Someone close to me said that I need to start writing more, so I thought I would start publishing a few of the 'talks' I give to the team... This one is from our end of season banquet on 12/3/2019
When thinking about what I wanted to talk about at the banquet this year, I was having trouble coming up with any 'new' material. After all, for those of you who have been with me for four years, I've pretty much taught you everything I know (and maybe some stuff I was only guessing at, but hey I said it confidently :). And then I thought, 'you know what? Everyone in this room is WAY smarter than I was when I was in your place' so maybe I should just stay out of your way and let you carry on. But there was a part of me, probably that part of me that used to want to be a pastor, that just couldn't pass up a good opportunity to deliver a sermon. So there I was back to square one, just what the heck to talk about at the end of season banquet. And then it occurred to me that if I think of myself as an educator (which I do), and the cross country season is like a lesson (or a collection of many lessons), then maybe I should think like an educator and approach this from that standpoint. So coming from that perspective I decided to do what I thought an educator should do at the conclusion of a lesson and reiterate the main points. With that in mind here are 3 'takeaways' that I hope have been imparted to you either through explicit or implicit means throughout this season.
Know Thyself
Know who you are, accept who you are, love who you are. Too many of us waste time wishing we had the talents and skills of other people. Take time to get to know yourself, identify your strengths and weaknesses, accept your limitations and embrace your potential. Whoever you are, whatever you are, accept that and love yourself. Even if you're as goofy as Eddie and you cheer a little too loudly in team meetings. Just say, "I'm sorry this is too loud for you, but I'm not sorry I cheer loudly because that's who I am and that's what I do". Also realize that because you are human you DO have the capacity to change. If there is a habit, or mindset, or skill you wish you had, you can develop it! It may take time and effort, but with persistence you will succeed - just look at Ryan, he used to pretty much be a carnivore, but he's plant based now!!
Control
There is only so much you can control in this life. Figure out what it is you have control over, control that and don't stress about the rest. In a given situation you may not have control over what is happening to you, but you always have control over your mentality and perception. We have talked many times this season about being in control during your races. While its good to be aware of what other runners are doing, you can't control that. You can control what you're doing and what you're thinking, that's it. In a way that realization should be liberating, it frees you from the anxiety of trying to predict half of an outcome that you have no control over anyway. While everyone else is losing their cool, let's endeavor to keep ours. No matter how hard I try I may never control Ray's urge to talk over me, but I calm myself down with the realization that one day he'll be in front of a class and there is going to be this one kid who just won't shut up, then Ray will get his just desserts.
Beginnings and endings
The only truly important beginning and ending in life is your birth and your death. Each of those moments happen naturally so no need to get anxious there. Life is not about beginnings and endings, there will be many of each for all of you. Every run you take will begin and end, every season will begin and end, and so will your time as a college student. The key to enjoying life and living a successful life is to shift your focus from the beginning and endings to the journey itself. Stay in the moment. Savor the good ones and don't shy away from the challenging ones. When Benny agreed to be a guinea pig for the first trial of miles I am certain that he and Tyler were fixated on the endpoint. But at some point during that trial I think they both came to the realization that there was enjoyment to be found even in the midst of that bare, simplistic and exhausting experience. When you are totally immersed in a situation how you experience each and every moment changes. Its like your mind's eye opens wide and you begin to see sides of things that reveal the true beauty and distinctiveness of your circumstances. This opens the door to knowledge and understanding that go beyond what can simply be talked about, that which must be experienced to comprehend. Expand your definition of 'normality', take time to really experience each moment. Whether you fear a beginning or get anxious for an ending, realize that they are inevitable and exceedingly brief, teach yourself instead to focus on the journey.
Friends this season has been a whirlwind, and a very enjoyable one at that. I want to thank each and every one of you for being part of this team and for working together to make it such a positive and encouraging place to be. I enjoy working with you and I hope that this experience continues to enrich your life!
