Well Worth Sharing

Back in January I received the following email:

“Hi Randy,
Greetings from the Windy City. 
By brief way of introduction, I have been an outspoken advocate for father involvement the past 26 years. I also lead the Special Fathers Network (a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs) and host the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast, with nearly 300 weekly episodes. 
We’re looking to expand our network into your area. Would you please help put me in contact with a local dad(s), who may be willing to share his story on the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast?
Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.”

I did put him in contact with a local Dad whose thoughts were so meaningful I decided it was important to share them with you. When you have a little time on your hands, I hope you choose to listen to this two-part podcast and that like I have, you will find it well worth listening to.

My thanks to Keith Harris and David Hirsch for sharing their thoughts and stories. My thanks to all of our Special Olympics Dads, who too, always seem to look for the good.

There are different ways to listen to the podcast episodes. Listen to Part 1 here and listen to Part 2 here. Once you click the link, click the yellow play button at the top of the webpage to listen to each episode. You can also listen to the Part 1 and Part 2 podcast episodes on the Apple Podcasts app. Once you are in the Apple Podcasts app, search for Dad to Dad Podcast, click on the Dad to Dad Podcast show, and listen to the March 15 episode followed by the March 22 episode.

Connection

At last weekend’s State Poly Hockey Championships, Special Olympics New Mexico and New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run sold a combined $13,000 worth of water bottles, coffee mugs, t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, flannel shirts, tumblers, plush LETR k-9’s and Torch Run challenge coins. I have to thank those on staff who are in charge of our merchandise for “stepping up our game” in regards to style, color, design and variety. We are selling a lot of cool stuff, and here’s why that matters.

Anything with the Special Olympics logo or Torch Run logo communicates to anyone who sees them not only what we do, but who we are. These two logos represent our athletes, our values as an organization, and the spirit of Sport that uniquely embodies Special Olympics and all who walk onto our playing fields. The merchandise we own and wear speaks to our loyalty and emotional connection to those three things.

I’m thrilled that we raised $13,000, but what I love even more is the fact that our Special Olympics and Torch Run logos are being seen everywhere across New Mexico. They draw attention, spark conversation, and hopefully, they invite others to join us.

Our Girls

A few years ago, Special Olympics Inc. chose “Be a Fan” as our organization’s marketing and advertising campaign. The theme included things like: Be a Fan of Courage. Be a Fan of Dignity. Be a Fan of Confidence. Be a Fan of Fun. And most importantly: Be a Fan of Special Olympics.

As I sat and watched our Area 5 Poly Hockey Competition this past Saturday, that theme popped into my head as I zeroed in on our female athletes. 

When you have a hockey stick in your hands, regardless of your gender, it’s inevitable: Skill, courage, agility, stamina, and aggression all show up. Throughout the day, I watched our girls not only take some pretty hard hits, but give them right back to their male counterparts. These girls don’t back down.

To every one of our female athletes who have walked onto our playing fields, gymnasiums, swimming pools, equestrian arenas, and hockey rinks to make your presence known, my Thoughts today are for you. I have always been a Fan of yours, because like myself, you are a Fan of Sport, and that speaks well about who you are. 

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Just One

Having never been successful at New Year’s Resolutions, yet feeling like a new year warrants reflection and aspirations, I decided to once again ask my staff and SONM Board of Directors to choose a word that will help bring self awareness to their work and personal lives in 2024. 

There are many one word challenges out there, and when you read about why they are effective, as simple as it sounds, one word over the course of a year is easier to focus on than an entire list of what we hope to accomplish. One word can quickly bring clarity to reality. One word can give depth and meaning to someone’s story. One word can spark change that could truly impact our life. One word is easy to connect to.

My one word for 2024 is purposeful. This year as I seek God’s direction, as I make small and big decisions, and as I set goals based on what I value most, I have made the commitment to be purposeful.

And you? Any interest in choosing one word? I am interested to hear what your word is and why you chose it.

Happy New Year, everyone.

“Have a ______ Holiday”

This time of year, we all have a lot of running around to do. We get busier running errands as the holiday season adds more to everyone’s lists and daily life. When checking out or leaving a store, you have probably heard or said, “Have a nice Holiday.” As I’ve been out and about lately looking closely at people’s faces and listening to the tone of people’s voices, I decided it is time to change my NICE Holiday to a KIND Holiday.

Thankfully, there are still a lot of nice people in our world. Nice is when we smile at a stranger and politely say “Good morning.” Nice is when we motion the driver of another car to go ahead of us. Nice is when we hold the door open for someone behind us. Nice is when we thank the mail carrier, UPS, or Amazon driver for delivering our package. Nice is nice, but KIND on the other hand is more caring and more needed.

Being kind can make an immediate difference and can have a lasting impact. I hope that each person reading this has a treasured memory of someone who showed kindness to them. Here are a couple of my own memories of people showing me kindness: I remember being invited to dinner by a family who themselves had very little to eat. I have never been so thankful for a meal. I remember as a young girl being at a friend’s house for my first sleepover and waking up in tears wanting to be in my own house. My friend’s dad drove me home in the middle of the night. Those two acts of kindness were something they didn’t have to do but chose to do. What they did was selfless and connected me a little deeper to them. Their kindness was and still is personal to me.

In scripture, God does not tell us to be “nice,” but clearly states we are to “be kind to one another.” He tells us this knowing that our kindness will bless the one who receives it and also promises to bless the giver of kindness. It’s just like God to do that.

I finish up my Thoughts this year by asking you to be intentional, make the effort, and do something kind this season. The kindness you show a stranger and the kindness you show someone you know just may make their Holiday and your Holiday one you will always remember.

I wish you all a kind holiday season and a very Merry Christmas.