I offer my final thoughts today on this series; while fully concluding Friday with none other than my brother.

In a recent conversation, I was encouraging someone who was off the rails with the input of well-meaning family and friends. Sigh.  This can be one of the toughest arenas of all, can’t it? These individuals know us well, therefore often feel a freedom to give input where perhaps it hasn’t always been solicited; making you feel like you’re in the “suicide squeeze” position in baseball.  One of the things so relevant to this particular play, is that it often involves the giving of one’s self so that others can advance.  Think on that one for a moment, in light of our series.  Again, there are few finer in the history of the game, than Jackie Robinson. At the same time, what a beautiful picture of his legacy.  Friday, Tim will expound more, and I hope we will all pause to think again.

Whenever you undertake something new, different, or out of the main stream, you will experience opposition.  It matters not what that particular “something” is. It may cost you dearly to take the road less traveled; but in the end, the reward may outshine any other.  None of us relish being in the position of dealing with an opponent, when it involves beliefs, changing systems, or standing firm.  It’s sad that within our society, there are countless opportunities daily to die on hills that really don’t matter.  Social media has created a stage where people can “speak their mind” without having to practice the discipline of following through, articulating well, and practicing the give and take of respect and healthy compromise.

I want to be a person who communicates with conviction, care, concern, and empathy for others.  I don’t have to always agree in order to do what is right.  And doing what is right, is…well, always right.  I am human, therefore I will make mistakes.  But in doing so, it is also my hope that I learn from them and am willing to admit them; asking for forgiveness when necessary.

I don’t always have to have the last word.  This is something I am consistently working on.  It is honestly okay to allow others to “be wrong” without weighing in.  For in giving that freedom, I am noticing that the margin it creates, allows me the opportunity to evaluate where I need to change; because possibly the individual who is “wrong” is me.

I’ve told you many times here on TommyMom, that my personal involvement in the sports arena, has been as a spectator or a mom providing transportation!  Trust me when I say, I was consistently chosen last for any and all team play.

As the summer season begins, like a fresh clean page full of promise and potential; I was deeply moved by the lessons I learned in reviewing the life of someone who gave all.  Regardless of whether or not I could relate to the venue, the life of Jackie Robinson resonated deeply, on both a physical and spiritual level as a human being.

He not only played the game with excellence, he consistently demonstrated vision and the belief in humanity to exercise change.  Discouragement, well-meaning family and friends, and even those who hated, did not serve to deter him from playing a game he loved with everything he had.  That’s conviction.  And clearly, it is the catalyst for bringing about a legacy that can’t ever be dimmed.

I aspire to this greatness.  Do you?

I want to take a turn, albeit a relevant one, here for today; and highlight the Hero Hubby. ( Die-hard Dodger Fan since the age of 5.)

During 42, I leaned over to him and whispered, “Whether in Brooklyn or Los Angeles, this has to make you even more proud of the Dodgers.”  He smiled, and responded with one word: “Absolutely!”

My husband understands a sense of Community almost better than anyone I personally know.  He ignores societal and social barriers, and I have never witnessed him being a respecter of persons in an inappropriate or self-serving manner.  He treats everyone the same.

He has served tirelessly within our community over the years, whether with children or adults.

He particularly loves youth; wanting them to know that they matter, can achieve greatness no matter what the odds, and that he is someone who will always believe in them.

One year in particular, within our church’s community kids club, he decided to offer an opportunity of a lifetime.

He announced to the 3-5 graders, that if they finished their workbooks, which involved scripture memorization, community service and practical knowledge; he would take them into Los Angeles to a Dodger game.

I have never before, or since, personally witnessed such an excitement and frenzy!

One girl, notorious for never finishing; was doing 11-14 sections per evening.  While hard to understand within reference, trust me when I say, this was beyond difficult!

From a broken home, and showing little promise; she couldn’t believe the opportunity that was being presented.

So many of those kids had never been invited to, or given the opportunity to attend a major league baseball game.

