Reflections from the Home Team April 16,
2016
The secret to life and the greatest success strategy of all is…
“Love all of it and fear
none of it!”
I wanted to take a moment to share some thoughts with you today by reflecting in a little different way... As you know, I have always found it most comfortable to express my thoughts and emotions using baseball terminology, so here goes.
Many of my teammates during my baseball playing days said to me after their retirement from the game "Ride it till the wheels fall off Dave because once it's over it's over." Well, my wheels may not be completely off, but there are a lot of miles on these tires, and the tread left on them is a bit thinner. My body just doesn't do what it used to do. I've always said that if I couldn't perform to the level I'm accustomed to, then it was time to walk away...
Baseball (as life) is a game of failure that tends to be always followed by opportunity.
Baseball is also a microcosm for life. It teaches life lessons that I don't think any other profession could teach and from which I have drawn many parallels in my years in education. Baseball (as life) is also about the journey, not the destination. And what an amazing journey it has been for me in my years in education! Maybe for all of us, we have something to learn from the game by pushing aside the fear that can come from taking on challenges for fear of failure... a mindset that can help us all grow on our journey.
As the old adage says,
“All good things must come to an end” so after 40 years in education as a
teacher, coach, athletic director, and principal, I have made the decision to
“hang up my cleats” and retire as Holmes Jr. High’s Principal at the end of this
“contract season”. I have been BLESSED
beyond measure. My cup has been filled with good times and good fortune. I have chased many dreams for the past 40
years, allowing me to meet the most amazing cast of characters you could ever
imagine, while also allowing me to experience lasting relationships that most
people could only dream of.
I can honestly say
that I worked hard, prepared, and always did my best to serve my students and
staff to the best of my ability. I have great respect for the education profession
and those in it, and have always tried to make school an engaging place to be
while having as much fun as possible along the way. Even when life’s fortunes
kicked me in the guts and brought me to my knees with cancer, I got back up
when I was knocked down with the help of my faith, family, friends, my students
and staff. I will always be able to look my two beautiful grand children in the
eye one day and say, “Grandpa never gave in, and never gave up.” I can look in
the mirror and know that I “played the game” the right way, leaving it all on
the field, and have zero regrets.
Although I will dearly
miss squaring up to the challenges facing us in the “business” of education
today, what I will really miss are the little things. The relationships and
stories (believe me, I’ve got a few) generated by working with my students,
athletes and their parents over the years, as well as the many friendships I
have developed with my colleagues, but what I will miss most of all is being a
part of watching and impacting young people as they grow from being “wide eyed”
seventh graders into caring and responsible young adults. Having been a part of
that in so many lives has been so rewarding for me. It’s where I have felt most
comfortable and free. It’s where I am at ease and at peace. I don’t know what
could ever replace the feeling of being completely at home with young people
while “at work.” To all my students, athletes and colleagues I have had the
pleasure of “working” with and learning from over the years, it’s you who I
will think of when I reflect on the past 40 years. It’s you who have filled my
heart and soul with so many laughs and so much love. I just want you to know
that I love you all.
I was once asked by a
teammate early in my playing days, if I didn’t make it to the big leagues,
would I consider my baseball playing days “all for naught?” Without hesitation,
I said, “no way, it’s about the journey and those who were a part of it along
the way!” In the same way, the journey and relationships I have experienced in
my education career has been a “Big League” experience! I look forward to
teaching the lessons I have learned to my grandchildren and using those same
lessons in the next phase of my life’s journey and the many opportunities that
will present as I continue to serve others. My focus will be on family and
wellness. I plan to continue advocating for After School programming and
education at the state and national levels, my scouting work with the Atlanta
Braves, tending our family farm as well
as serving others in Cedar Falls helping keep this area the best place to raise
and educate a family in the State of Iowa. I look forward to my next adventure.
I’m not sure which direction God will lead me, but I trust His plan and am
excited to see what the next chapter has in store for me.
I will leave you with a thought from one of
my favorite authors by the name of Jon Gordon. When writing one of his recent
books, “The Carpenter” he talked about being filled with the fear that he would
disappoint the people who had enjoyed reading his previous books… fear that
people would say his best writing was behind him, fears that he would write a
“piece of junk”. At that moment, he realized the antidote to fear is love. So
instead of the fear of failing, he decided to focus on his love of writing, his
love for the reader, and his desire to make a difference. From that moment on
the book flowed. He wrote it in 2 1/2 weeks and discovered that if you focus on
love, you will cast out fear.
I want to encourage each of you to do the
same as you build your life, work, business, school, project or team with love
instead of fear. Remind yourself that if you aren’t building it with love it
won’t become all that it can be. Only through love will you create something
special, magnificent and compelling. Only through love will you build a
masterpiece.
So if you are trying to build a business,
focus on the love you have of building it rather than the fear of losing it. If
you work at a school, focus on loving your students instead of fearing all the
new testing standards and mandates. If you are a young athlete, dancer,
musician or artist, focus on your love of playing and performing instead of
your fear of failing. Worrying about the outcome and what people think will
steal your joy and sabotage your success but loving and appreciating the moment
will energize you and enhance your performance. Love all of it!!
Most of all, as you build with love, know
that you will face many challenges and negative influences that can shift your
focus back to fear if you let it. When this happens decide to LOVE ALL OF IT.
When you love all of it you will fear none of it.
Love the struggle because it makes you appreciate your accomplishments.
Love challenges because they make you stronger.
Love competition because it makes you better.
Love negative people because they make you more positive.
Love those who have hurt you because they teach you forgiveness.
Love fear because it makes you courageous.
Love challenges because they make you stronger.
Love competition because it makes you better.
Love negative people because they make you more positive.
Love those who have hurt you because they teach you forgiveness.
Love fear because it makes you courageous.
The secret to life and the greatest success
strategy of all is to love all of it and fear none of it! Thanks to all for
taking this journey with me. I am, and have been, TRULY blessed.
My love to all!
Sincerely, Dave
Colossians 3:23
Link to: Reflections
from the Home Team BLOG
http://reflectionsfromthehometeam.blogspot.com/
http://reflectionsfromthehometeam.blogspot.com/
Link to Vimeo:
Reflections from the "Home Team"... Go the Distance
http://vimeo.com/53873087
http://vimeo.com/53873087
Link to: Tommy
Emmanuel and "Angelina"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhR04kmcSXU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhR04kmcSXU