An open letter to my son - Part 30

Research shows that once our basic life needs (food, water, shelter, love) are met, happiness has little to do with your circumstances.  Develop an inner serenity that doesn't wavier.  Your mindset will determine your happiness . . . nothing more and nothing less.

An open letter to my son - Part 29

Son, I just put you down for a nap.  Moments later I hear of a senseless crime that has occurred in Connecticut.  A gunman walked into an elementary school only to extinguish innocence and destroy lives. 

The specifics are yet to come to the surface.  But suffice it to say that the general sentiment will be "What is this world coming too?"  and "There is so much evil in this world!"

This event makes me incredibly sad for that community.  But as easy as it is to turn negative on this story, I can't completely go there. 

Most people I know are good and trustworthy.   Rest assured, there will be more love in Newtown, CT tonight than any town has ever felt. 

Please don't let the all too frequent news of these heinous outliers corrupt your view of the world. Just be an intensely good human . . . and surround yourself with more of the same.  There is an abundance of goodness when you look for it. 

When you wake up, I'll hug you a little tighter than usual and I'll be certain you know how much I love you.  That moment won't be good . . . it will be great! 

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.