What will you DO during Lent?

I help with our youth group at our church and our Pastor, Eric Sunderland, shared the following with us about the season of Lent and I really liked how he challenged our youth to look at the season of Lent.  Everyone always focuses on what they are going to give up or not do during Lent.  This is great and I challenge you to give something up for Lent, but Eric took things to the next level and asked our youth to, also, commit to doing something new.  He stated "You are giving something up.  What are you going to do to replace what you are giving up?"  This resonated with me!  It is right on what I always challenge myself and others to do...take action!  It should be something productive.  For example, if you are giving up chocolate you could start eating healthier at the same time.  It does no good to give up chocolate and replace it with gummy bears.

So during this time of Lent you are challenged to not just give something up, but also to do something new and Strive4Excellence!

Think Differently

Do you ever look at a problem or situation you are trying to solve and ask yourself, "What am I missing?"  We can be so focused on something that the best thing we can do is take a step back, re-evaluate, and think/look at things in a completely different manner.  Recently I was able to watch the movie Moneyball.  A great movie I highly recommend to all.  It is based on the true events of the Oakland A's management and how they re-invent the way the game of baseball is being managed and played.  We can all learn from this.  Just because something has been done one way for many years does not mean it is the best way.

In every situation take a step back and ask yourself the following question, "Are we asking the right questions and do we truly know what the problem is?"  Only then can you truly begin to evaluate things and move in the best direction.  Think differently and Strive4Excellence!

Family and Friends

Going to keep it simple this week. I have had a great week now enjoying family and friends with the Christmas season.  Don't forget the importance of family and good friends in your everyday life.  Often times we can get busy and lose focus of the important things in life. Value every moment you have with family and friends. Before you make decisions in life ask yourself, "How will this affect my family and friends?"

Agent of Change

There is no question that the events that took place in Connecticut last Friday have affected us all in some way.  Often times when we hear about incidents like this we wish there is something we could do to help.  Well there is!  Step up and be an agent of change!  This is exactly what Pat Kelsey, head basketball coach at Winthrop, challenged us all to do in a speech he gave following a game at Ohio State University.  Sure we don't have the answers of:  is it a gun control issue, graphic video games, or mental health issue?  The one thing that is clear, however, is we can all have an impact on others lives in a positive way.  We can serve as mentors, teachers, coaches, and friends for all.  So step up and be an agent of change!  I will! Will you?

Pat Kelsey Speech

Do it Anyway

The following was first shared with me by my high school basketball coach Don Showalter in our team handbook.  The Paradoxical Commandments has something we can all learn from.  Be yourself and who you are regardless of others.  Always do what you know is right, knowing it may not always be the popular choice.  Live by the Paradoxical Commandments below and Strive4Excellence.

The Paradoxical Commandments

by Dr. Kent M. Keith

1. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
   Love them anyway.
   
2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
   Do good anyway.
   
3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
   Succeed anyway.
   
4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
   Do good anyway.
   
5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
   Be honest and frank anyway.
   
6. The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.Think big anyway.
7. People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
   Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
   
8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
   Build anyway.
   
9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
   Help people anyway.
   
10. Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
    Give the world the best you have anyway.

Are you "too busy?"

Often times we can get "too busy" for things.  This week on ESPN College Hoops they have been promoting the V Foundation for Jimmy V Week.  Jimmy Valvano was a great basketball coach, but an even greater person.  Before Jimmy lost his battle with cancer in 1993 he gave the speech linked below.  I challenge you to watch this video.  It's got great content that can help us all Strive4Excellence and realize we are never "too busy" to enjoy life and those around us.

Here are some keys to take from the video:

3 Things to do Everyday
Laugh
Think
Emotions move to tears (happy or sad)

Keys to Success
Know where you started
Know where you are
Know where you're going to be

I don't care if you are a basketball fan or not.  Check out this video! It is well worth your time.

Click here for Jimmy V's speech from 1993 ESPY's

Different Perspectives

Things aren't always as they seem.  Whenever you are faced with a tough situation look at things from all angles.  Think outside of the box.  If we want to push ourselves to greatness and Strive4Excellence in all we do we have to approach things from all angles and different perspectives.  Just because things have been done a certain way for a period of time, it does not mean it is the best way. 

Start small.  Choose one part of your life or something you are involved with currently.  Take a step back and look at things and ask yourself, "Could we be doing this better?"  Keep an open mind and look at it from as many angles and different perspectives as you can.  You may even surprise yourself with what you accomplish when you do so.