I am someone who has come to enjoy the simple things in life. My resume chronicles what I did along my journey “From The Gardens to Marana.” I was fortunate to accomplish a few things and had the pleasure of being in the company of some outstanding people. But sharing who I am takes on another dimension.
We are the total of our experiences. My life’s journey has taken me to many places, seen a few things, and learned invaluable lessons that only living life can offer. The awakening of who I became and what I liked and disliked took time to develop and more time to appreciate. Communication is vital, and understanding is one of the best things in life. However, my journey opened doors to a world of opportunity and windows to my soul, allowing me to experience discovery and pursue self-actualization. I discovered that little things mean a lot, that there is beauty in all things, and that we hear it in different voices.
From my experiences as an athlete and an educator, I discovered life is a complex balancing act that becomes manageable when broken down into smaller parts. The guardrails that benefitted me during my journey were using the fundamentals of values and principles taught to me at an early age. I discovered that the road to success is paved with good intentions; winners never quit, and quitters never win. Effort should be given to developing the mind, body, and spirit; when self-confident, trust your decisions. When you put in the work, all things are possible. The only person who can stop you is you. And that cheese and whining go hand in hand. I realized that there will be trouble everywhere until the color of one’s skin becomes no more significant than the color of one’s eyes.
A few things I learned that helped define who I am are that all children can learn, knowledge is power, and action speaks louder than words. I learned never to say “everybody” or “always.” To trust but verify, and all that glitters is not gold. I learned to treat people with respect and to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I learned that our elders are wise, and you get back up when knocked down. I learned to cherish friendships and love the one you’re with. I want to live with no regrets, say please and thank you, cover my mouth when I cough, and keep my hands to myself. I learned that he or she is now him or her. That “they said” is a myth, and “we’ll see” and “you never know” have a life of their own. The crude and the vulgar have a place at the table, and scanning the QR code is part of the lexicon.
I learned that staying in your lane is not just about driving a car. I realized that procrastination can kill your dreams, that risk has rewards, and that our potential is limitless.
I learned that social media has replaced social interaction, that you should be aware of the pat on the back, and that people smile in your face.
I learned that grief is real, things change, laughter is good, you can’t run away from yourself, and people are more alike than different. The power of positive thinking makes dreams possible, and God is good. God is great. This is what I learned and what I have shared.
Where I find enjoyment is the sound of the ocean and the sound of music. From hip-hop to Bebop, classical to rock, from Sitting on the Dock of the Bay to Get Up and Stand Up for Your Rights. From Coltrane’s “My Favorite Things” to Lee Morgan’s “Search for the New Land” and Miles’s “All Blues.” From the group “Weather Report” to Jimi Hendrix “All Along the Watch Tower.” I love music.
I studied the principles of organizational management, which, combined with the concepts and understanding of social behavior, enabled me to implement those methods in teaching and training students in leadership development, critical thinking, problem-solving, coaching team sports, and supervising work teams. I gained a great deal of satisfaction from working with students from K-12 to Plus 12.
I like to think that, with gratitude and the grace of God, I did my best to return the knowledge I gained from my experiences in training those I encountered.