I am including today an excerpt from a book that I am reading right now called Season of Life by Jeffrey Marx. It is a book written about Joe Ehrmann, a once Indianapolis Colts player, high school football coach, ordained minister, and philanthropist. Joe Ehrmann attended a 'seminar' type setting to come and speak to our local JFL team--What an honor!!!
This excerpt is referring to a football team that is being co-coached by Francis "Biff" Poggi and Joe Ehrmann. They are adressing the boys on the first day of practice. I find this excerpt a lesson that each one of us can learn from and/or teach our kids:
For one thing, they would make an impact by being inclusive rathan than exclusive.
"The rest of the world will alwyas try to separate you," Biff said. "That's almost a law of nature - gonna happen no matter what, right? The rest of the world will want to separate you by race, by socioeconomic status, by education levels, by religion, by neighborhood, by what kind of car you drive, by the clothes you wear, by athletic ability. You name it - always gonna be people who want to separate by that stuff. Well, if you let that happen now, then you'll let it happen later. Don't let it happen. If you're one of us, then you won't walk around putting people in boxes. Not now. Not ever. Because every single one of them has somehting to offer. Every sinlge one of them is special. "
Biff said, "We are a program of inclusion. We do not believe in separation."
The boys would make also make in impact by breaking down cliques and stereotypes, by developing empathy and kindness for all.
"What's empathy?" Biff asked them. "Feeling what?" "Feeling what the other person feels," said senior captain, a small but solid wide receiver and hard-hitting defeinsive back who had already accepted a scholarship to play college football.
"Exactly right," Biff said. "Not feeling for someone, but with someone. If you can put yourself in another man's shoes, that's a great gift to have for a lifetime."
What a great lesson??? Biff goes on to say that no one -team mate or not - should eat lunch by themselves, they should go get him and ALWAYS make him feel wanted, make him feel special.
How else would the boys make an impact?
By living with integrity...and not only when it is convenient to do so. Always.
By seeking justice...because it is often hidden.
By encouraging the oppressed...because they are always discouraged.
Ultimately, Biff said, the boys would make the greatest overall impact on the world - would bring the most love and grace and healing to the people - by constanlty basing their thoughts and actions on one simple question: What can I do for you??
He goes on to state that it is not about how much money you make, how big your house is, what I can do to get more power/authority/job title...the only question that really matters is: How can I help you today??
I think this is a lesson long forgotten by parents today. Teaching our kids to be selfless is almost impossible when our society teaches adults and kids alike to 'look out for yourself'. I challenge you today to find ways to selflessly help someone else today just because.
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