Yes, that cake above was delicious. Red Velvet (my favorite) made by my favorite Certified Pastry Chef, my daughter Nicole. She made that cake 10 years ago but don’t worry it’s long gone. This photo was found by doing a deep Facebook dive. So why are you looking at a cake that we ate 10 years ago?
As I start my 37th year in education today I was reminded of that moment and what has transpired in the last ten years to get to this point. There have been some fantastic moments, tough moments, moments that I failed and moments where I may have made a difference. The moment in 2011 and remembered in a timeline was a special one.
I have been blessed to be a full time Activities and Athletic Director for the past ten years since completing my degree. Completing that degree was the end of a long journey that I started several times, in several different places and could never get it finished because of the coaching responsibilities I always had. I was very proud to have completed that degree program and have been blessed to use it in three different districts since leaving Treynor in 2012.
Thinking back to that moment in time (2011) helped me remember a very important part of My Why. I think it is important for us to remember our why each and every day but we often times get to be so busy that we forget about why we really do what we do. A new school year is a good time to always think about the why and as an educator I have an opportunity to think about it every year as we prepare for the return of students from their summer break. The main part of my why is to help people become the best version of themselves now, help to play a part in preparing them for their future as workers, wives, husbands, mothers and fathers by working to provide them a first class experience.
There was also a photo in that Facebook post of myself (less grey hair), my dad, and my then only grandchild sitting with the cake shown above as we celebrated me finishing my Masters program from the University of South Dakota. (Did I mention how good that cake was.) The second part of my why is to honor my family and others. I want to honor my parents as well as the teachers, coaches, administrators and mentors who invested so much in me through their love, support and encouragement.
In addition, my why includes doing what I do for my family. I do it for my wife, my kids, their spouses, and my grandkids. I not only want to support and provide for them but I want to honor them by working hard, serving and caring for other people and try to model how to go about your business in a professional and respectful manner while helping people be better every day. I have never been perfect in what I do but I’ve always tried to work for people, respect people and give my best each and every day.
If you are educator and you are just starting your year like me please take a moment to remind yourself of your why and then give your best effort every day to honor those who have invested so much in you and then you can turn around and invest in your work to be an example to those who may be watching you. If you are in another line of work take time to revisit your why and let it help to reenergize you today as well.
I am looking forward to Year 37 and look forward to creating and investing in moments. I am encouraging you to do the same. Invest and Inspire someone today. Repeat daily.
Be Blessed!
Made For This Moment 