Did you like high school?
Note: If you’re in high school now (or will be in a few years), disregard this question for now, but come back and answer it around 2025, okay?
So, did you like high school? Usually, this question gets one of two polar opposite reactions. Most folks either loved it… or loathed it. There’s not much in between!
However, when you ask about middle school, the response is almost always unanimous: “Hated it!” I know I sure did! I mean, this is when I so, so, so wanted to talk to these strange beings known as “girls,” yet I had all the communication skills of a Rhesus monkey hopped up on No Doz. I tripped over my own two ginormous feet, forgot to wear deodorant on a daily basis, my voice had more cracks than a plumber’s convention and, to top it off, I had hair growing in weird places (my apologies to all you visual learners).
So, when I was invited to go back and speak at my old middle school, I accepted… and promptly felt my face break out with zits.
When the day rolled around, I’ve gotta say, middle school isn’t nearly as traumatic as I’d remembered! Either that or 20 years means I’ve forgotten all that embarrassment… NOT!
Okay, serious stuff here… When I was doing Q & A with my Montgomery County R-II Middle School audience, I got one of those really profound (and unexpected) questions that make me love working with middle schoolers:
“Marcus, do you think you’ve become a better person since you lost your sight?”
I’m not sure I’ve ever had this question from this age group before, so I didn’t have a ready answer. Yet, every so often, I open my mouth and something appropriate pops out (not like that time I accidentally spat in my date’s eye at my first dance… ahhh the flashbacks continue!)
Okay, back to serious stuff again…
Question again: “Do you feel like you’ve become a better person since you lost your sight?” Answer? “Yes, absolutely! And I hope I’m a better person today than I was yesterday. And I hope tomorrow I’ll be a better person than I am today.”
For years, I’ve been a big advocate of constant self improvement. Yet, I’m not sure I’ve ever thought of it in this day-to-day realm. To be a better person than yesterday means I have to do something (anything, really) today. Right here and now. And tomorrow? Third verse, same as the first.
Ya know, the horrors of middle school were nothing compared with those life-changes after high school… but they DID help me become a better person. Yet, even if I didn’t have such a dramatic story, I hope I’d still be the kind of person who wants to make daily improvements. But that means putting forth a conscious effort. Every day, I want to learn something new, do something healthy, teach something important and experience something different.
As a 13 year old middle schooler, I was just happy to get home at night with my underwear still intact. Some days still feel like staying in bed might have been a better option – but now I know the bigger picture. A person’s actions, attitudes and choices… these are things we each control. Every day, sometimes even moment by moment! Each experience brings an opportunity to have that moment shape a positive tomorrow.
Years, life experience and a desire for daily improvement. These things add up to helping create a happy life. I hope you embrace the same goals and determination. And thank goodness middle school isn’t even close to the best years of life!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
"Sewanee: University of the South"
On Tuesday, April 14, I flew into Nashville (one of my favorite cities), but this time, it wasn't to go to Tootsie's nor Robert's Three Doors Down. This time, it was to head towards Chattanooga, through the mountains and stopping off at Sewanee, the University of the South.
Sewanee is a really interesting place with some fantastic southern hospitality! The president of the university is the mayor of the town, campus police are also the town police – the university IS the town. I often hear that statement when I'm in a small town with a college or university, but this time? It was literal!
Thanks to Nicky Hamilton for bringing me to Sewanee for Derby Days and the effort to provide students with an alternative message of alcohol abuse! I had a fantastic time with the fraternity and sorority members and Carson got lots of lovin' from Sewanee girls! Thanks also to Sewanee for one of the best lattes I've ever had!
Sewanee is a really interesting place with some fantastic southern hospitality! The president of the university is the mayor of the town, campus police are also the town police – the university IS the town. I often hear that statement when I'm in a small town with a college or university, but this time? It was literal!
Thanks to Nicky Hamilton for bringing me to Sewanee for Derby Days and the effort to provide students with an alternative message of alcohol abuse! I had a fantastic time with the fraternity and sorority members and Carson got lots of lovin' from Sewanee girls! Thanks also to Sewanee for one of the best lattes I've ever had!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
“Walk Like MADD”
We’re all familiar with “Race for the Cure” walks that help promote cancer research and awareness. Now, Mothers Against Drunk Driving is holding a similar event, “Walk Like MADD” to help raise funds to prevent impaired driving. The deets are below for the Florida event. My new friends with MADD Florida are some awesome people who are sure to make this a fantastic event! Please consider walking if you’re in the area, or donating as a virtual walker if you’re out of town. Thanks for your consideration and for your commitment to helping prevent impaired driving!
"Walk Like MADD Fundraiser" on Saturday, May 16 at 7:00am.
Event: Walk Like MADD Fundraiser
What: Fundraiser
Host: Mother's Against Drunk Driving
Start Time: Saturday, May 16 at 7:00am
End Time: Saturday, May 16 at 11:00am
Where: Tampa Lowry Park Zoo
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.WalkLikeMADD.com
"Walk Like MADD Fundraiser" on Saturday, May 16 at 7:00am.
