherpeopleacrossourstate,andthey hadmorepeoplewithintheirdelegation, sothatwasonethingthatreallyhadme nervous.
Itbutitwasfunnybecausetherewasan eventcalledTownhallwhereIhaveto giveoutareallybigspeech,basically declaringtothestateoftheuniononwhy I’mrunningtobetheirgovernorandwhy theyshouldvoteformeandsowalking uptotheStatebuildingIwasplaying gospelmusicandIwasplayingwhata GodbySEUWorshipandIwasatthepart whereitsayswhataGodowhataGod andsoIpausedit,andIwastruly pondering.IwaslikeGod,likeIwasat mylowestofLowsafewmonthsago.And youbroughtmeoutofthat,andso instantlyinthatmoment,Ilostallmy fearandallmyanxiety.IwasjustlikeYou knowwhat,Igotthis,youknowwhy, becauseIgotsomethingthattheydon’t havesothatreallyhelpedmethroughout thewholeprocess
Becomingayouthgovernoristrulyabig honor,beingoneof36acrosstheUS.I trulywanttomakeabigdifferencewith thisaccomplishment,beingayouth.To betheadvocateforthepeoplewhocan’t advocateforthemselves.Ithinkthat’s mostrewarding,knowingthatIcanmake somebody’sdayjustbybeingme.
“Be
Different, Justbeyou”
It’sokaytobedifferent!Iwaskindofthe underdoggoingintotheelectionbecause everyonethatIwasgoingagainstwas thesebigpoliticalguruswhogotothese governorschools,andtheyhaveallthese accoladesofeverythingthey’vedone,the ConferenceofNationalAffairs,andjusta lotofstuff.
Thoughitfeltliketheyhadajumpstart.I amgratefultoeveryonewhosupported meduringthecampaign.
Outsideofallofthis,Ienjoyplaying lacrosseatmyhighschool,spendingtime withfamily,andservingatmychurch.The adviceIwouldgivemyyoungerselfisto listen.IfeellikeI’vebeenpouredintoalot foralotofdifferentthingsformyfaith,for work,forschool,andIhaven’tlistened, buthererecently,likeI’vemovedtrue thanlisteningtomypeersandmyparents andthepeoplearoundmethattrulywant toseemedogood,andI’vebeendoing great.Mydadalwayssaysyouhavetwo earsandonemouth,somyadviceIwould givetomyyoungerselfislistenanddo whatmakesyouhappy.
IfeellikeIhavealotofpeoplewhoaretruly importanttome,andItakealotofadvice fromthem.NowIlistenandrunwithit,My mothergivesmemoreofapeople-oriented aspect,andI’mmoreofanemotionalaspect, howpeoplewouldreact,howtheyfeel,and thenmyfathergivesmethebusinessaspect inhowthiscouldincreasemybrand.Putting thesetwomindstogethergivesmeagood foundation.
Year-End-Review
As the year winds down, many of us turn inward, sifting through moments large and small to understand where we’ve been and how we’ve changed. A personal year-end review isn’t about grand milestones alone; it’s about the quiet shifts the ideas that took root, the habits that stuck, and the people who helped us become who we are today. Taking a year-end review, not just in busy but in our personal lives, helps bring clarity. It helps define where we are, creating a clear path to where we are going.
So, take a moment to survey life by answering the questions on the next page, and get a jumpstart on your new beginning before entering the next year.
Why Do a Personal Year-End Review?
- Closure and clarity: Mark the end of one season and the beginning of another with intention.
- Weaving through the day-to-day: Recognize patterns in your days, not just in moments of triumph.
- Momentum for the future: Translate insights into achievable goals for the coming year.
- Gratitude as practice: Acknowledging small wins helps sustain motivation.
A Prompt-Supported Journal for Your End-ofYear Review
- What was the most surprising thing I learned about myself this year?
- Which habit had the biggest positive impact on my days?
