Lovejoy High School Parents and Friends,
If you chase two rabbits, both will escape-Unknown
You ever felt like that? I've got a bit of that going on now. It is a great problem to have, but unless I clone myself by 4:00 pm this afternoon that “hare” may be off and running. Our Cross Country team is at the State Championships, our Football team is in the playoffs, the Volleyball team is in the Regional Semi-Finals and Finals and the Basketball teams are tipping off all within the next 24 hours in four different cities across Texas - the rabbits are out the gate. By 11:30 this morning I've already worn three different t-shirts just to be sure not to show favoritism of one group over another. I do love it though. It is a tremendous issue to have, being surrounded by awesome kids. But the essence of the quote really is not about the "being there". It is much deeper than that.
Margaret Mead once said, "What people say, what people do, and what people say they do are entirely different things."
The ability to show integrity in every aspect of our lives is challenging. I believe one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the gift of our authenticity. I was challenged in this very issue about a month ago when Brock and I were involved in a youth sport competition. As I coached the kids throughout the game it was one of those tight competitions that any one could have won. Time in the second half was ticking away and we had a penalty called on us. On the same play, the other team had a penalty called on them. Unfortunately the penalty on us was one that held more in regards to yardage and severity. So, our penalty trumped theirs (not the type of battle I like winning). Nonetheless, the ref marked off the penalty but he was not accurate in how many yards he should have marked against us. The next play was just about to move on and I must be honest, I thought "oh, what's five yards" - but I knew it. I had those googly little eyes watching from inside those helmets. I also knew that many of the parents were watching as well - each of them watching how I would respond. The devil of competitiveness did not win on this decision, so I let the ref know and we moved back five yards further. Now this story isn't shared for the glory of making the right decision; it is more for the guilt that I know that the same thoughts cross our minds everyday about the big things and the small ones that seem to be “no big deal”. But we must remember that little eyes see and little ears hear our every move, word and action.
As we near the season of giving and thanks, one of the greatest gifts we can give is the ability to be genuine and full of integrity by being the “real deal”.
By making the right decisions when nobody is watching the integrity and authenticity of a man is solidified. This world is full of too many rabbit chasers. Our kids deserve for us to be the mark of integrity for them, in things both big and small.
Did you know that when an animal trainer goes in to tame a lion, they bring in a stool? Do you know why? Myself, I would be sure to bring a stun gun, but the animal tamers bring a stool because when placed in front of the lion it focuses on all four legs of the stool at the same time and is paralyzed. It leaves the lion in a position where someone else controls their decisions for them.
If you catch yourself watching four ears hoping off in the distance, check yourself.
Remember "just five yards" may seem small to some, but miles for many.
Proud to be a Leopard.
Michael Goddard, Ed. D.
Principal- Lovejoy High School
Lovejoy Independent School District
(469) 742-8704
"There is no power on earth that can neutralize the influence of a high, simple and useful life."
~ Booker T. Washington
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