Defining Defining Moments

We all have “life changing” moments. The moments that bring tears, goose bumps, smiles…whatever the occasion calls for brings a reaction. We tend to focus so much on these events and how that has been “the best or worst thing” that has happened. Our minds latch onto these moments and obsession becomes a proper word to explain your emotions. As important as these moments may seem or be…it’s really what we do next that is important.

My senior year of college, well much can be said about those 9 months so I will do my best to not digress. As my undergraduate career was coming to an (much anticipated) end, I was pretty sure I knew the direction I would be going in…by pretty sure I mean I applied to one graduate school and only one job. I had been given guarantees by so many people around me on both of those options that both SEEMED like a sure thing. I remember sitting in my 3 hour senior seminar with Dr. Melanie Murphy, planning my next year. The apartment I would live in, the friends I would surround myself with, the commute back and forth to Boston College. I vividly remember watching a Boston College basketball game in late March that year and being like, YES, free tickets! It’s easy to guess what direction this is going…3 days prior to commencement, I received a letter and a phone call within 3 minutes of each other—one reading “WAIT LIST” the other saying Thanks, but no thanks.

Being a fortunate kid who also tried to work hard I was not use to getting “No’s” and was devastated. Humiliated is almost a better word…I was pretty confident that I would land on my feet eventually, but to have all those conversations with people who reassured me that it was “in the bag” and not to mention the dreadful conversation with the parents. Ugh, I was not in a happy place…but 2 years later I am with an M.Ed and hung out in Tampa, FL for pretty much free.

It could have been easy for me to throw in the towel and take a different career path. I could have taught history or even (gulp, close your eyes mom) played poker professionally for a year. These are the moments that make us strong; it’s the mental war that is battled viciously from one side of your brain to the other. Leadership is a funny word, that can be defined many different ways…but some of the best leadership qualities people can possess are used when no one is around. Pulling yourself up off the ground, fighting through those times whether they are good or bad. It’s not about THAT moment; it’s about what you do with the outcome.
We all CAN be great, it’s knowing how to take advantage of the growing moments. If you want to grow, want to be great, want to be happy—you need to see those moments and embrace them. The good and the bad, it’s not always going to feel good but when you look back at your life, you will understand the importance of these moments.

Uncertainty and Sundays

The unknown has been great over the last few weeks and motivation has been lacking in many areas. However, with all of the turbulence in the air there has been some consistencies that make everything more bearable and enjoyable. The anticipation and excitement leading up to the resolvement of the unknown has been growing immensely and it's conclusion will bring answers to so many questions.

Even with all of these answers it will post new difficulties and force uncomfortable decisions that will need to be made. But with all of this floating throughout the brain--today was Sunday. And it was football. Sunday has easily become my favorite day of the week, what was once a day dreaded and loaded with homework...a day that brought procrastination to the forefront...is now a day that is looked forward to. Sunday is now filled with words like quiet, nap, laundry, and Football.

Who knows what this week will bring but what I do know is that next Sunday...I will be right where I am now, on my couch slipping in and out of a coma enjoying football with a beer.

Welcome

Howdy,

I'm not really sure what the purpose of this will be and how I will use it...but it seemed like the thing to do. It seems fitting that on the day I am creating this, the New York Yankees are about to close in on their 27th World Championship. I have been abused by horrendous commentating from Tim McCarver over the past week and I feel as though my sports I.Q. has dropped considerably. So the inaguaral blog post will go to you Mr. McCarver...thank you, thank you for making me feel that much dumber about my sports knowledge.

Until then,