- What’s one relationship I’m grateful for, and how did it influence me?
- If I could relive one moment from this year, which would it be and why?
- What is one small change I’m committed to in the new year?
- What’s one thing I’m letting go of to make space for growth?
- How did I respond to stress, and what would a healthier response look like next time?
- What 3 words describe this year for me?
A Simple Framework to Walk Through Your Year
- Highlights and Highs: Identify 3–5 moments that felt meaningful (big or small).
- Challenges and Learnings: Note difficulties you faced and what they taught you.
- Habits and Health: Review routines that held you steady or needed retooling.
- Relationships: Consider connections that supported you and ones you want to nurture.
- Work, Passion, and Purpose: Reassess what gave you energy and what drained you.
- Values in Action: Reflect on moments when you acted in alignment with your core beliefs.
- Gratitude List: Capture daily or weekly anchors of thankfulness.
Transform Your Mindset with the Decrease To Increase Journal!
Are you feeling overwhelmed? It’s time to clear the clutter from your mind and make space for positivity and growth!
❖ What You'll Discover:
Guided prompts to help you declutter your thoughts. Techniques for reducing stress and increasing clarity. Abeautiful space to reflect, plan, and inspire yourself every day.
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Gen23:1 AndSarahwasan hundredandsevenandtwenty yearsold:theseweretheyears ofthelifeofSarah.
Gen23:2 AndSarahdiedin Kirjatharba;thesameis HebroninthelandofCanaan: andAbrahamcametomourn forSarah,andtoweepforher.
Gen23:3 AndAbrahamstood upfrombeforehisdead,and spakeuntothesonsofHeth, saying,
Gen23:4 Iamastrangeranda sojournerwithyou:givemea possessionofaburyingplace withyou,thatImayburymy deadoutofmysight.
Gen23:5 Andthechildrenof HethansweredAbraham, sayinguntohim,
Gen23:6 Hearus,mylord: thouartamightyprince amongus:inthechoiceofour sepulchresburythydead; noneofusshallwithholdfrom theehissepulchre,butthat thoumayestburythydead.
Gen23:7 AndAbrahamstood up,andbowedhimselftothe peopleoftheland,eventothe childrenofHeth.
Gen23:8 Andhecommuned withthem,saying,Ifitbeyour mindthatIshouldburymy deadoutofmysight;hearme, andintreatformetoEphron thesonofZohar,
Genesis 23
Gen23:9 Thathemaygiveme thecaveofMachpelah,which hehath,whichisintheendof hisfield;forasmuchmoneyas itisworthheshallgiveitme forapossessionofa buryingplaceamongstyou.
Gen23:10 AndEphrondwelt amongthechildrenofHeth: andEphrontheHittite answeredAbrahaminthe audienceofthechildrenof Heth,evenofallthatwentin atthegateofhiscity,saying, Gen23:11 Nay,mylord,hear me:thefieldgiveIthee,and thecavethatistherein,Igive itthee;inthepresenceofthe sonsofmypeoplegiveIit thee:burythydead.
Gen23:12 AndAbraham boweddownhimselfbefore thepeopleoftheland.
Gen23:13 Andhespakeunto Ephronintheaudienceofthe peopleoftheland,saying,But ifthouwiltgiveit,Ipraythee, hearme:Iwillgivethee moneyforthefield;takeitof me,andIwillburymydead there.
Gen23:14 AndEphron answeredAbraham,saying untohim,
Gen23:15 Mylord,hearken untome:thelandisworth fourhundredshekelsofsilver; whatisthatbetwixtmeand thee?burythereforethydead.
Gen23:16 AndAbraham hearkeneduntoEphron;and AbrahamweighedtoEphron thesilver,whichhehadnamed intheaudienceofthesonsof Heth,fourhundredshekelsof silver,currentmoneywiththe merchant.
