IGNITING GREATNESS



Wednesday, February 23, 2011

What Have You Heard Today

What have you heard today that;
made you stop and think 
made you smile 
made you mad
you never knew before
What have you heard today that;
made you want to get up and change the world
was an idea to add to your bucket list
made you want to dance or sing out loud
What have you heard today?
a bird trying to welcome in spring
a baby's laughter that just made you giggle
a song from your childhood
What have you heard today????

So much swirls around our busy lives, in this crazy world, that we miss so much.  Yet when you stop to take a moment you can discover so many things.  So stop and listen - you never know what you will hear, what you will experience.  Take a breath, take a moment, take a listen - Now you will know what you have heard today. 

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Losing 26 Games in a Row - Does Not Make You A Loser

Whether you follow sports or not you may have heard of the losing streak of the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team, 26 games in a row, before finally winning last night.  Much was said regarding the reason the team was struggling, mainly though, due to the loss of Lebron James to the Miami Heat.  Yet this group of men were just deemed losers, not caring, quitters.  But unless they collectively expressed this about themselves or just called in sick and didn't play the games, no one should ever speak so harshly about another.

I know first hand what it is like to get caught in a losing streak.  Never once did my players quit or not care.  If anything, they cared even more and tried even harder.  But what it did do was greatly effect their self-esteem and personal beliefs in their own abilities.  They then found themselves not only facing the opponent in the other dugout, but the greater foe of themselves.  They were also fighting off what was being written about them in the paper, said in the classroom, and the questioning of why they "sucked" (outsiders words, not ours).  So extra time was then spent tackling confidence and mental strength.  Together we stayed the course and I KNOW it made them stronger and better people because they endured when no one thought they could.  It built character, gave them greater appreciation for the little things, and insight into themselves.

So the next time you're quick to throw out an opinion on someone else, stop.  You never know what they are going through or what effort they are putting forth.  Winning is easy, Losing is hard. Winning is crowded, Losing is lonely.  Winning is the popular kid, Losing is the class geek.  But at the end of the day give me the person who has come through the struggle and still standing tall, they know how to endure.  They'll have your back when the going gets tough.  They'll know how to handle adversity, overcome the lows.
The losers will be the real winners because they never quit.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Weathering the Storm

The winter of 2010-2011, here in Connecticut, has seen record breaking snow fall and temperatures.  Like clock work, a major storm hit weekly since the blizzard the day after Christmas.  There is at least 50 inches of accumulated snow outside my window.  Roads are narrow, driving is risky, roofs are caving in and we wait to see the results of the predicated ice storm hitting overnight.  Yet even with all this nasty weather, gray skies, and melancholy days spring is about 45 days away.

Spring, the season of new beginnings, fresh growth, and renewed possibilities.  The snow may not be all gone, heck it may not be gone until May, but eventually it will melt.  Cold days will give way to cool breezes, flowers will pop through, and soon it will be too hot.

So what does this tell us?  It tells us and what we can learn is that no matter what situation or circumstance we are presently in, no matter how bad things may seem right now - it will change.  Nothing is permanent, not even all this snow.  By facing the moment you're in and realizing whatever you are feeling is only temporary, you'll make better choices, suffer less, and be more open to self-reflection.  This awareness may lead you down a different road next time around.   Good or bad, happy or sad, hot or cold, it's only temporary.

The snow will melt, the temperatures will rise, the days will get brighter.  So weather the storm, that too will pass.  Weather, feelings, bad days, happy days, all come and go.  Stay open and ready for whatever today presents and tomorrow brings.