I
recently read an article about a public speaking class and the things that were
learned and shared. It struck a few
chords with me and I would like to share with you why.
Everyday
people get up, go through the motions of life, go to bed and repeat. Within that day, we are offered choices,
obstacles and opportunity. We shape our
day and our lives by what we choose to engage in that day. We make the choice to eat breakfast, go to
work, talk to our friends, family, coworkers, stay calm, get emotional,
etc. These choices are ours. Yes, we have expectations placed on us but
our family, kids, and boss, but we have chosen to put their demands and needs in
our daily lives as a priority.
Each
and every day we are offered opportunities that we can choose to engage or we
can let pass by. Some things may seem
trivial, and some things make us stop and think a little more. But in reality each opportunity could be a
life changing event. No matter how big
or small, these are the things that shape our lives.
When
I opened my email I could have ignored the Newsletter from our trainer, but I didn’t. I chose to open it and read the article. It made me stop and think about the
opportunities presented to me on a daily basis.
So many times in my life, especially when I was younger, I was presented
with opportunities that I passed. They were
passed on for many reasons. I often
think back on those choices and wonder where my life would be had I chosen
differently. Where would I be today had
I chosen to be more focused on academics than on my social life and athletics
in high school? Because I was focused on
athletics, I missed out on scholarships and getting into college. So I didn’t go. Because I wasn’t in college, I
was offered an opportunity to become a working student and train for the US
Equestrian Team tryouts. I passed on
that too, even though it had been a dream of mine since I was a young child. It
scared me. I was scared of failing and
scared of the success. Because I passed on my training, I was able to continue
to coach. In high school I was given the
opportunity be a Junior Coach, then a volunteer coach, then an assistant coach,
eventually a head coach. It is the only
thing I have never passed on.
When
an opportunity presents itself in the form of coaching, mentoring cheerleaders
or coaches I rarely ever pass. I know
that in my heart, with every contact, skill and connection made, I will learn
and grow. I know that those I come into
contact with will take something away from the experience. Coaching has opened doors and opportunities
for me and my life that I never thought possible. Because of coaching I have traveled across
the country, met some of my very best friends, and married the love of my life
(which led to a beautiful daughter). I have
been able to see so many amazing athletes get a chance to become something they
didn’t know they could. I have witnessed
kids graduate that were never expected to finish school. I have seen families
joined together to support others. I have seen other coaches become successful
because of my mentoring or learning from my failures. These things are all
possible because whenever an opportunity presented itself, I said yes. I always say yes and then figure out how we
will make it all work. …Yes, I will come to your practice and watch. Yes, please come to my house, we will study
and learn what you need to be a well prepared coach. Yes, I will help you coach that team. Yes, I will help you run tryouts. Yes, please
bring your team to my practice so your kids can see how we put it together. Yes, yes, yes... Always yes, and I always learn and gain more
in my life because of those choices.
The
theme of the public speaking class was “Take the cookies when they are passed.” The message is that when an opportunity
presents itself, take it. You never know
what it will teach you, change in you, touch your heart or allow you to
influence another.
What
choices did you make today? What did you pass on? What will you do today that
will change your life forever?
