A Future Yankee?

   

I was six years old and I was doing what I loved best.  I was watching the Yankees take on the Twins in the Humbert H. Humphrey Metrodome.  We were fortunate to be able to make this trip often.  Somewhere in the middle of the game my dad reached over to me and asked me to step a few rows down and ask a certain gentleman for his autograph.  Being the lovely and abiding son that I was, I obliged to his request.

I didn’t know the guy, but he quickly pulled me up on to his lap and began a conversation with me.  I can’t recall our conversation, but he eventually wrote the following on my program;

To Travis

A future Yankee

From his pal

George Steinbrenner.  

Pretty cool huh?  Well actually he never did call me.  I never put on the Yankee uniform and I never stepped out onto the famous grounds of Yankee Stadium.  It would have been a dream come true for me to one day play for the Yankees or to step foot on the field wearing the Yankee jersey.  In reality, I had many dreams as a kid as I'm sure you did as well.    

When I was in grade school, I dreamed of playing professional basketball.  I played basketball in my driveway pretending I was the next Michael Jordan.  I attended camp after camp.  The first and last thing I did every day was shoot baskets.  In all honesty, I slept with a basketball.  The dream was real in my mind and it gave me a great deal of purpose in my childhood.

I really got to thinking about all of this, over the past weekend.  I took my two boys to the Yankees and Twins games in Minneapolis.  I just remember how special these trips were to me and I wanted that same thing for my boys.  On Friday afternoon before the game we were able to take a tour of Target Field.  It was an awesome experience.  At one point in time, I snapped the photo below.

Tayten (7) on left.  Jeter (5) on right.

This picture reminds me so much of my childhood.  I knew the feeling that was going through them as they looked out over the field.  I felt that same thing years ago.  We eventually were able to get close to the Yankee dugout and obtain a few autographs.  The kids were on cloud 9.  Tayten later told me, that when he’s out on the field he will throw me a ball and sign an autograph for me.  I knew at that moment that a dream was brewing in his heart.

The moral of all of this is that dreams are vitally important to our children.  No matter how big the dream is, we need to encourage our kids. I know that my children drive me crazy from time to time, but that is what they are supposed to do.  I know this because this is what my mother told me.   No matter the circumstance we need to fuel the dreams of our children.  We need to let them experience setbacks.  We need to guide them and encourage them, but not necessarily point the way.  I’m a big fan of the GPS and compass analogy.  Rather than giving our kids a GPS which shows them the way, give them a compass and let them find their own way.

But don’t be a dream killer.  Don’t knock their dreams down, and (along that same token), don’t give up on your dreams.  Who said you had to be a kid to dream?  We all have dreams.  Dreams drive us.  Faith guides us.  Fear nothing and give everything.  You can.  It’s that simple.  Anything is possible.

I will never be that parent that lives through his children, but I will be that parent that gives his kids every opportunity possible to experience life.  It is through these opportunities that my children will be able to dream big and dream often.  They may never get a call from the Yankees, and that is completely fine.  But they will get a call someday.  A dream will become a reality.  No matter the shape or size of the dreams, some will become reality, while others not so much.  Be there to celebrate those that become realities, and be there to provide support and guidance for those that don’t. 

Whatever you do, be a dream driver and not a dream killer.  Don’t believe all the hype about grounding your children in reality.  The reality is, they will learn and feel as they go.  Just be a support.  Love them unconditionally. Support your children in their dreams.  If possible expose them to as many opportunities as possible.

If they want to sleep with a basketball in their hands – let them J

An Encouraging Word

“Never underestimate the power of an encouraging word”

John C. Maxwell

Have you ever felt like you don’t fit in?  Or maybe you continue to work tirelessly but don’t ever feel appreciated? 

I would definitely have to question you if you answered no to the above questions.  We all have a need to feel appreciated, and we definitely have a need to feel some self-worth. 

When we feel appreciated we are better at what we do.  We are also happier.  When we are happier we are healthier.  Now what if everyone in the world felt appreciated?  The world would be happier and healthier.  How would this impact society?

