Kindle the Fire...

Last night, my daughter Breea was trying to choose an audition song for the church festival. I attempted to help her choose a song that she could actually sing well. However, she had a different path in mind...

Needless to say...after filming several videos of Breea singing an appropriate audition song (which she sang quite well, in my opinion), she decided to let all rules fall by the wayside. Was the song of Breea's preference appropriate for a church festival? No. But I could see the passion behind her singing, and that was somewhat shocking.

You can see Breea's passion in this inappropriate-for-church video:

Sometimes we all forget that there has to be a fire, a desire, or some sort of driving force for a child to succeed. It our job as parents to kindle the fire. Of course, with a little direction...

2012 Olympics: The Mental Games

You all know that Olympic athletes physically train at intense levels. Those muscles are incredible. Beautiful. If you haven't noticed...simply ask any man and he'll tell you all about the beach volleyball bodies.

What about the mental edge? You can't actually physically see mental strength or weakness. However, you can get a sense for it. There's something about the look in an athlete's eyes--determination, focus, intensity. You can't measure it. And it can change in a heartbeat.

When the pressure is on, mental focus can make or break an athlete. There were several recent Olympic scenarios in which athletes overcame the mental strain of unexpected losses and succeeded:

• Swimmer Michael Phelps narrowly qualified for the final round in his 2012 Olympic opening race. He also failed to medal in that race. But Phelps persevered and went on to win an individual silver, 2 individual gold, 2 relay gold, and 1 relay silver.
• 2011 world all-around champion gymnast Jordyn Wieber failed to qualify for the Olympic all-around finals. Yet she persevered and helped lead the U.S. team to gold. 
• Gymnast Gabby Douglas was the underdog, but pulled herself together and won the all-around gold. In my opinion, she became mentally exhausted (and possibly physically exhausted) from all the pressure, then struggled a bit in the event finals.
• The U.S. women’s soccer team earned several come-from-behind wins and in the end took the gold.

These athletes did not sink amid disappointment. Champions continue to fight. Most aim to replace a bad result with another good result. For example, if she loses one race, she focuses on winning the next.

No matter how good you are, you will always face mental obstacles and will always have room for improvement and greater success.

I’m a firm believer that success is always possible eventually… One word sums it up for me:  Believe.

Go, Mom, Go!

A youth hockey mom ran onto the ice and yelled at the refs for not stopping several fights (which had gone on for an excessive amount of time) last weekend. This episode occurred during a tournament game, so the players were likely appalled by the mom's actions.

You can view the video clip on Inside Edition here.

If I ran out on the ice, my boys would have been mortified. But...I have to admit that given the right circumstances, I would have done the same thing as the mom in the video. I will cross the humiliation line when it comes to protecting my children.

I will do whatever is necessary to keep my children safe. I will speak up and stop a parent from beating his child at a store. I will confront a teacher if I hear her berating a child in a classroom. I will immediately stop a child molester from touching a child inappropriately.

Is running onto the ice to stop a hockey fight any different from these scenarios? In my opinion, no. It is protecting children. Point blank.

Truth be told, I have stopped a parent from beating his child in a Target store. I have reprimanded a coach for inappropriate coaching during a game (I have only done this one time in 17 years, btw). I have even stood between an irate parent and a coach during a heated discussion in order to stop potential punches.

My children have all been embarrassed by my actions at one time or another. However, my actions are no different than enforcing bedtimes. There are just some things that are mandatory.

I beg you...protect your children.

Good and Bad Sportsmanship

Inside Edition featured a couple of videos which displayed good and bad sportsmanship. Check it out at:  GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP WINS OUT.

I find it amazing that some people get caught up in excitement in extreme ways. The young girl in the first video was about to place first in a huge race, yet she stopped to help an ailing competitor. The older girl in the second video pulled a pair of cleats right out of a young child's hands.

I think that older girl (more specifically 45 years old I believe) could use some counseling. She should certainly have the ability to control herself and not go gaga over a star football player.

In my opinion, sportsmanship comes down to a combination of personality, how a child is raised, and what a child has been taught. What do you think?

Role Reversal...

A daughter consoled her dad after a soccer game. Ironic, yet true. Once in awhile we all need to lighten up, and the following video is a good reminder: