Defining Moments: Why Do I Love My Job? Listen and God Will Answer.

Sometimes in a moment I am overcome by a wave of emotion as I realize the many reasons I love my job. And, more specifically, why it's not really a job, but rather why it's me being able to pursue my passion and live my values daily. 
Today I had one of those moments. It all started as I was thinking of a moment from yesterday that led to many connected thoughts and led to one of those defining 'ah ha' moments. 
The last event of the MWC Outdoor Track & Field Championships had just finished. A student-athlete from another team came in the Clerking Tent to grab her belongings. Before leaving, she went out of her way to come up to me to say, "thank you" for volunteering at the event, which provided her and the other student-athletes an opportunity to compete. I thanked her for her kind words and told her she was welcome although she didn't need to thank me. She extended her hand to shake mine. As I shook her hand, she reiterated again her appreciation for me and "everyone working" being there and being willing to spend several days helping at the meet. She thanked me for talking to her when she needed someone to talk to to calm her pre-race nerves; something I didn't even realize I did for her. She ended by saying that "people like you who help extra" mean a lot to her and her college experience. 
Before this student-athlete and after her, there were many other student-athletes that said thank you and expressed their appreciation to me and many other meet staff and volunteers. However, the interaction with this one specific student-athlete was the catalyst to one of my defining moments. 
I love my job because it embraces my values, which allows me to embrace it with appreciation and an open heart. 
Relationships. Service. Support. Passion and loving what you do. This is what it's all about for me. (And, of course, faith, integrity and respect.) 
I love my job because of the relationships. No, relationships doesn't mean you're best friends with everyone you cross paths with. But, does mean that you interact with many people and build and nurture relationships with many of them. Every relationship gives you the opportunity to grow. And, many relationships allow you to show support, have a positive impact, and grow through love. Some relationships allow you to support and serve others. Some allow you to be supported and served. And, a lot of times, you're blessed enough to experience relationships that provide both - giving and receiving support and service. 
In my role, I'm lucky to have relationships with student-athletes (and sometimes their families), co-workers and others in the community. It's what makes me embrace the reality of the Aggie Family. It's more than a concept or idea; it's lived by many as we support each other, help each other and love each other. Because we're a family and can live life outside of silos, we can also help each other. We can come together to support and serve others. This weekend has been an amazing example of that. And, for that matter, the last month and last seven years have been examples of that. 
This weekend, the Aggie Family was out in full force. I think it's safe to say the MWC Outdoor Track & Field Championships would not have been what it was had it not been for the village of volunteers that are part of the Aggie Family. Student-athletes from several sports, athletic department staff, donors and others from the Aggie Family volunteered to help at the event. They volunteered to help with any task or job that needed done to host an event that would allow student-athletes and teams to enjoy a championship event that will positively impact their collegiate experience, as well ask event that's welcoming and engaging for parents, fans and others. I, like many others, volunteered to help our fellow athletic department staff that needed a helping hand to serve our student-athletes and other teams in a way that creates a positive, meaningful event for them. My staff and I have been on the receiving end of the help and support from other staff many times as others helped with USTARS, attended Whitesides or grad breakfast, and other events that are hosted for our student-athletes to engage them and enhance their experience. We willingly help and support each other so we can all best serve and support our student-athletes. 
Relationships. Service. Support. They all co-exist in fulfilling my passion of positively impacting other's lives. They all align with my personal philosophy and mission of utilizing relationships based on unconditional love, trust and support to help others grow daily and find success whether it be through triumph or adversity. I am fortunate to see all of this connect and come full circle whether it be through helping at a conference championship or daily interactions with student-athletes in my office, at meetings and in passing. 

