After the year that we’ve had, how do we move forward? In life, with ourselves, in relationships, with our families, our schools, our community, and our students. Many of us were at home 24/7 teaching, taking care of kids, running meetings, sharing spaces together, doing laundry, making meals, cleaning the house, Zooming, all at once it seemed. The days were endless and everything seemed to run together with no break and no end in sight. All day, all the time can be a lot for one person, one family, one school, one district, one community.  We all spent so much time together that it did one of two things it tested our relationship and those relationships either broke with no repair or regained knowledge to learn more about each other and really strengthen our relationship. Most us did not spend so much time with the people in our lives that required us to listen, learn, and support them 24/7. Doing this either caused a relationship divide or a new perspective of foundational buildi...

  As I was standing singing my heart out and a wave of emotion came over me. My eyes filled with tears. I am not a perfect man and I am sorry for the people I’ve hurt, the things I’ve said in anger, the shame that is in me for hurting others without thinking, the shame I feel when I don’t do things right or let things slide that I know are wrong, and the shame I feel for falling short, daily.  Then a voice whispered into my heart don’t be ashamed for who you are and what you do. Trust me. I got you. Always and forever. When you start to feel shame, pray in my name, and I will redeem you with My Grace and Love. You are loved.  So in that moment and every moment I fall from Grace and you do to, we will... Be unashamed of falling short in everything we do.  Be  unashamed of making  the incorrect choices daily.   Be  unashamed that we can’t do it on our own.   Be  unashamed that we are dependent on Jesus.   Be  unashamed of believi...

Everyday I get to get up and Go. My next day is not guaranteed. The only day I have is the one I’m in. Even then, the day I’m in, might not last the full 24 hours. The day I’m in is not mine. It has been provide for me to GO! 2020 has been an emotional one. For EVERYONE and still you went into the day not because it needed you but because someone needed you whether you knew it or not and maybe you will never know.  I struggled hard. Did you? I struggled some days to Go and show up. I found some days I was dazed and confused trying to put pieces together to support my family, my school family, and my community. Not sure how good I did but I do know that I did everything with Love.  I spent more moments in 2020 being hesitant, being reluctant, and being cautious when I know in my heart I should have gone, but I fought myself for fear of not having all the answers,  lack of trust in my ability with the unknown, and even being uncomfortable with not being in my comfort zone w...

  Why is it that when we start to find things difficult we hold back? Why is it that when we fault or struggle we hold back? Why is it that when we get injured we hold back? Why do we hold back in life so much? I’ll tell you why, it’s because we doubt ourselves. We doubt our capabilities. We doubt our potential. We doubt our heart and souls. We doubt what we can be and exceed. We hold back  because we are afraid of dusting ourselves off, healing our wounds, and standing tall because we are afraid that we might return right back to where we were at in the first place and that keeps us down. Stop holding back from where you can be and need to go. Holding back is crippling to your heart and soul. Holding back physically cripples you. Holding back keeps you from inspiring others and sharing your story of how you triumphed because you didn’t hold back.  I’ve held back for some time now because of my knee surgery. I’ve held back for some time now because of my Chiari malformati...

In the game of life give yourself chances to be creative and spontaneous without a plan.  Plans are great to keep you focused and headed in the right direction but give chance an opportunity when those plans start falling apart to get you to reevaluate your plans.  When things do not go our way we think of them as errors and even mistakes but in reality, they are actually chances, chances to rewrite your plans.  The chances are that this might be what you need to shake things up in your life. Many of the greatest things that happen in life are by chance and not with a plan. We are always told to plan and leave nothing to chance, but the fact is, chances will always sneak in and surprise us with something different and creative that we could not have planned for. The chances that we get from our plans falling through could be the opportunity you need to be creative and use our imagination. Plan for chances because it's guaranteed they will sneak into your plans.  Chan...

How many thank you's do you serve up a day? Not that it matters, but it does help people know that what they do is meaningful, important, and they are appreciated for it.  I was told one time that I thanked people to much and that I should not do it so often. What?!!!!!! I thank people too much? Is that even possible to thank people to much? No, no, no not in my book. You can never ever ever never thank people to much for what they do.  It’s how you say it not how often you say it that makes the impact. Saying thank you shows appreciation to those around you that do stuff for you and with you.  I can't say thank you enough some days because in every moment and situation I am thankful for the interactions to do things together or do things for others.  Saying thank you not only brings a smile to your face and others, but it helps strengthen relationships in doing things for each other with a happy heart.  I'd rather thank someone a 1,000 times than not acknowledg...

10, 9,... They said count backwards from 10. I didn’t make it past nine. Twelve hours later I opened my eyes (the whole thing took 16 hours). All was blurry, nothing was in focus. I felt heavy, I hurt, I was caged, I had trouble swallowing, and I felt different. Have you ever voluntarily put yourself in a situation where the outcome is not guaranteed, but if you don't, and stay where are at, you progress to being paralyzed or even run the risk of death if you do nothing? This is my story of a second chance at life after my brain surgery and a cost I was willing to take for me, my wife, and my future family (two beautiful amazing kids)! You have a story of a second chance as well with all you have been through.  Let the choices you make in a positive and impactful way cost you everything because the Cost to do nothing is far more expensive. You are worth the cost and so are those you serve around you that need you to make choices. Every day you are going to be presented ...