Gen23:17 Andthefieldof Ephron,whichwasin Machpelah,whichwasbefore Mamre,thefield,andthecave whichwastherein,andallthe treesthatwereinthefield, thatwereinalltheborders roundabout,weremadesure Gen23:18 UntoAbrahamfora possessioninthepresenceof thechildrenofHeth,beforeall thatwentinatthegateofhis city.
Gen23:19 Andafterthis, AbrahamburiedSarahhiswife inthecaveofthefieldof MachpelahbeforeMamre:the sameisHebroninthelandof Canaan.
Gen23:20 Andthefield,and thecavethatistherein,were madesureuntoAbrahamfora possessionofaburyingplace bythesonsofHeth.
Gen24:1 AndAbrahamwas old,andwellstrickeninage: andtheLORDhadblessed Abrahaminallthings.
Gen24:2 AndAbrahamsaid untohiseldestservantofhis house,thatruledoverallthat hehad,Put,Ipraythee,thy handundermythigh:
Gen24:3 AndIwillmakethee swearbytheLORD,theGodof heaven,andtheGodofthe earth,thatthoushaltnottake awifeuntomysonofthe daughtersoftheCanaanites, amongwhomIdwell:
Gen24:4 Butthoushaltgo untomycountry,andtomy kindred,andtakeawifeunto mysonIsaac.
Gen24:5 Andtheservantsaid untohim,Peradventurethe womanwillnotbewillingto followmeuntothisland:must Ineedsbringthysonagain untothelandfromwhence thoucamest?
Gen24:6 AndAbrahamsaid untohim,Bewarethouthat thoubringnotmysonthither again.
Gen24:7 TheLORDGodof heaven,whichtookmefrom myfather'shouse,andfrom thelandofmykindred,and whichspakeuntome,andthat swareuntome,saying,Unto thyseedwillIgivethisland; heshallsendhisangelbefore thee,andthoushalttakea wifeuntomysonfromthence.
Gen24:8 Andifthewoman willnotbewillingtofollow thee,thenthoushaltbeclear fromthismyoath:onlybring notmysonthitheragain.
Genesis 24
Gen24:9 Andtheservantput hishandunderthethighof Abrahamhismaster,and swaretohimconcerningthat matter.
Gen24:10 Andtheservant tooktencamelsofthecamels ofhismaster,anddeparted; forallthegoodsofhismaster wereinhishand:andhearose, andwenttoMesopotamia, untothecityofNahor.
Gen24:11 Andhemadehis camelstokneeldownwithout thecitybyawellofwaterat thetimeoftheevening,even thetimethatwomengooutto drawwater.
Gen24:12 Andhesaid,O LORDGodofmymaster Abraham,Ipraythee,sendme goodspeedthisday,andshew kindnessuntomymaster Abraham.
Gen24:13 Behold,Istand herebythewellofwater;and thedaughtersofthemenof thecitycomeouttodraw water:
Gen24:14 Andletitcometo pass,thatthedamseltowhom Ishallsay,Letdownthy pitcher,Ipraythee,thatImay drink;andsheshallsay,Drink, andIwillgivethycamels drinkalso:letthesamebeshe thatthouhastappointedfor thyservantIsaac;andthereby shallIknowthatthouhast shewedkindnessuntomy master.
Gen24:15 Anditcameto pass,beforehehaddone speaking,that,behold, Rebekahcameout,whowas borntoBethuel,sonofMilcah, thewifeofNahor,Abraham's brother,withherpitcherupon hershoulder.
Gen24:16 Andthedamsel wasveryfairtolookupon,a virgin,neitherhadanyman knownher:andshewent downtothewell,andfilledher pitcher,andcameup.
Gen24:17 Andtheservant rantomeether,andsaid,Let me,Ipraythee,drinkalittle waterofthypitcher.
Gen24:18 Andshesaid, Drink,mylord:andshehasted, andletdownherpitcherupon herhand,andgavehimdrink.
