An open letter to my son - Part 28

What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes!  

An open letter to my son - Part 27

You were born with talents.  That is your gift from God.

What you do with those talents is your gift to God.

Success is your obligation!  Give this life all you got!

An open letter to my son - Part 26

Yesterday, I got to see a number of tributes to a great man: Tom Osborne.  It was his last home game working for the University of Nebraska as Athletic Director.  He received accolades from friends and family.  His former players and assistant coaches had nothing but respect for him.  Even some of his rival coaches paid tribute.

There are so many things that we all can learn from a man of Dr. Tom's caliber.  But, the thing that I remember and respect most about him (and a couple of points I'd like to impress upon you) was that he never gave up and he went for the win. 

They used to say he couldn't win the big one.  But, he won 3 National Titles as head coach when I was in college.  

He never gave up on the field and he stood behind his players . . . even when it would have been easier to move on.  He's most famous for going for a victory in 1984 when a tie would have one him his first National Title.  

 "We were trying to win the game," Osborne said. "I don't think you go for a tie in that case. You try to win the game. We wanted an undefeated season and a clear-cut national championship."

His persistence and focus on being victorious allowed him to go out on top . . . as a coach, AD, community servant (and most importantly as a man).  

An open letter to my son - Part 25

It's been over a week since I've made an blog entry in this series of notes to you.  It's easy to get sidetracked in life.  Business and busyness sometimes will cause you to loose sight of what is really important.

Your mom and I went to Atlanta last week for a meeting.  It's been a busy week at work.  Thanksgiving is next week . . . I could come up with a long list of excuses.

But, in the spirit of accountability and commitment, I must complete these next 14 blog entries for you.

My message and advice here is just really one word: FINISH

Ideas are a dime a dozen.  It's easy to act on the idea and get started.  But, it can be very difficult to see things through to their end.

Winners follow through.  Winners finish.

FINISH

An open letter to my son - Part 24

You have no way of controlling what others say or do.  But, you can control your reaction.

Contrary to popular opinion, reactions are a choice.  It's easy to be offended (and get defensive) when someone speaks ill of you.  But, why is that your business?  What other people think of you is really none of your business.  It's their opinion.

Be a you that you are proud of.  Refuse to defend that person to anyone who may choose to criticize who you are becoming.

An open letter to my son - Part 23

Roughly half of America woke up this morning pleased with yesterday's presidential election.  The other half woke up disappointed (i.e. yours truly).  As they say, "you win some, you lose some."

When times are good . . . don't get too high.

When times are not so good . . . they probably aren't as bad as you think.  Good times will soon return.  

I'm reminded of an old Dire Straights song that explains this phenomenon quite well:

"Well it's a strange old game - you learn it slow. One step forward and it's back to go. You're standing on the throttle. You're standing on the breaks. In the groove 'til you make a mistake.  

Sometime you're the windshield. Sometime you're the bug. Sometime it all comes together baby. Sometime you're a fool in love. Sometime you're the louisville slugger. Sometime you're the ball. Sometime it all come together. baby Sometime you're gonna lose it all."  

 Life has it's ups and downs.  Everything in nature moves in cycles.  So prepare yourself for both prosperity and the inevitable challenges.

An open letter to my son - Part 22

Most people that you meet are fearful and lazy.
Maintain your courage and hustle to lead the field.

An open letter to my son - Part 21

The world is noisy and getting noisier.

Text.  Email.  Facetime. Facebook. Farmville. Angrybirds. iPads. Movies on Demand . . .

I didn't have to experience all those distractions growing up.  

I can only imagine the list will be ever-expanding as you grown up.

Find time for Bennett each and every day.  

Reflect.  Count your blessings.  Meditate.  Just be.

That alone time will help you quiet the noise that surrounds you 

and allow you to focus on what is truly important.  

An open letter to my son - Part 20

This afternoon I watched my alma mater come from behind for an amazing victory.  With a few minutes left, I thought Nebraska had no chance in that football game.  They showed real grit and mental toughness in those last few minutes. They won the game with 6 seconds remaining.  

Develop your mental toughness for those setbacks that inevitably come in life.  Be resilient and be courageous.  With a "whatever it takes" attitude and a "never say never" mentality, you will surprise yourself with how many happy endings can come out of dire situations.  

Sometimes you need to be relentless. 

Persist with mental toughness.  There is always a way when you are committed.    

"Mental toughness is many things and rather difficult to explain. Its qualities are sacrifice and self-denial. Also, most importantly, it is combined with a perfectly disciplined will that refuses to give in. It’s a state of mind – you could call it ‘character in action." - Vince Lombardi

An open letter to my son - Part 19

Voice your opinion.  Be involved in your future. Vote!  

P.S.  I just filled out my ballot for the 2012 election.  I was voting on one issue:  Bennett's future!

An open letter to my son - Part 18

Don't be afraid to say "I don't know."   People who act like they have all the answers are desperately trying to disguise their own ignorance . . . or they are full of crap.  Usually it's both.  

Don't dance around the issue.  There is no shame in just saying "I don't know."