Five L's of Life

This morning I continued to read Coach Dungy's Book Uncommon. The 5th Chapter is titled "How to Treat a Woman". As I read I began to think about family and relationships. We have opportunities everyday to interact with our spouse, kids, friends, students, parents, co-workers, etc. All of these chances to interact allow us to grow and show our true character. Here are my 5 L's to make the most of your interactions- Learn, Listen, Love, Laugh, and Live. Make it important to LEARN about the people you are around. If you are wanting to help your son/daughter improve their study skills, then LEARN about his/her current study habits. Be involved and introduce new methods to help them improve. I heard a coach say once Learn your Learner. The better you know the people around you, the better connected you can be with them! Next is LISTEN- when we listen we learn. There is a reason that God gave us two ears and one mouth. Make an extra effort to LISTEN to the whole story before you open your mouth or jump to conclusions. Are you a person that is already thinking about what you are going to say before the other person is finished talking? I know this is an area that I can improve. Third is LOVE- learning and listening to others is LOVE. Be involved with your kids and the people around you. I know that it is very difficult to manage time with work, games, meetings, etc. Make an extra effort tell a parent that you LOVE them! Be there when a LOVED one needs you. Next is LAUGH- when you learn, listen, and love it makes your LAUGH more genuine. Former NC State basketball coach Jim Valvano used to say that you should LAUGH at least 7 times a day! This a trait that allowed him to win a National Championship and give a courageous effort battling Cancer before he passed. It is important to have fun with those people that you interact with. This does not mean that everything will be fun, but LAUGHING can be a great release of stress! Last is LIVE- learning, listening, loving, and laughing is LIVING. Include those around you in your dream or goal! Be apart of a loved ones dream or goal! As Coach Dungy would say LIVE uncommonly. It is easy to be self centered and common...LIVE UNCOMMON!