Greg Louganis is one of the most decorated Olympic divers in U.S. history. Every time he dives into the water, his impact sends out waves (ripples) of energy that carry onward. This same principle applies to life. He's had an immensely successful career and life. Yet, through all this international success, he has carried one mantra with him that his mother instilled in him...
"Make everywhere you go better because you were there."
This is how he measures his success. I admire him and try to emulate that in my daily life. I'd like you to share one time when you feel you had a positive impact on your surroundings (the people or the environment) AND one time when you didn't have as positive an impact as you could have had.
Choose something meaningful (I picked up a bottle at the beach isn't quite what we're looking for -- although I definitely admire it!). Be honest with yourself. Since your responses might be somewhat personal, email your responses to me -- you needn't put them on the blog. As you go out into the broader community and world during our Spring Break, bear in mind Louganis's words. Leave the world better for you having been here.
I'll start us off....I try to be a good neighbor by being friendly and helpful. Sometimes, it's just deliberately making eye contact and giving a smile, which helps add a sense of community and goodwill to our neighborhood because others respond in kind.
Recently while teaching, some middle school students were making noise outside. I made a snide/sacrastic comment about it, which was unnecessary and I regretted because of the example it set to my students in the class. It was a small moment but sometimes those small moments (good ones or bad ones) are the ones that have a lasting impact. I was bummed about my reaction aftterwards, but I'll try better next time.
Have a wonderful and well-deserved break! :) Mr. R