Gen24:19 Andwhenshehad donegivinghimdrink,she said,Iwilldrawwaterforthy camelsalso,untiltheyhave donedrinking.
Gen24:20 Andshehasted, andemptiedherpitcherinto thetrough,andranagainunto thewelltodrawwater,and drewforallhiscamels.
Gen24:21 Andtheman wonderingatherheldhis peace,towitwhetherthe LORDhadmadehisjourney prosperousornot.
Gen24:22 Anditcameto pass,asthecamelshaddone drinking,thatthemantooka goldenearringofhalfashekel weight,andtwobraceletsfor herhandsoftenshekels weightofgold;
Gen24:23 Andsaid,Whose daughterartthou?tellme,I praythee:isthereroominthy father'shouseforustolodge in?
Gen24:24 Andshesaidunto him,Iamthedaughterof BethuelthesonofMilcah, whichshebareuntoNahor.
Gen24:25 Shesaidmoreover untohim,Wehavebothstraw andprovenderenough,and roomtolodgein.
Gen24:26 Andtheman boweddownhishead,and worshippedtheLORD.
Gen24:27 Andhesaid, BlessedbetheLORDGodof mymasterAbraham,whohath notleftdestitutemymasterof hismercyandhistruth:I beingintheway,theLORDled metothehouseofmy master'sbrethren.
Gen24:28 Andthedamsel ran,andtoldthemofher mother'shousethesethings.
Gen24:29 AndRebekahhada brother,andhisnamewas Laban:andLabanranoutunto theman,untothewell.
Gen24:30 Anditcameto pass,whenhesawtheearring andbraceletsuponhissister's hands,andwhenheheardthe wordsofRebekahhissister, saying,Thusspaketheman untome;thathecameunto theman;and,behold,hestood bythecamelsatthewell.
Genesis 24
Gen24:31 Andhesaid,Come in,thoublessedoftheLORD; whereforestandestthou without?forIhaveprepared thehouse,androomforthe camels.
Gen24:32 Andthemancame intothehouse:andhe ungirdedhiscamels,andgave strawandprovenderforthe camels,andwatertowashhis feet,andthemen'sfeetthat werewithhim.
Gen24:33 Andtherewasset meatbeforehimtoeat:buthe said,Iwillnoteat,untilIhave toldmineerrand.Andhesaid, Speakon.
Gen24:34 Andhesaid,Iam Abraham'sservant.
Gen24:35 AndtheLORDhath blessedmymastergreatly; andheisbecomegreat:andhe hathgivenhimflocks,and herds,andsilver,andgold,and menservants,and maidservants,andcamels,and asses.
Gen24:36 AndSarahmy master'swifebareasontomy masterwhenshewasold:and untohimhathhegivenallthat hehath.
Gen24:37 Andmymaster mademeswear,saying,Thou shaltnottakeawifetomyson ofthedaughtersofthe Canaanites,inwhoselandI dwell:
Gen24:38 Butthoushaltgo untomyfather'shouse,andto mykindred,andtakeawife untomyson.
Gen24:39 AndIsaiduntomy master,Peradventurethe womanwillnotfollowme.
Gen24:40 Andhesaidunto me,TheLORD,beforewhomI walk,willsendhisangelwith thee,andprosperthyway;and thoushalttakeawifeformy sonofmykindred,andofmy father'shouse:
Gen24:41 Thenshaltthoube clearfromthismyoath,when thoucomesttomykindred; andiftheygivenottheeone, thoushaltbeclearfrommy oath.
Gen24:42 AndIcamethisday untothewell,andsaid,O LORDGodofmymaster Abraham,ifnowthoudo prospermywaywhichIgo:
Gen24:43 Behold,Istandby thewellofwater;anditshall cometopass,thatwhenthe virgincomethforthtodraw water,andIsaytoher,Give me,Ipraythee,alittlewaterof thypitchertodrink;
Gen24:44 Andshesaytome, Bothdrinkthou,andIwillalso drawforthycamels:letthe samebethewomanwhomthe LORDhathappointedoutfor mymaster'sson.
