Ruby

Ruby was country ham and warm biscuits. She was fresh cut flowers and sweet corn. She was thick tomato sandwiches that you had to eat over the sink. She was crowded and loud kitchens that were filled with smiles and laughter. She was family, she was friends and she was faith.

I think that is the culture of the YMCA Branch named in her honor. A branch where everyone is welcome and everyone is treated like family. We celebrate the simple things in life which bring us so much joy. The Ruby, as we affectionately call the branch, has no hallways or walls. The open floor plan creates a constant hum of talking, balls bouncing, and treadmills running.

Kind of like her kitchen. All of this energy and activity grounded on a commitment to our faith and the charge to “Love Our Neighbors As Ourselves.”

Yesterday as I watched her wonderful family and how proud they are and how strong they are all trying to be, I thought about how the best gift that we can give to Ruby is to acknowledge that our hearts are breaking and to lean on each other and let our hearts break together. 

Then we need to get back into that kitchen and out in that garden and spend the rest of our lives sharing the peace, the love and the joy that she shared daily.

Next Time - A Note to Graduates

I recently had someone say, “Let’s have a windshield relationship, not a rear-view mirror relationship.” And that is my advice to every graduating high school senior.

When you think about it, CHANGE is one of the few constants in our lives. The reality of life is that we are in a constant state of flux and motion. From our first words spoken to the date where we glance out at the audience with diploma in hand, our lives have been an ebb and flow “Good-Bye” and “Hello.”

Good-Bye is often the first words taught to a child as they learn to waive at a parent going to work or a grand-parent leaving after a visit. But soon after, Hello became part of the new vocabulary. Thank goodness Hello often follows Good Bye. Good Bye Elementary School – Hello Middle School. Good Bye Middle School - Hello High School. Good Bye High School and Hello…Life.

This is where I think the wind shield metaphor resonates with me. If I could give the graduates some advice I would say this – Don’t use the words “If only.” “If only I would have studied harder. If only I would have asked her out. If only I would have listened to my parents. If only I would have said no to my friends.” When you get stuck into a world of “If Only,” that means you are stuck in the rear-view mirror. Then you allow for excuses and negativity to dictate your future success and failure.

Instead I would use the word “Next Time.” Next time I will study harder. Next time I will make sure I ask her out. Next time I will listen to my parents. Next time I will say no to my friends. Focusing on what to do next time is deciding to clear a path for a different future.

Every exit is also an entrance. You never walk out of one thing without walking into something else. You will walk away from high school saying goodbye to great friends, wonderful teachers and a special time in your life. But tomorrow awaits you, full of possibilities and hope. Hello future, next time is going to be awesome.

5 Things

When did I become the “OLD GUY” in the room? It wasn’t long ago that I was the young guy, but I blinked and suddenly I feel like I am one of the two old guys on the Muppet Show constantly making snarky comments.

A few weeks ago, a couple of us old guys were talking about the absence of Young YMCA Superstars. Don’t get me wrong, there are a few out there, just not as many knocking on the doors. As we compared notes, I came away with 5 Things That Young Super Stars have that Sets Them Apart.

1.       They Smile and Laugh: Work is fun to them and when they are at work, people gravitate to them because they give off such great energy.

2.       They Put Mission First: They know the mission of the Y and it matches clearly with their personal values. They take pride in helping people meet their goals and just making our community better.

3.       They Constantly Learn: I notice that in staff meetings, staff retreats, learning environments and at trainings, they take great notes and always return trying to implement something new and improved.

4.       They Build Trust: Trust is built by being accountable to everyone. Their work is completed on time, they are present at work and go beyond all expectations and they look for more responsibility.

5.       They Over Communicate: “It ain’t bragging if you back it up.” They are diligent about letting you know their successes and are not scared away from acknowledging failures.

If you are looking for the next leader or if you are wanting to be the next leader - I would take a look at these 5 Things.