My year as President of MSBO is coming to a close. On the Thursday of our annual conference at COBO in Detroit, Mike Adamczyk of Troy Schools will become our next President. It has been my pleasure to see a change of leadership from Tom White to Dave Martell, and to see Bob Dwan added to the MSBO staff. MSBO will flourish under the guidance of all three of these fine gentlemen.
When I started my tenure as President, I urged all of you to “Give a little bit” and to be passionate about the business of educating children. I still firmly believe that. But I also believe something more. I hope as individuals that you are also giving a little bit back to your community through either youth extra curricular activities, your church or synagogue, the Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis or other service groups, other organizations you are passionate about, but especially to your family.
In the past three years, I have learned a lesson. It is truly more blessed to give than receive. It sounds all so simple. And it is. For a life of meaning is a life of giving. Each of us has talents. Some play musical instruments, some enjoy reading to children, some have hobbies of embroidery or fishing, some like guiding young people, others like playing cards or board games.
Whatever your talents are, cherish them. But more importantly share them. Passionately. If you enjoy playing cards or board games, maybe a senior citizen center or VA hospital is the place for you to share your talents. If you enjoy young people, maybe you are fit to be a youth sports coach or a Boy or Girl Scout leader. If you are talented in music, perhaps your church would love to hear you play or maybe someday you will be able to perform at an MSBO annual conference. It could happen!
Sometimes the day to day of life wears us down. The budget cuts, the squabbles at home, the strain of paying the bills or watching our 403(b) investments diminish with the stock market, the routine of work, all of these can distract us from living life to its fullest. For me, the joy of giving refreshes me with a new sense of purpose and joy. Reach out and share your talents with someone less fortunate. And don’t forget to remind your family, with frequent hugs or the simple words “I love you,” what they mean to you.
Robin Williams is one of my favorite entertainers. Every time I see Mr. Williams on TV or in the movies, he brings such a heightened sense of energy. I know that Mr. Williams is not like that in real life. He is, after all, an actor. Actors often hide their own inner hurts and frustrations behind a façade. But Mr. Williams brings joy to so many with his slapstick comedy; fast talking monologues, and boundless energy.
One of my favorite movies is “The Dead Poet’s Society.” In that movie, Mr. Williams plays a high school teacher who is full of passion for life and in particular poetry and literature. His students who are not accustomed to such passion soon find it to be contagious.
In that movie, Mr. Williams repeats a famous literary saying that I hope will inspire you. The Dead Poets are right: Carpe Diem. Seize the day!
See you at the annual conference in Detroit!
P.S.
I just have to end on a musical note, you know:
“Jeremiah was a bullfrog
Was a good friend of mine
I never understood a single word he said
But I helped him a-drink his wine
And he always had some mighty fine wine
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me…”
- Three Dog Night