FINAL SUMMER ENTRY

This entry comes precisely 48 hours before we meet for our first practice, THURSDAY, AUGUST 23rd @ 8:00AM.  No more verbosity.  No more pontificating.  No more pleading.  You're either ready or your not.

Yesterday I made reservations for the Ferry to Martha's Vineyard.  (The itinerary will follow next week.)  Today I entered 14 names (7 Boys, 7 Girls) via directathletics.com for the Martha's Vineyard Invitational to hold our spot.  Oh, don't worry, I have ample time to change my entries.  In fact, I am certain I will have to make some changes.  And today I am also considering my own GOALS for the season.  Achieving those GOALS will help to accomplish the EXPECTATIONS I have for myself.  I am hoping you will take a moment or two to establish your own GOALS and EXPECTATIONS for the upcoming season.

Until Thursday then, I'll leave you with this -  the final installment observing Admiral William McRaven's extremely motivational speech presented to the 2014 graduating class at the University of Texas.  The following is the final portion of that speech and includes his 10th suggestion for changing the world and his closing remarks:

"Finally, in SEAL training there is a bell. A brass bell that hangs in the center of the compound for all the students to see. All you have to do to quit—is ring the bell. Ring the bell and you no longer have to wake up at 5 o’clock. Ring the bell and you no longer have to do the freezing cold swims. Ring the bell and you no longer have to do the runs, the obstacle course, the PT—and you no longer have to endure the hardships of training. 

Just ring the bell. 

If you want to change the world don’t ever, ever ring the bell. 

To the graduating class of 2014, you are moments away from graduating. Moments away from beginning your journey through life. Moments away from starting to change the world—for the better. It will not be easy. But, YOU are the class of 2014—the class that can affect the lives of 800 million people in the next century. 

Start each day with a task completed.

Find someone to help you through life. 

Respect everyone. 

Know that life is not fair and that you will fail often, but if you take some risks, step up when the times are toughest, face down the bullies, lift up the downtrodden and never, ever give up—if you do these things, the next generation and the generations that follow will live in a world far better than the one we have today and—what started here will indeed have changed the world—for the better."