Life Influences: John Sivley

Mr. John Sivley (Coach Sivley) was my high school basketball coach at Ocala Christian Academy (OCA).  Coach Sivley always taught his basketball players about discipline, respect, and trust.  Focusing on those aspects, he led our OCA team to four consecutive Florida Christian Conference championships from 1986-1989.  I still have the trophies, plaques, and t-shirts from those years, but the most important memory is the godly example that Coach Sivley lived.  I remember the numerous trips to games in the school van where Coach Sivley took the time to provide practical applications of living a Christian life.

My very first post on this blog related to Coach Sivley, and reflected his coaching style in a business context. Click here to read the post.  After writing the MBA paper, I researched and located Coach Sivley in Alabama.  It had been nearly twenty years since we last spoke, but the memories were still there for both of us.  After the call, I mailed Coach Sivley a copy of my paper, and the articles I had found during research.  However, the phrase that resonates in my mind from my conversation with Coach Sivley is "you are the first player to call me".

That phrase still saddens me, but at least I know that in the few minutes that we spoke, I was able to convey to Coach Sivley that his example did make an impact.  This blog post is a tribute to his never-ending dedication to basketball players, his godly example, and his impact on my life.  Coach Sivley, thank you.

The six seniors and Coach Sively from our 1989 championship year. 

Life Influences: Sharon Lloyd

My memories of Mrs. Sharon Lloyd take me back to high school days at Ocala Christian Academy (OCA) when she was a guidance counselor and teacher.  We students often joked about how she always had perfect hair and makeup (as did her two daughters), but having a professional appearance was one of Mrs. Lloyd's signature trademarks.  Mrs. Lloyd had admirable attributes such as a calm demeanor, great listening skills, and a non-judging attitude.  These attributes blended perfectly with her role as a guidance counselor; and, when providing counseling to students, she was direct yet supportive, and always provided a godly perspective.

In July 2010, I had the privilege of visiting OCA (after nearly 20 years away), and stopped in to see if anyone from my high school days stilled worked there.  In reflection of her lifelong passion and skills, Mrs. Lloyd is still at OCA and currently functions as the school's elementary principal.  We had the opportunity to meet and share about life's events over the past 20 years.  It was great to know that she is still making a positive impact in student's lives today.

In recognition of her many years of service and to her impact on my life, I would like to dedicate this post to her and to convey my sincerest thanks for listening, sharing, and caring.  You did make a different in my life, and you continue to do so today in the lives of students at OCA.  Keep up the service, and always know that you are remembered.

July 2010 at OCA with Mrs. Sharon Lloyd.

Life Influences: Top 5 Persons

Over the last couple of weeks, I challenged myself to think about the top five persons who have had the greatest influence in my life.  In the next few weeks, I will share how these persons impacted my life.  Each person deserves a dedicated blog post, so I plan to write about them one at a time.  Most of the people are from my high school years at Ocala Christian Academy, one person was from the onset of my professional career at Kingdom, Inc., and one person was with me through most of my life.  The list below, in no particular order, represent those persons who have had the greatest influence in my life:

• Sharon Lloyd, high school guidance counselor and teacher
• John Sivley, high school basketball coach
• Butch Etheredge, high school football coach
• Dan Berguson, manager at Kingdom, Inc.
• Tom Smith, dad and best friend

Loving You

To my love:

I love you for who you are, not for who you used to be.  I love you now, just the way you are.  I love you with no strings attached, no preconceived expectations, and no demands...just simple, crazy love.  You are my world, my universe, and I would give anything to live my whole life over again with you.

Forever yours,
Michael

It's the Little Things That Matter

We often attempt to experience the big moments in life believing that those memories will be the ones that make a lasting imprint on our minds.  I believe we also need to enjoy the little moments...because it's the little things in life that matter.  So for just a few moments I encourage you to stop, take a breath, and reflect on the words below. Let your mind reminisce to that point in time where that little thing mattered.  It's okay to smile, laugh, or even cry as that little thing...that imprint on your memory evokes a wave of emotion.

Are you ready?  Remember...

• your first bicycle...and your first fall and the associated cuts and scrapes
• that cute little bee...that hurt you so badly when it stung
• your first kiss...and first break-up but still "remaining friends"
• your first car...and your first speeding ticket
• that touch from someone special...and losing that when they are gone 
• the birth of your first child...and the birth of your youngest
• your wedding day...and your first "disagreement"
• that gazing look from someone special...and that sharp look from them
• that superb career ladder...and the late nights away from family
• your best friend's laugh...and when you moved away from them
• that someone special...who is still that someone special

...and you thought the little things didn't matter. 

Man's Greatest Pain

Man's greatest pain is not his own, but rather the helplessness he experiences when a loved one is in pain.  For it is then that true pain is felt--that sense of futility, ineptness, and helplessness.  If only man could bear the pain for that loved one; but he cannot.  If only he could control or lessen the extent of that pain, however small, then that would be worth it all.  But sometimes man cannot lessen the pain, and can only watch and suffer in pain with the one he loves.  But that one action could be man's greatest gift to that loved one; for in that moment, he expresses love.

Life Happens

There are events in our lives that forever change our perspectives--your first love, going off to college, your first job, getting married, the birth of your first child, the death of a parent, and many other events that are unique to each individual. I experienced one such event earlier this summer--a work layoff--and although I had been on the "laying off" side of the table many times before, this was my first time on the "laid off" side of the table.

It is difficult to put into words the thoughts, emotions, and psychological effects of such an event. Frankly, I would be too embarrassed to convey how I truly felt, and even my wife probably does not understand how deeply this event "rocked my world"; but looking back on it all, I can honestly say that I am better off having experienced such an event.

Do not misunderstand me, I feel for those who have been laid off and are still looking for work after many, many months. I was fortunate to find work after only a couple of months off; but for me, the layoff and the events that followed (unemployment, job searching, financial struggles, etc.) taught me that life is short, work is just work, family is important, faith is everything, and that no matter how much you might plan for it...life happens.

For many, their perspective (right or wrong) is reality; yet sometimes perspective needs adjusted, and reality remains...well...just reality. For me, the events of this summer more closely aligned my perspective with reality. Reality is that someone else at work can replace us. Reality is that money is not everything and that family and faith are what brings true happiness. Reality is that in just three short years my oldest son leaves for college. Reality is that I am not getting any younger; and reality is...life happens.

So give yourself a reality check, adjust your perspective, and embrace that life will never be the same...only better.