[I thought a lot about everything written above on a drive to Salt Lake City. On the way there, I stopped at Barnes & Noble where I read a few excerpts from the book "When God Winks at You: How God Speaks to You Through the Power of Coincidence." The excerpts talked about the how God communicates with us daily through situations and interactions. When I read it, I thought of the student-athlete that served as a catalyst in my recent defining moment. I now knew yesterday was a moment that God "winked" at me and reaffirmed my current path and defined direction. 
After arriving in Salt Lake, I sat on a bench in Trolley Square scribbling out all these thoughts in a small notebook. Realizing that God had "winked" at me, made me feel very compelled to get my thoughts down. I finished writing the reflection shared above just before attending church service at Antioch. The sermon was titled, "Can You Hear Me Now?" I took notes as the pastor, JR, talked about the three ways to hear from God and five filters to get there in the same small notebook that held my reflection. Then, came the closing thoughts of this sermon. It was another "wink." I was there to hear that message for a reason. And, I heard it loud and clear. 
JR explained... We are meant to enter into relationships - with God and with others. And, to have strong relationships and actively pursue our faith, we must have communication which requires actively listening to what we are hearing from God and others. And, we must have those strong relationships with communication to be able to serve and support others and for others to serve and support us.
Cue the tears. It all really came full circle. As I was reflecting before I walked into that sermon, my final thought was, "The only thing really missing in this defining moment for me is faith. But, maybe it was there somewhere." Listen intently and actively. God will answer. And, he'll continue to answer.
At the end of the closing worship song, a final announcement was made about Mother's Day. They talked about wanting to honor the mother's heart that's in all women. And, that a mother's heart serves others, supports others, and unconditionally loves others. They invited every woman to grab a flower on the way out, because some of us are mother's or will become mothers through birth, fostering or adoption. Again, I got an answer. I had thought and prayed about foster care and foster-to-adopt a lot. And, I felt and knew it was what I needed to do. So, I started the process without hearing it's what I was called to do. Then, today, for the second time in a matter of minutes God answered.]

Turn the Tassel & Say Goodbye

Life has a cycle... especially when you work in higher education. A new year starts and new people arrive. You rotate from one sports season and semester to the next. And, before you know it, it's commencement weekend. You celebrate the 4 to 5 year academic accomplishments of the graduates and say your goodbyes. Then, you catch your breath and prepare for new students to arrive in what seems like a few short weeks. 

There's a key to this cycle... relationships. As you go through each year, you build relationships. Some are stronger than others. Some are based on trust and love. Some are based on necessity. And, as you move from one year to another, so do many of the students, so those relationships continue to grow throughout their journey. 

Here's what I've learned. If you aren't in the relationship business, this life isn't for you and the cycle is lost on and with you. The other lesson that goes with this... the longer you live this life, the harder it is to say goodbye. But, it's important to realize, that's actually a blessing in disguise. Why? Because that means you were committed to building relationships. It means that you've dedicated yourself to serving others through trust, love and desire for them to succeed in meeting their goals. For many it goes without saying that one of their goals is to finish their tenure ready to pursue their dreams and passions, which more often than not involves walking across a stage in cap and gown, turning a tassel and moving away. This means, you say goodbye.

Goodbye means something different for everyone. For some, it means a sincere hand written note, for others it's a hug and tears, and for many it's seeing college life disappear into the distance through the rearview mirror with no words shared. In some cases, goodbye is really more of a see you later or talk to you soon. But, for many, there's no intention of reconnecting. 

This journey you're a part of, you have to understand it's not your own. As the cycle is completed, you have to accept that many students you commit time, energy and love to building relationships with will proudly walk across the stage, but you may not get a thank you or farewell. You many know struggles, secrets and dreams not shared with others, and that's your part in their journey. But, your part in their journey does not mean you've earned a goodbye you may want. It's not your story; it's theirs. Let them write their story and finish this cycle in their own way. 

Be confident that each thank you, kind word and thoughtful gesture along the way shows their gratitude for the role you've played in this chapter of their story. The cycle can be complete without a spoken goodbye. And, a goodbye doesn't mean a relationship has ended or your part in someone's journey has come to an end. So, share your congratulations and cheer on their continued pursuit of life goals and success.