We have impact. What we say, what we do matters, and has an effect. When I look at the athletes in the Olympics, not a single one of them got there on their own. Someone way back said, “I believe in you.” Kids may act as though they don’t see us and, as we know, that’s just kids being kids.
When we say something to a young person, when we notice them, it is a big deal. They remember it. The smallest bit of sincere positive acknowledgment matters. I was in the gym this week, and there was a somewhat awkward young teen putting herself through a pretty serious workout. At one point, she was doing a foot work/jumping routine and fell a couple of times. Embarrassed, but she kept at it. As I walked by her, she glanced at me and I gave her a thumbs up. The kid lit up like she was on a podium. Small gesture, big impact. Bottom line: take a moment to acknowledge a young person. You never know how far it will resonate through their lives.
Keeping it short this week as I will be on vacation, more or less, this week. Hoping all of you are having a fantastic summer.
Onward and upward,
David