John Maxwell is right on with his quote above.  An encouraging word goes a long way.  Let me tell you this.  You are appreciated.  The work you do is appreciated.  Sometimes we get caught up in our daily lives that we take for granted the things we do and the things we DON’T say.  Step back for a minute and think about all the things that happen to you throughout a day.  Think about all the things that have to happen for your day to be complete.  From the people that manufacture our beds, alarm clocks, clothes, etc. to the people that we work with and those that watch our children.  Everything comes together to make the day work.  People behind the scenes are working to make society work for you.

Here is a simple challenge for you.  Encourage someone today.  Show your appreciation to someone and make their day.  This should create a ripple effect.  What if for one moment everyone in the world felt appreciated at the same time?  This would be an amazing utopia.  Seriously though, just accept the challenge and go encourage someone.  What are you waiting for? 

We are all working together to make the world work for us.  Step back a moment and think about all the people working at this very moment to benefit you.  Now, when you get the opportunity, thank these people.  These people are all blessing you in some way, shape, or form, and let’s not forget to thank God for the blessings we have in our lives.

Go forth and appreciate the people that make your life possible.

Have a great day.  I appreciate you!

The Permanent Jersey

It was the 10th of March 2015, and I was driving home from school when I noticed a group of boys playing basketball in a driveway.  I know this might not sound shocking to most of you but it was odd for three different reasons.

1.     It's winter in North Dakota.

2.     It seems as though a pickup game of basketball just doesn't occur on driveways as much as they used to.

3.     The most important reason and the inspiration for this blog post...their season had just ended the night before with a loss in the first round of the regional tournament.

You see, for these guys the season started the day after it finished.  The loss they experienced the day before was not going to be their defining moment. The drive to keep going and to get better was rich within them.  What they had done and what they were currently doing was preparing them for what was to come.

This story is a great metaphor for life. How many times have we given up? How many times have you wanted to throw in the towel? How many times have we allowed ourselves to become complacent and accept the status quo?

It's important to keep going.  Never take off your jersey.  As educators this time of year is often accompanied by a sense of relief.  We get to sit back and enjoy the summer.  We can take off our jerseys and throw caution to the wind.

It’s okay to feel this way, but don't take off your jersey.  You have an obligation to reflect, recharge, and refocus.  Now is the time to make sure the next school year is better than the previous.  Now is the time to grow.

As I currently sit in my office for the last time at Griggs County Central, I'm thinking about those boys shooting hoops that day.  I, like them, believe the season is just beginning.  I get the opportunity to wear a new jersey in a different arena. As I make the transition from one school to the next, I have set a few goals for myself.

1.  To continue to show people that they matter.  We all have God given talent.  We are all great at something.  It is our duty as humans to do our best to make this world a better place.  Why not start with letting someone know that they matter?  Give someone a compliment every day.  Better yet compliment people all the time.

2.  To grow in faith.  I’ve always considered myself to be a religious person.  However, I like many, tend to keep my faith and beliefs to myself.  I’m excited to become more extroverted with it.  I know that my teammates at Shiloh Christian will be a great help with this.

    

What are your goals for the coming year?  Setting goals will help ensure that your jersey stays on. Remember that it is completely okay to reflect and recharge before you refocus.  But don’t stop being who you are.  Keep your jersey on.  Continue to make each day better than the previous. You have something to offer this world.  

Since we are on the theme of basketball, feel free to live by the following quote that was once told to me by my basketball coach; “shoot until you are on, and then shoot until you are off.”  This way you are constantly shooting uand moving forward.  This might explain however why we didn’t win too many games. J 

Blog explained in one paragraph.

I bet you are a little perturbed that you see this paragraph.  You could have scrolled down and read this one paragraph without going through the whole thing.  Of course, you can take your jersey off and wash it.  However, I and some of you were a little superstitious when we were younger, weren’t we?  We didn’t wash our socks or our practice jersey because we were afraid to break the streak.  The jersey is a metaphor for who you are and what you do.  If this confused you, I apologize.  I may need to take a moment to reflect, recharge, and refocus.

Thank You!

