Be A Good One

Sarah Burke was a 29 year old woman who fought to have women's freestyle skiing included in the Olympics -- and in the 2014 Sochi, Russia Olympic Games, they will be. Sarah was a world-class competitor and 4 time X-Games champion. Sarah changed the face of her sport, and contributed to changing history with the addition of freestyle skiing for women in the Olympics. Even so, Sarah will not be in the 2014 Olympics. Sarah died this past week, following a skiing accident in Utah.

One writer's blog included these words:

"As I look around and see others lives, Sarah’s death may not have been in vain but it really makes you think harder about your own life and about the contributions you are making to enhance our experience on earth. Many of us drink, watch sports or reality television, go shopping, eat, read the paper, sit on Facebook or just watch life happen without any significant impact. I suppose for some, that is the dream of life but it should not be. If your greatest daily accomplishment is renting RedBox or seeing how coherent you were in your drunk texts, it is time to reevaluate." - RecruiterPoet.com

Joseph Vincent Paterno is a legend in college football. He won 409 games, the most of anyone in major college football history. He spent 61 seasons coaching football at Penn State. The story is told that when Joe (who was on a career path to be a lawyer) called home and told his dad he was going to go into coaching, his father told him, "You better have an impact."

The world is full of stories of lives that were impacted because they crossed paths with Joe Paterno. One of my friends who played football for Joe wrote this today about his coach:

"I first met Joe Paterno in January of 1988. I was an 18 year old high school senior with a surgically repaired knee. I was on the only recruiting visit I would ever take. All the other universities that I was supposed to visit cancelled on me because of my knee.

Joe and Penn State had every right to also. But he didn't! He had already offered me a scholarship, legally he owed me nothing. But Joe had given his word, and with him that is all you needed. To this day the fact that he gave me the opportunity is amazing to me. Especially with all the selfishness and greed we see in sports and the world today. While there has been a lot of bad things said about him lately, the way he led his life as a whole should be is an example to all. If we had more people in the world like him, we would all be much better off.

While my football career did not turn out the way I wanted it to, I am forever grateful to Joe for the chance. Luckily about 15 years ago I wrote him a letter to thank him for what he had done for me in giving me a chance. I told him I was thankful for the chance he gave me, and that even though football did not work out, I was able to get a great education and learn life lessons that have made me a better person. While I was not a success on the field, my years at Penn State helped me be a success in life."

Sarah Burke and Joe Paterno entered into the next part of eternity having made an impact on the world they left behind.

My life lesson this week? Whatever you do - make an impact.

My husband and I watched the movie Courageous this weekend. I think every so often we all need a kick in the butt to move us across the line of mediocrity, or wherever we may have settled. Courageous, Sarah and Joe all kicked me in the butt this week.

Do you need a kick in the butt too? Here it is: Get off the couch, stop watching reality TV, stop wishing your kids would leave you alone, stop waiting for things to change, stop living in your own head. Stop making excuses for why your life isn't the way you want it to be.

Don't settle for mediocrity. Not in your home, not in your work. Work with passion, work with your whole heart. It is a privilege. Stop finding other things to do to avoid doing the things you need to do. Love those around you unconditionally.

Don't blame the church, your parents, your spouse, or your lack of spouse for why you haven't addressed your relationship with God. It isn't anyone else's fault.

Nothing in your current situation needs to change at all in order for you to be different. Make up your mind to be different.

Sarah Burke was different. Joe Paterno was different. You only get one chance at this physical world. Then you enter into the spiritual part of forever.

What will be said about you, by those left behind and by the God you will stand before, on the day of your passing?

Abraham Lincoln was quoted as saying, "Whatever you are, be a good one."

Have a different week.

~ Peace.