Be the Mosquito

After a long hiatus from blogging, I have returned.  Much has been on my mind lately.  A combination of events and some reading I have been doing has challenged me to rethink the power of a voice.

I am now in my sixth year of college (4 years of undergrad + 1 year of grad school under my belt).  I have seen much and learned a lot.  Recently, I was talking to a company here in Raleigh requesting assistance with a lease.  Upon placing my request, I was treated very negatively and they told me that they would do nothing to address the issue.  Talk about southern hospitality, huh?  Later, they called to once again clarify their position and restate that they would not help me with a simple matter.  After enduring a long rant, I had to make a decision.  I could either shake my head and let them go on with their story or I could say something.  While I try not to be a confrontational person, I realized that if I was being treated in this way, so were others.  They needed a customer service checkup and I volunteered to give it to them.  As I explained my position and the necessity of my request, I began to get real results.  I explained my dissatisfaction with their assistance and lack of good customer service.  The whole situation seemed to turn around as the person I was speaking with heard feedback from me.  The last several weeks, I have received e-mail and they have begun to find a real solution for my request.  Had I not spoken up and voiced my concerns, I probably wouldn't have found the positive ending that I had set out for from the beginning.

There are over 7 billion people on Earth.  7 billion unique people with diverse opinions.  Many times, groups of people share commonalities in beliefs and values such as in America where most people value freedom and the American Dream.  When we refuse to speak up and be heard, we indirectly tell ourselves that our beliefs and values are not important.  As in the situation mentioned above, not voicing your opinion allows others to stamp out your views, overtake society with their wishes, and build an organization or society that may not represent the views of you or even the majority (check out WWII/Germany in your history book).  While in college, I have faced many situations that model this exact predicament.  From gay rights debates to animal rights demonstrations on campus, the shouts of people that represent certain views often drowned out the voices of others with common or different views.  Regular students often said nothing for fear of be chastised by various groups or constituencies. 

I recently read Dr. Ben Carson’s new book entitled One Nation: What We Can All Do to Save America’s Future.  In this book, he emphasizes the negative repercussions that result from political correctness and how it can stifle creativity and honest debate in the public square.  Simply because someone possesses views that differ from the people that have the air horn and shout the loudest, doesn't mean that they should be dismissed as eccentric or unknowledgeable.  America was founded upon a principle of honest debate between citizens that are knowledgeable and guided by morals.  When a majority of citizens are no longer knowledgeable and refuse to put a voice to their morals, they open up society to transformation by those who do voice their opinions which may or may not be representative of the whole.

Apathy is a terrible disease that has swept many households in our nation.  I understand that people are frustrated with their communities and governments, but I still go to the ballot box each year with confidence that my opinion matters.  I honor those that wholeheartedly serve in local government and join non-profits to address needs in our communities.  When we serve others and engage in debate, we ensure that our communities and country become places where we want to live and work.  I love the imagery of a mosquito in the dark.  Many famous speakers have shared this quote: “If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito”.  Be the mosquito.  Use your voice to make your opinion known.  Stand up for what you believe and I will see you on the highway to success!

Check out this video of Dr. Ben Carson at the National Prayer Breakfast.  Whether you agree with his views or not, he voices his opinion and stands up for his beliefs.  We need more people to do this in our society.  Maybe then we'll have honest debate once again.

Giving Credit to FFA

This week, people all over The United States of America have celebrated National FFA Week.  FFA is a national leadership organization for students enrolled in middle and high school agricultural education courses.  I was a proud member of the FFA from 2003 to 2011.  I took full advantage of every opportunity I could find in this organization and the FFA has made a huge impact on my life.

I give the FFA credit for…….

·        Teaching me that public service is not an event but a way of life.  From selling tickets for the Newport Pig Cookin’ Contest (the world’s largest whole-hog pig cooking contest) that raises money for local organizations to gleaning sweet potatoes at a factory in Maryland with the National FFA Organization, I learned that service to others is an important value that all leaders must possess.

Gleaning sweet potatoes at Washington Leadership Conference in 2007.

·         Teaching me that success doesn’t come by accident but is a direct result of preparation and hard work.  While in the FFA, I had many early mornings in the agriculture shop and many late nights preparing for contests and events.  When we achieved success, I attributed it to the work of our members and advisors.  

One of many teacher appreciation breakfasts during National FFA Week.

·         Teaching me that there is no “I” in TEAM.  As the saying goes, “Together Everyone Achieves More!”  I had excellent opportunities to work with fellow students in my local schools and from all over the nation.

One awesome West Carteret FFA officer team in 2008-2009.

·         Teaching me the importance of agriculture.  Agriculture isn’t just about farming.  Agriculture today involves technology, science, sales, entrepreneurship, and more.  By 2050, the world’s population is expected to grow to 9 billion people.  Today, there is less land for agricultural production.  It is going to take people from all areas of science and agriculture to meet the food demands of this growing world. 

·         Teaching me the value of education.  My experiences in the FFA ignited my passion for agriculture and service.  The FFA inspired me to go to NC State University to continue my studies in agricultural education and now a masters in public administration.  I believe that I can make a positive difference in the lives of others and education is helping me do that.

