This Mother's Day, as I reflect, I'm thankful for all of the mothers in my life including my mom Dolores, my mother in law Liz, and my wife and mother of my children, Kate. I pray that all of us would take a moment to reflect on the women in our life and how they really have all the qualities that this angel was so curious about.
Individually, I realize that we can’t possibly help ALL of these causes in our lifetime, but I guess my realization is that perhaps we are each touched by some of these challenges in our lives so that we will be drawn into the battle that each one represents. Drawn into action to support families and patients of veterans, teachers or ex-offenders because they need our help.
And the crowning moment of Springtime for me has become the Easter celebration and the eternal implication it represents in my faith. Easter has always been significant to me, and in some years the meaning of Easter has overwhelmed me to the point of uncontrollable tears and sobbing at the foot of the cross on Good Friday.
This is a great thought that I want to share, and one that I hope I can utilize and live more on purpose each day going forward, to WANT TO BE WHERE I AM, and to be fully present where I am and doing what I am doing. It brought me great joy. I hope when you try it, it brings you simple and deep joy as well.
In life, especially when things don’t go your way, despite your best effort, I've learned that sometimes you have to take it like a man. I have been able to apply that message over and over in my adult life, especially the past few years with the deaths in our family and even with my leukemia diagnosis...
"In life, there is much more value in the journey, than there is at the destination!" - Coach Wilson
I was stopped in my tracks. I have always understood that intuitively, and even experientially, but I have never heard it put so succinctly. As I reflected on my athletic career and my entire life I found that it rang true for every season.
I heard Michael Thompson ask the men at the HEART OF A WARRIOR conference "How many moments in a day do you think God is in?" There is a silence, but shortly a man blurts out "all of them." The rest of the men nod, but say in their mind "that's what we are supposed to say, but it doesn’t feel like that."
I have so thoroughly enjoyed writing and sharing this blog with so many. The responses have been uplifting and inspiring and I am grateful. A few people have asked me why I write and what is the point to my offerings? The answer is DUPLICITY. The duplicity of preparing to die, and still preparing to continue to live. Let me explain.
With THE QB MENTOR out in ebook at Amazon and Barnes & Noble and the paperback available for Christmas delivery via the website www.qbmentorbook.com, I found myself reading through some of the old notes from the classes that Coach Wilson had given to my son Shawn over the past 18 months and something he shared in one class really hit me.
Never look at the enormity of the task at hand or the proverbial hill you are climbing, while you are climbing, while you are mid-task. Once you put your mind into the task, then focus on the NEXT STEP all the way through. Just keep taking the next step, especially when the challenge is large and the incline steep.
I just want to wish you and your family the greatest thanksgiving ever, remembering to actually GIVE THANKS, and to feel appreciation and gratitude for all our blessings. Because, the reality is that when we find ourselves in a posture of thanksgiving, it is impossible to hold onto anger, fear, un-forgiveness or prejudice.