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard” A.A. Milne

There are not enough words that can be said to the gratitude owed to an entire school community.  In the fall of 2010 my family was faced with a very difficult decision.   Should we pick up and leave something so familiar for something exciting, scary, and full of opportunity at the same time?  In making that decision we endured many sleepless nights, and showered many tears.  But eventually, we did decide to move and start a new chapter for our lives.

We were welcomed into the communities with open arms.  The support that has been bestowed upon my family and I will forever be in our hearts.  I’ve personally never felt more supported and loved in my entire life than I have these last five years at Griggs County Central.  I've said a number of times over that the world is a beautiful place and positivity is all around us.  You don’t have to look much further than the communities of Cooperstown and Hannaford to be reminded of this.  If the saying is true that North Dakota is God’s country, then I must say that Griggs County is God’s living room.

I believe that God has a plan for all of us.  I believe he put us in Cooperstown for a reason.  I know that I have grown greatly through the relationships and experiences that have presented themselves.  I would also like to think the communities have benefit in some way, shape, or form from us as well.

Over the past years since I've begun writing blogs on a consistent basis, it’s been primarily on the premise of trying to inspire others.  I've had many sleepless nights racking my brain on what more I could be doing to impact the world in a positive way.  How can I show people that the world is a positive place?  How can I inspire people to inspire others?  How can we get people to think better and do better to ultimately make the world a better place?

So I have taken to writing, and more importantly I have tried to turn my writing into action.  This has lead me on a journey to make a concerted effort to bring out the best in people, and with that to bring out the best in myself.  I truly believe that I was called to the field of education, and have no doubts that I’m fulfilling God’s plan for me.

With that being said, about a month ago I applied for the Superintendent position at Shiloh Christian School in Bismarck.  The position appealed to me because of the long standing tradition of education excellence founded and supported by Christian principles.  The opportunity to move closer to family, and the opportunities that my own children would have were also ideals that pulled us in that direction.  I believe in my heart that this is the right decision for us.  I see the Shiloh district as an opportunity for our family to grow in our faith, and enrich the lives of others.

Goodbyes are never easy, and I have so many people to thank for the support over these past five years.  Naming every individual that has touched our lives would be a cumbersome task.  A genuine thank you to the education community is in order.  I could not ask for better colleagues.  We have surrounded ourselves in a vision and mission to improve the lives of our students and I believe whole-heatedly that we are succeeding.  Thank you to the students, parents, and community members for being part of my professional growth as an educator.  I would not be where I am today without each and every one of you.

On July 1^st I will be transitioning to the Shiloh Christian School District.  We are excited for the opportunity, and sad for what we are leaving behind.  The relationships that we created will last forever, and forever I will be indebted to the Griggs County Central communities for enriching our lives.

Thank You. 

Breaking: Good News

This past week my school took part in a wonderful event.  Our students participated in a “Not Perfect Hat Day.”  The idea behind the event is to promote the uniqueness of the individual.  It focused on the premise that perfection is unattainable.  The only thing we have to be perfect at is being ourselves. 

I know the event was a success simply from the remarks that my six year old said when we got home from school that day.  He said to his brother, “Jeter, nobody is perfect.”  He went on to say, “we just need to be the best we can be.”

As happy as I am that this had a profound impact on my child, I can’t help but be disappointed at something else.  The founders of the Not Perfect Hat Club helped us promote this event.  They were tremendous at getting us ready, Skyping with our students, and sending out information to the media.  Just about every major media in the state of North Dakota was informed in one-way shape or form about this event.  On the day of the event, just one news organization came to cover it.  I want to personally thank the Jamestown Sun for coming out and promoting something positive.

We did not do this to gain attention, rather we did it raise awareness and promote individuality.  We simply intended to promote a positive message to our students.  But it completely saddens me that we seem to have things backwards in society.  The media should flock to something positive.  

I’ve said this before, and I will say it again.  “The world is a great place.”  We must train ourselves to see the positives, promote the positives, embrace the positives, and mimic the positives.  Positive news will yield happier people.  Happier people will then yield healthier people.  It's actually quite simple.  

Does negative news have its place?  Absolutely.  Should we hear about it? If it contains information for our well-being, yes of course.  But we need to shift the focus?  We need to start catching people being good, and then we need spread it all around.     