Graduation Day at NC State University in 2013.

·         Showing me that opportunity awaits those who are looking for it.  Opportunities to be a leader, to serve others, and to learn, are available.  Those that are looking for these opportunities will be the ones that reap the rewards. 

2008-2009 Southeastern NC Regional FFA Officer Team

There are currently over 570,000 members in the FFA.  I am confident in the future of our nation with these students and FFA alumni leading the way.  If you have children that have an opportunity to join the FFA in their local school, encourage them to be a part of this great organization.  There are also many opportunities for parents and alumni to engage with and support the FFA.  From joining your local FFA Alumni affiliate to donating money to the National and North Carolina FFA Foundations, you can help make opportunities possible for students in the FFA.  Quoting from the last paragraph of the FFA Creed, “I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.”    Happy FFA Week!

2007-2008 Southeastern NC Regional FFA Officer Team at the North Carolina FFA Center at White Lake

Test by Fire

This weekend I had the opportunity to see The Whisnants in concert.  I am an avid fan of Southern Gospel music and The Whisnants are one of the best groups in the industry.  One song sung this weekend has stuck with me all week and made me think about the transforming power of God and the pressings of life.  Here is the lyric:

“Here on the potter's wheel,
I find myself once more,
My faults and frailties
Bring me here just like before,
With strong and loving hands
The pressure is applied,
Oft times I tremble as
He puts me through the fire”

(“I’ll Trust the Potters Hand” by Sandy Blythe)

As a Christian, I have heard time and time again that God is molding and making us to be more like Him.  God molds us to be all that He wants us to be just as a potter molds the clay in order to produce an artwork of beauty (Isaiah 64:8).  I have grown to accept that God is the leader of my life and that I need Him to continuously keep me on the wheel until I become the person He wants me to be.  Molding happens in the quiet moments of life, during prayer, in a church service, while serving on a missions trip, and other times when God chooses to reveal Himself to his children.  I accept that molding, though it may be tough at times to change, is for my better. 

The specific line in this song that went straight to my heart is “oft times I tremble as He puts me through the fire”.  For those of us that have worked with pottery before, we know that before pottery is finished, it must be put through the fire so that it can be used for its intended purpose.  I have had discussions lately with fellow Christians my age and we have examined the reasons why we think many students that call themselves “Christians” break down so easily and accept the terms of the world.  One reason I believe this happens so often is because after God changes our hearts on His potter’s wheel, many are surprised that pressure and challenging times may come.  The test that we go through as God molds and remolds us will significantly impact our testimony. 

I am reminded of three Hebrew men whose names where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3).  In prayer, they sought God and knew Him sincerely.  When King Nebuchadnezzar issued a decree that the people should only worship his idol, the three Hebrew children did not bow and were thus thrown into a fiery furnace.  You know the story.  While looking into the fire, the observers noticed that four people, not three, were walking around in the midst of the fire.  The door of the furnace was opened and the three Hebrews walked out unhurt.  Who was the fourth man in the fire?  It was God.  This shows Christians that when God allows us to go through the fire, He doesn't leave us.  Hebrews 13:5-6 tells us that God “will never leave us nor forsake us.  So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” 

As you live a life fulfilling your destiny, there will be times that you will be put through the fire.  But take courage in knowing that you are never alone and that this test will strengthen you so that you can fulfill His purpose for your life.  If you take this to heart, I know I will see you on the highway to success!

Strive for Excellence in 2014

"If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?" ~John Wooden

Happy New Year!  As we begin a year of new opportunities, I would like to share a thought with you. 

 

We all have the same amount of time in each day.  But some people seem to achieve more than others in the same 24 hours.  In today’s society, we are constantly moving, changing, and pursuing something new.  We are multi-tasking like never before thanks to technology.  But is more always better?  Sometimes when we focus on producing large quantities, we forget to ensure that each unit produced is of good quality.  Because of this, I believe that quality is more important in most cases than quantity.  My resolution for 2014 is to live a year of quality.  Quality actually will help you save time in the long run.  John Wooden put it best when he stated: "If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?"  Living a life of quality is a very important part of effective time management.  Anyone can rush through a semester and write three average papers.  It takes someone committed to excellence to perform at a higher level.

 

Note for Future Leaders: John Maxwell states that leadership is "influence".  Leaders have the power to shape and transform their followers.  Leaders must set the example.  If you want your organization or individual followers to produce excellent work, then you must set the example by making a commitment to quality in your own life.

 

A recent article in the News & Observer described an example of a government organization focusing on quantity over quality and the negative results that can be produced.  Recently the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services accidentally mailed the Medicaid information for 50,000 children in North Carolina to the wrong addresses.  That’s a lot of letters!  While the employees of DHHS worked to produce a product, quantity was definitely met but the quality was overlooked which made their work ineffective.  Now they have to take time to mail 50,000 letters once again to the correct addresses.  This reduces efficiency.

 

In 2014, I encourage you to take time to produce quality work.  Excellence is achieved one day at a time.  Whether I am writing a research paper or giving a presentation, I am committed to doing my best the very first time.  If you focus on quality in 2014, I know I will see you on the highway to success!