Something You Can Hang Your Hat On-What Happened To That Man In The Mirror?
Today marks a milestone birthday for me. I don’t want to give the actual number utterance, so I’ll just say that there are now far fewer tee times ahead of me than behind. 😉
Anyway, this popped up on my Facebook Timeline yesterday. I originally wrote this three years ago, on the eve of my birthday. Surprisingly, my ramblings still hold up in terms of my beliefs not changing, however I have added some addendums today
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-YOU HAVE TO PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH. One of the things I do to give back to the broadcasting business that has given so much to me is I teach. And I tell my students ALL the time that you can’t just “write it in.” Each day you have to wake up and make it your goal to be better than you were the day before. No one gives you anything in this business. If we get beat on-air because someone is funnier or more talented, we can live with that because they can’t say they out-worked or were better prepared than us. I can’t wait for that blinking cursor tomorrow morning and the thought, “What are we gonna do today?”
>>I no longer teach (10 years of giving back was enough <g>), but I still believe and abide in this principal. No matter what you do in life, as long as you never “write it in,” you will be successful far more often than not.
-YOUR CHILD’S SUCCESSES AND FAILURES ARE FAR MORE EMOTIONALLY WRENCHING FOR US THAN THEM. My son is a golfer. For those that play the game you know that: a. It’s a fickle mistress-the same swing that shot 72 one day will shoot 82 the next and b. There’s no one to blame-good or bad-but yourself. Whether I’m caddying or just watching, I find myself living and dying for him on every shot. It’ll probably kill me one day. However, whether he’s on a hot streak or cold as ice on the course, I hope he knows how much I enjoy watching and more important, how proud I am of the guy who swings the sticks, regardless.
>>Gosh, I love that boy. I’m loving the man he’s becoming, more. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next chapter in his life will look like as he begins at Coastal Carolina and their PGM Program next fall. Until then, there are still plenty of golf battles to wage.
-BEING 15 IS STILL HARD. This year, our son transitioned not just to high school, but from private to public school with all new people and really not knowing a soul. It was the right move to make and I’d do it again tomorrow, but it has not been without its challenges and issues-some of which reminded me of a 15-year-old I used to know (and unfortunately, a lot of you did too!)
>>Thank God we survived this! He has really grown and thrived in high school. He’s had big wins, major defeats, made good friends and been a good friend to others, found love, had his heart broken, and most importantly has had a good time through it all. I know I’m not ready for him to go.
-TIME IS A PRECIOUS COMMODITY. Nothing teaches you this like having children. They’re born and you never imagine how SOON it really is before you’re contemplating colleges and their leaving home.
>>Let me change a word here…time is a PRICELESS commodity. Since this was written I’ve started to experience things in life that are inevitable with age. I’ve had friends die unexpectedly. I’ve had parents of friends (who I feel helped raise me) feel the ravages of time and in some cases, pass away too soon as well. None of us is promised tomorrow, so don’t let the sun set that all you know and love know how you feel about them.
-I WISH I WAS A BETTER SON. My parents left their family in Charlotte in the mid 1960s for Houston. Growing up, we were as close a family as I could imagine. They always allowed me to chase my dreams. Unfortunately, those dreams have taken me away from Texas (and them) now for longer than I lived there. I never wanted to repeat that pattern (ironically, I’ve brought the family BACK to Charlotte for almost 11 years now). I feel I haven’t been there when I should have been, and I know I’ve deprived my son-and them-of a more fulfilling relationship just because of time and distance. Damn, there’s that time thing again.
>>Of the crosses I bear for the choices I’ve made in life, this is the most haunting. And “I’m sorry” just doesn’t seem to cover it, although Mom and Dad would scoff at this entire notion
-LOYALTY IS INVALUABLE. This is a trait I value almost above all others. Knowing people have your back, and you have theirs, makes failures more tolerable (although never easy or accepted), and makes victories and successes so much sweeter. I may fall down on some things, but anyone who has been in a figurative “foxhole” with me has never regretted it…nor I, them. This year has been one where, on a professional level, mutual loyalty has been very rewarding. To those I work with, I love you guys…you’re the best in the business and even better people. On a personal level, loyalties have been unfortunately tested at times, but to find out how deep our bonds go has been a real blessing. We all need friends in life, I’ve been lucky enough to find “brothers” and “sisters.”
>>This will never change. And if possible, I feel even MORE connected to my professional brothers and sisters than ever. We may have our spats (all families do), but we’ve been through so much together (and come out the other side), that our bond is unbreakable. On a personal level…well, you all know how much you mean to me. Family you choose is every bit as important as family you’re born into.
-LIFE IS TRULY VARYING SHADES OF GREY. No, not referring to “mommy porn.” 😉 2016 will be remembered for the highly contentious Presidential election we all lived through. I was, and am still, STUNNED by how many people take a vote (on either side) to be an ABSOLUTE endorsement of every thing that candidate has ever said and done. For example, a vote for Trump does not mean you are a misogynist; and a vote for Hillary does not mean that you’re corrupt. Perhaps your vote was one that was against the other candidate rather than for one. I thought this was an obvious thought to have, apparently I was wrong. The good news is I believe in people. I think in the end we all want the greater good for us all. In the words of Winston Churchill, “The United States usually does the right thing…after all else has been exhausted.” Which leads me to…
>>I fear I may never see the divides in our country bridged again in my lifetime. And with another election cycle ahead, it’s just going to get worse. The great irony, of course, is that if you take the time to talk and LISTEN to those who you perceive to be so different, you’ll find you have far more in common than you’d believe.
-WORDS HURT. I have, fortunately/unfortunately had to learn this the hard way from being on the radio for 26 years. In the wake of the election, I have seen friends say things to one another that are unfathomable. And I’m not talking about social media “friends,” no…I’m talking about the real thing-people who have known and cared about one another for decades. There are two things I know about this: 1. There will come a day when you will wish you had never said these things and will do anything to take them back AND 2. You can’t. All you can do is hope that those you’ve disparaged will forgive you. Chances are they will never forget what you’ve said, but to be allowed a chance at redemption is all one can ask for. As someone whose words have unintentionally hurt people in the past, I implore you to ask for and/or grant forgiveness. No one has ever felt bad about giving or receiving a fresh start-especially among friends. And one last thought along these lines.
>>Words also heal. Don’t forget that.
-REMEMBER THAT LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL. There has been more than one occasion in the last couple of months that I’ve thought, “How can I be friends with someone who says or does these things? Why don’t I just take the easy road and walk away?” The answer? Well, it’s because I love that person. I know their heart is good. I know they are hurting. And I know that sometimes we all need to see one another thru the pain.
>>I really try to adhere to this. However, on one occasion since this was written I had to part ways with someone who I’ve known my entire life. She was/is like a sister to me. We grew up together and I will love her (and the memory of who she was) forever. However, her toxicity was something that I could not overcome or look past anymore. Sometimes, for the health and well-being of you and your family, you have to make some hard calls. This was one. I hope that one day, we can come together again.
-MY WIFE IS BETTER THAN YOURS. Sorry, I’m biased, but I’m right. With each passing year, month, week, day, hour, minute, second…I realize how far I’ve out-kicked my coverage. Not only is she an UNREAL mom, but (and you might find this hard to believe <g>) I am not and easy live with, yet she stays.
>>Of all the things I wrote here three years ago, this is the one that makes me smile most. This is the one that, if possible, is truer now than ever before. This is the one that I’m still the MOST right about
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And that’s something you can hang your hat on.