Gen24:45 AndbeforeIhad donespeakinginmineheart, behold,Rebekahcameforth withherpitcheronher shoulder;andshewentdown untothewell,anddrewwater: andIsaiduntoher,Letme drink,Ipraythee.
Gen24:46 Andshemade haste,andletdownher pitcherfromhershoulder,and said,Drink,andIwillgivethy camelsdrinkalso:soIdrank, andshemadethecamelsdrink also.
Gen24:47 AndIaskedher, andsaid,Whosedaughterart thou?Andshesaid,The daughterofBethuel,Nahor's son,whomMilcahbareunto him:andIputtheearring uponherface,andthe braceletsuponherhands.
Gen24:48 AndIboweddown myhead,andworshippedthe LORD,andblessedtheLORD GodofmymasterAbraham, whichhadledmeintheright waytotakemymaster's brother'sdaughteruntohis son.
Gen24:49 Andnowifyewill dealkindlyandtrulywithmy master,tellme:andifnot,tell me;thatImayturntotheright hand,ortotheleft.
Gen24:50 ThenLabanand Bethuelansweredandsaid, Thethingproceedethfromthe LORD:wecannotspeakunto theebadorgood.
Gen24:51 Behold,Rebekahis beforethee,takeher,andgo, andletherbethymaster's son'swife,astheLORDhath spoken.
Gen24:52 Anditcameto pass,that,whenAbraham's servantheardtheirwords,he worshippedtheLORD,bowing himselftotheearth.
Genesis 24
Gen24:53 Andtheservant broughtforthjewelsofsilver, andjewelsofgold,and raiment,andgavethemto Rebekah:hegavealsotoher brotherandtohermother preciousthings.
Gen24:54 Andtheydideat anddrink,heandthementhat werewithhim,andtarriedall night;andtheyroseupinthe morning,andhesaid,Sendme awayuntomymaster.
Gen24:55 Andherbrother andhermothersaid,Letthe damselabidewithusafew days,attheleastten;afterthat sheshallgo.
Gen24:56 Andhesaidunto them,Hindermenot,seeing theLORDhathprosperedmy way;sendmeawaythatImay gotomymaster.
Gen24:57 Andtheysaid,We willcallthedamsel,and enquireathermouth.
Gen24:58 Andtheycalled Rebekah,andsaiduntoher, Wiltthougowiththisman?
Andshesaid,Iwillgo.
Gen24:59 Andtheysentaway Rebekahtheirsister,andher nurse,andAbraham'sservant, andhismen.
Gen24:60 Andtheyblessed Rebekah,andsaiduntoher, Thouartoursister,bethou themotherofthousandsof millions,andletthyseed possessthegateofthose whichhatethem.
Gen24:61 AndRebekah arose,andherdamsels,and theyrodeuponthecamels, andfollowedtheman:andthe servanttookRebekah,and wenthisway.
Gen24:62 AndIsaaccame fromthewayofthewell Lahairoi;forhedweltinthe southcountry.
Gen24:63 AndIsaacwentout tomeditateinthefieldatthe eventide:andhelifteduphis eyes,andsaw,and,behold,the camelswerecoming.
Gen24:64 AndRebekahlifted uphereyes,andwhenshesaw Isaac,shelightedoffthe camel.
Gen24:65 Forshehadsaid untotheservant,Whatmanis thisthatwalkethinthefieldto meetus?Andtheservanthad said,Itismymaster:therefore shetookavail,andcovered herself.
Gen24:66 Andtheservant toldIsaacallthingsthathe haddone.
Gen24:67 AndIsaacbrought herintohismotherSarah's tent,andtookRebekah,and shebecamehiswife;andhe lovedher:andIsaacwas comfortedafterhismother's death.
