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."