Two weeks prior to the anticipated day, the Los Angeles riots occurred, making nationwide news!

Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles phoned our house; all wanting an answer to the same question.  “Are you going to make good on this promise?”

I could’ve saved every one of them the effort.

“My word is my bond, and a promise is a promise.”

That bright, sunny day in Los Angeles, California, a tired, old bus, chock full with 56 kids and a few chaperones, pulled into Dodger stadium.

We sat with countless troops from Operation Desert Storm seated amongst us; commissioned by the City of Los Angeles to be present for safety purposes.

Those kids paid no attention.

Rather, they were listening with rapt attention to Vin Scully, an organ blaring, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the 7th inning stretch, and a man focused on keeping his word.

In fact, to this day, there are many who can recollect every moment with astounding clarity.  For some, it is the only professional baseball game experience they have ever had.

I believe that bells and whistles aren’t reserved for a few.  Rather, extraordinary experiences are created by ordinary, faithful people. That will never have anything to do with a curriculum written on paper and bound in workbook or textbook form.

Your influence, regardless of how broad or narrow, matters to humanity.

And the legacy you leave, is based on faith, consistency, and doing what is right no matter what the circumstance.

How are you doing where it matters most?

I have talked about qualified mentors being an integral piece in the pursuit of excellence in leadership.

Is every mentor we have in life a “qualified” individual?  Most certainly not. However, it is my belief that they all serve a very important purpose in shaping our lives for the good.

I am often asked, not only how home education “looks”, but also how Leadership Education works.  I could spend several days responding to both; for each home is varied in its approach.

I firmly believe that Leadership Education exists in both the public and private sectors, but for our family; we decided it would executed in an optimal fashion within our home.

Immediately, there are those who are prejudice.  Pre-conceived notions, stereotypes, and “a weirdo they personally knew in 1994″ all play in to responses.

Guess what?  There are “weirdos” everywhere, and I am convinced that we all prejudge and respond poorly to something. Moving on…

For the rest of today’s visit, I’m going to give you a small but typical glimpse into our educational style.

Let me begin by stating that for us, life is school.

You are the owner of your educational experience, and it is my job to provide inspiration, materials and supplies needed; coupled with sources of information, to help you achieve the best experience possible.

Please allow me to be perfectly clear:  I educate no one but myself.  I can only be an example and hopefully, inspiration for others.

Another factor involves passion.  I try to tap into it and work with it as much as is humanely possible.  Oh, and I milk it, too!  An unashamed confession there on my part.

The youngest individual pursuing said educational experience in our home, is 11.

He has slowly, but surely, become rabid about baseball.  I mean, he is all-out-committed!

My dad is quite pleased with this development.

The Jackie Robinson story has served to fuel not only a greater passion, but has been the foundation for many discussions.

More on that later.

Son #5, is particularly fond of the Mariners.  Being from Seattle, this pleases his mother.  His father is extremely supportive, but has been a Dodger fan since the age of 5.

More to come later on that as well.

His father, however, is committed to leading with virtue and excellence, and capitalizing on passion right along with me.  Love, love, love that man and the support and guidance he gives!

Recently, he took Sons #4 and #5, along with my father, to the Phoenix area to attend the Mariners Spring Training.

#5 was in heaven, #4 was doubtful about going, and reminded everyone that ‘baseball for him, really wasn’t a passion.”

#5 couldn’t have disagreed more, but he was too speechless to engage.

Here are my points for today, when both evaluating as well as measuring how I am doing:

When we talk about socialization, in order for it be accurate and real life; it is not exclusive to an age or peer group.  As an adult, I am called to speak intelligently and effectively with every age group, all walks of life, and a diverse group of people within the society in which we live.  For me, socialization means making certain that my children are equipped with the skill sets to do the same.  Therefore, I surround them with opportunities to do just that.  Speak and interact with all ages!