I honestly believe we the world is great.  I also believe that it can be better.  I believe that todays children will have a big impact on society.  This is precisely why it is my duty as an educator to promote the uniqueness of every child.  Every child that comes through our doors is great at something, and has the ability to impact this world in a positive way.  But we shouldn’t have to go to school everyday and remind students that the world is great.  They should know it.  They should see it.  They should live it.  They should be constantly reminded of it through a variety of different mediums. 

A couple of challenges for you as you embark on your journey through life.  Be a change agent.  Focus on positives and promote them.  If you see somebody doing good shout it out.  Shout it out so loud that everyone hears it and sees it.  Tweet about it.  Blog about it.  Lets spread the positive, continue to learn from the negative and embrace this wonderful world in which we live.  Are you with me?  I couldn’t hear you.  Are you with me?  Still couldn’t, but I will bank on the idea that you are. Jump on the positivity train with me and lets start tooting the horn on the good.

Here is your first good… the Yankees currently lead the Red Sox 10-4.  Sure puts a smile on my face.

You can learn more about the Not Perfect Hat Club and what it means to not be perfect by reading "The Not Perfect Blog Post" on my blog page.

What Are You Waiting For?

“I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go.” Rachel Scott, the first victim of Columbine tragedy.

 

About eight months ago I decided to really step outside my comfort zone.  I began religiously writing blog posts.   For those of you that really know me, you will understand that I’m actually quite insecure.  On the outside I’m a happy-go-lucky type of guy and I express myself in an energetic way.  Most people would call me confident, and others possibly arrogant.  These are actually far from it.  I play a good game, but on the inside I’m quite different.

 

I’m insecure.  So when I decided to start writing and sharing my blog posts to the world you could imagine that it was a giant leap of faith for me.  But I cannot help but think I was put on this earth to do more than what I’m currently doing.  I lie awake at night thinking about how I can make a difference in this world.  I get to work in the greatest profession one could imagine.  I get to inspire people each and every day.  I’m sure some days I do better than others, but the opportunity presents itself with each new sunrise.  My conscious however, continues to tell me that I need to do more. 

 

So I’ve turned to writing.  Over the last eight months I have written over 20 blog posts.  Most of these posts have been attached with a theme of motivation or inspiration.  Some were written to challenge people to think better and to do better.  Others were written as tributes to those that have had a positive impact in my life.  Whatever the post may be, I always try to incorporate a positive message each and every time.

 

Over the last couple weeks I’ve purposely put something out there in order to see what happens.  I posted something or wrote something just to see what kind of a response it would get.  For example,  I posted the picture below challenging people to have a conversation with somebody new each day.  Unfortunately, I think the conversation stopped shortly after I posted it.  Everyone of us has a story that needs to be heard.

 

I also sent out an “I Appreciate You” tweet and challenged people to retweet and show someone that you appreciate them.  Each time I write an inspirational blog I invite people to share it.  I don't make money from my blog.  I'm not out to brand my name.  I write simply because it feels good and I continue to be encouraged to do so.  But dang it, it feels really good to be appreciated, and you have the power to make this happen for someone else.

 

 

 

Two weeks ago I invited three students into my office and shared an idea with them.  I wanted to start a chain reaction of appreciation.  I wanted it to be student led, and let their creative minds run with it.  They came up with an idea to put  “You Are Appreciated” signs on cars and asked the person that received it to pass it on to someone else.   The students did a phenomenal job and put quite a bit of effort into this campaign.  I’m grateful that they stepped up to do something right.  I'd like to personally thank and recognize these three students from Griggs County Central.  Jachob Rosin, Nicole Samson, and Alicia McCardle - thank you for all of your hard work.

 



You Are Appreciated Sign Created by Alicia McCardle

 

I can’t help but be disappointed with all of this though.  I understand the concept that if you changed one life it was worth it, but I think we can do better.  Please listen to me for a second though.  IT TAKES LITTLE EFFORT TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.  Click the share button, the retweet button, or just simply smile at someone and say hello.  Send an appreciation note.  If nothing else, do one nice thing each day for someone else.  It’s actually quite simple. 

