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.