I love that my dad is an available mentor to my kids.  Age has a wisdom regarding life that simply can’t be duplicated elsewhere.  And youth, keeps age engaged and challenged.

Whether or not you are completely, 100% interested in the passions of others, you can still be present.  This is another point I want all of my children to own.  As seen above by the presence of #4, so far so good!

Life isn’t lived in a specific classroom, governed by specific schedules and time constraints and a bell.  Rather, it is lived in millions of moments, that when added up; if lived well, count for a legacy of significance.

That, dear friends, isn’t something that money can buy, nor is it defined by a specific curriculum.

Summer brings its own forms of change, coupled with introspection.

The schedule is more relaxed for most; offering time to reflect and evaluate.

That class you didn’t do well in?  What went wrong?

Things you can change?  Ways to better apply yourself for the fall season? Different directions and emphases you should consider?

In the home education world, summer can involve curriculum; complete with previews, evaluations and ultimately, choices.

Regardless of your personal methodologies and educational preferences in this life; it is easy for all of us to get derailed through the venues of comparison, over-analyzing, and doubt.

I have found it best, to stick to my basic foundational principles and objectives when seriously evaluating anything new.  This also goes for considering change.

Counting the cost is something that often, in this day and age, gets lost in the shuffle of preparation, anticipation and execution.

Staying the course, once things get tough, can be even more challenging.

For me, writing and asking questions at the end of each piece, is helpful when examining my own progress and performance.

I hope it benefits you as well.

In 42, one of the best performances was on the part of Harrison Ford.

Portraying Branch Rickey, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, he was an enigma right along with Jackie Robinson.

The man’s vision, character, integrity and moxie, coupled with bravery; fascinated and inspired me, and reminded me to ask myself these important questions:

To whom do I look for advice, inspiration, and direction?  To what am I listening to, in regards to the life I desire to lead?

If you aren’t familiar with the life of Branch Rickey, I challenge you to educate yourself, even if on a minimal level.  I promise you will be enriched.

He was an incredible example of what it means to be a successful mentor.

He was humble.  He could take the heat.  He possessed and inspired vision.

He was a wealth of knowledge and personal life experience in each of the above traits.

He walked the walk and handled threats, stress, pressure and prejudice with integrity.

When things got tough, he knew how to ask the right questions and say the right things so that Jackie not only didn’t quit, but moved ahead as a conqueror in their war against prejudice.

In the end, despite going their separate ways physically where the team was concerned, they remained close for life.

Who mentors you?

This is an important question, for you will become what you listen to.

Do you mentor anyone?  If so, how are you doing?

Do you ask engaging and challenging questions?  Can you speak into the lives of others well; knowing what to say when, and how to say it well?

Do you listen to peer pressure or follow conviction regardless of the social climate?

These, and more, are questions we are asking in this new season.

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” ~ Socrates

Summer stretches before us, full of possibilities and opportunities! Anything you are looking to tweak, alter, or flat out change; before fall comes rushing in with responsibilities and action packed schedules?

Me?

I’ve been actively involved in the changing of many things for quite awhile. It is always a process, certainly a journey, and never goes exactly as planned!

And that’s okay. For with the journey come opportunities to evaluate both personal progress and methods; which always opens up the possibility of further change!

What about you? Anything offering itself on your horizon?

Hopefully, our energy is in the right place!

Happy, Happy Soon-to-be-Summer!

In many parts of the country, those who home educate are in the throes of choosing their curriculum for next year.

“Being TommyMom” has afforded me many awesome opportunities and blessings; not the least of which was being asked to contribute to a book.

For a limited time, that book in the e-version is only 99 cents!

If you click here, and scroll down to the sponsors and affiliates section (clicking on the first box upper left with the graphic below in it), and you will be directed to a site that allows you to benefit from this excellent offer.

Whether you educate at home, or at a private or public school; you may want to check it out, if you love to read what other people are doing, and enjoy considering different approaches to a common end result.

Happy Monday!