 

I’m not saying society is horrible.  I’m not saying the world is getting scarier.  I have a voice inside my head that continues to tell me to be a change agent in this world.  Make life better for someone else.  I’m in an excellent position to do so and so are you.  I completely get that we get caught up in our own lives.  I understand that.  What most of us don’t understand is that we take for granted all the blessings we have in our lives.  We don’t think about how the world would be different if we didn’t have them.  We wake up in the morning and often times repeat the same routines throughout each day.

 

Add something to your routine today and every day that follows….a random act of kindness.  This is all I ask.  This is what Rachel Scott was saying when she wrote the quote from above in her journal.  Rachel has started a chain reaction that has inspired and saved lives.  For more info about a wonderful program that has been created in her name please visit http://www.rachelschallenge.org/  What will your impact be?  What will you do to make a difference? 

  

I challenge you to share one or more of the images you see on this blog or share the entire post. Challenge others to do the same.  Take a second out of your life, to make a world of difference in someone else’s.  I will stop writing blog posts when the little person inside my head settles down.  We have bonded like none other for the last eight months, however I wish he’d agree to bond during daylight hours.

 

I have stepped outside my comfort zone. Are you willing to do the same?  I dare you..double dog dare you....triple dare you with no sticky tag backs.  What are you waiting for?

 

The Not Perfect Blog Post

What does it mean to be perfect?  Have you ever thought about this?  Have you ever looked at someone and thought that they were perfect or had a perfect life?  Do you ever wish that you were perfect?

Perfection is a false perception.  Nobody is perfect.  Nobody will ever reach perfection.  Perfection would be quite boring if you actually think about it. So why is it that our society pushes us to be somebody or something that we are not?

I’m not sure I can answer that, but I would like to introduce you to an organization that is designed to show you that being NOT perfect is perfectly acceptable.  The organization is the Not So Perfect Hat Club.  You can find more information about this wonderful program by visiting www.notperfecthatclub.com. The Not So Perfect Hat Club sends a message to people that you are just fine the way you are.  You have talents and abilities that can take you anywhere you want to go in life.  You don’t have to try to be somebody or something else.  All you need to do is to be you, and be the best “you” you can be.  You are perfectly fine the way you are and nobody can take that away from you.

So how can you be the best “you?”  Vince Lombardi probably said it better than anyone when he said, “perfection is not attainable, but if we chose perfection we can catch excellence.”  Rather than focusing on an end result, focus on what you can do today.  Constant progression will put you on a path to excellence.  Will you have setbacks?  Will you have bad days?  Absolutely you will, but those moments do not define who you are.  How you handle the setbacks and rough days will determine how far you can go.

If you have a beating heart, please live by the following guidelines.

1.     You are special.  There is not one other person like you, and that is an awesome thought.

2.     You are not perfect.  Nobody is perfect and that is perfectly fine.

3.     You matter.  You absolutely matter to many people.  People you don’t even know care about you and are better just because you exist.

4.     Help others.  We can help people by lifting them up and praising them.  Even though you ultimately control your own destiny – you can influence and be influenced.  You may just find that by helping others you are actually helping yourself.

5.     Practice optimistic thinking.  If we strive to think better and do better, the world in which we live will ultimately be better.  You will find that your optimistic thinking will become habitual and it will yield a much happier life for yourself.

I’m not a scientist, sociologist, psychologist, or anything that ends in ist or gist.  I’m an educator and educatorist is not a word.  I’m a human being that believes the world is great and the people that make it up are even greater.   The words that come out of my mouth carry no more weight than the words that come out of yours or others.  I’m not famous.  I’m not a billionaire.  I've never been on Dr. Phil, Ellen, or the Price is Right.  I’m an ordinary person just letting you know that ordinary is ok, and that you control your transformation from ordinary to extraordinary.

Next time somebody tells you that you are not perfect, say thank you.  Perfect would be boring.   If you don’t believe me or want to listen to me then ponder on the following quote from Albert Einstein.

“A perfection of means, and confusion of aims, seems to be our main problem.”

So now that I’m not perfectly fine with this not so perfect blog, I’m going to stop writing and continue to not be perfect.  I will however strive for it, work for it, and dream for it, and hopefully settle on excellence.

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