By the age of 43, I have known life like very few people know life. True adversity and tragedy in life can come in many forms. For me, it came in the forms of cancer that claimed my wife, murder, accidental death, and a single car accident that almost killed my family, suicides and dreams unrealized. Most of which occurred over a seven year time span. Adversity or tragedy can break you, define you and make you bitter or better. The power of that choice is yours and yours alone.
Our influences come from how and where we spend our time. My influences came in the form of my Christian faith, family, friends and media. The unique power and grace embedded within my Christian Faith has afforded me a unique perspective on life. Part of that perspective comes in the realization that God’s presence and message has always been timely poignant through his word and people in my life. Another aspect of my perspective is that our life is made up of daily habits and relationships. The influences we choose in our faith, media and relationships can either empower us or bring us down.
I was blessed to have grown up an ‘Army Brat’. Our family’s average stay at one station was 18 months. Only those of us who have served, been a military dependent or a loved one of either can fully relate to a life of sacrifice, belief in something bigger than oneself, understanding the significance of personal conduct, respect, compassion, empathy, adaptability and team.
Louisiana State University is home to me. I earned both my college degrees, met the woman who became my wife and the mother of my children, walked on the football team and began my career there. I love purple and live gold.
I am unsure if a person chooses their life’s passion or that passion chooses them. Through the transient life of an Army Dependent I was able to find purpose and passion in athletics, specifically football. I am one of the fortunate few that found a career in my passion, coaching football. Coaching football is about relationships. Its primary charge is being a positive influence in the lives of people. Coaching is teaching and teaching is educating. An education is a change in behavior. It involves the life changing applications of a positive attitude, work ethic / effort, commitment, discipline, process, teamwork and mental toughness / resiliency.
Silver Linings are an empowering state of mind, heart and soul. Silver Linings denote an individual’s ability to be a lifetime learner. Part of being a lifetime learner is the ability to identify and apply positive lessons from the good, the bad and the ugly in any situation. There is a humility that comes with this mind set, because it begins with the acknowledgement that we don’t know everything. Moreover, an attitude of being a lifetime learner and finding silver linings means never losing a sense of wonder in appreciating all that life has to offer. This attitude is a testament to an individual’s character. It is my wife’s mantra and she is my Silver Lining.
I am a Son and a Brother
A Christian
A Proud Army Brat
A Widower and Re – Married
A Husband
A Father
A Ball Coach
Always A Tiger
Perspective and Silver Linings 