Event: Walk Like MADD Fundraiser
What: Fundraiser
Host: Mother's Against Drunk Driving
Start Time: Saturday, May 16 at 7:00am
End Time: Saturday, May 16 at 11:00am
Where: Tampa Lowry Park Zoo
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.WalkLikeMADD.com
Fullerton Tragedy
Early Thursday morning the country learned of the senseless death of Nick Anderhart, a 22 year old pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels. After pitching his first start of 2009 on Wednesday evening, the car in which the young athlete was riding was struck by a drunk driver. Anderhart and two other passengers were killed in the crash.
One of these passengers, a 20 year old CSU-Fullerton Alpha Chi Omega, was in my audience in November when I presented at the University. When I read stories of this tragedy, its proximity to the university and the ages of the passengers, it became apparent very quickly how close to this crash that I was.
This morning, I wrote to Nick Katz, the director of Greek Life at CSU-Fullerton. After spending the day with Nick when I was on campus, I've come to know him as a friend. When I learned that the CSU-Fullerton student had indeed been in my audience, my heart went out even more to that university's community. Such a senseless crash... and one which could have been easily prevented.
This morning, I sent a message to the president of the Alpha Chi Omega chapter and I'd like to include it here. It's nothing profound because there's simply nothing to say other than, "I'm sorry." This crash shouldn't have happened and three young people should not have had their lives cut short by an impaired driver.
Again, I send my sympathy to the CSU-Fullerton community, the family and friends of Nick Anderhart, the Angels pitcher, and the young law student whose life was also lost...
**********
To the ladies of Alpha Chi Omega,
Last fall, you may remember a keynote speech I delivered for the Greeks at CSU-Fullerton. In this program, I shared my experiences after being blinded and nearly killed by a drunk driver. After the tragedy this week in Fullerton, I wanted to write and extend my sympathy to you, the Alpha Chi Omega chapter and the entire CSU-Fullerton Greek community.
Any death makes us stop and take a different look at life. When this happens to a young person with their entire life in front of them, it has the tendency to leave everyone reeling. And when the death is such a senseless and preventable tragedy as you experienced this week, the unanswerable question comes up again and again: Why?
When that question arises, it often leads to anxious, gut-wrenching pain... because there is no good answer. This simply should not have happened. While you'll probably never get an acceptable response to "Why?", I do hope this will somehow help you, your sisters, your family, friends, fellow CSU-Fullerton students and maybe many others understand just how precious (and precarious) life is. I also hope it will encourage you to hug your loved ones a little closer, always knowing the world can change in an instant.
No one can ever know precisely what another person is going through. We simply can't step into another's skin and mind to feel what they feel. We can sympathize, but never accurately empathize. Still, having experienced vast amounts of frustration and anger over a useless lost due to another's irresponsible choices, I've been helped so, so much by helping hands and listening ears of others. If I can return this favor by helping the sisterhood, please don't hesitate to contact me. I can't promise an answer to the question of, "Why?", but I can certainly be a hand to hold and a shoulder to cry upon.
With sympathy,
Marcus Engel
Orlando, FL
One of these passengers, a 20 year old CSU-Fullerton Alpha Chi Omega, was in my audience in November when I presented at the University. When I read stories of this tragedy, its proximity to the university and the ages of the passengers, it became apparent very quickly how close to this crash that I was.
This morning, I wrote to Nick Katz, the director of Greek Life at CSU-Fullerton. After spending the day with Nick when I was on campus, I've come to know him as a friend. When I learned that the CSU-Fullerton student had indeed been in my audience, my heart went out even more to that university's community. Such a senseless crash... and one which could have been easily prevented.
This morning, I sent a message to the president of the Alpha Chi Omega chapter and I'd like to include it here. It's nothing profound because there's simply nothing to say other than, "I'm sorry." This crash shouldn't have happened and three young people should not have had their lives cut short by an impaired driver.
Again, I send my sympathy to the CSU-Fullerton community, the family and friends of Nick Anderhart, the Angels pitcher, and the young law student whose life was also lost...
**********
To the ladies of Alpha Chi Omega,
Last fall, you may remember a keynote speech I delivered for the Greeks at CSU-Fullerton. In this program, I shared my experiences after being blinded and nearly killed by a drunk driver. After the tragedy this week in Fullerton, I wanted to write and extend my sympathy to you, the Alpha Chi Omega chapter and the entire CSU-Fullerton Greek community.
Any death makes us stop and take a different look at life. When this happens to a young person with their entire life in front of them, it has the tendency to leave everyone reeling. And when the death is such a senseless and preventable tragedy as you experienced this week, the unanswerable question comes up again and again: Why?
When that question arises, it often leads to anxious, gut-wrenching pain... because there is no good answer. This simply should not have happened. While you'll probably never get an acceptable response to "Why?", I do hope this will somehow help you, your sisters, your family, friends, fellow CSU-Fullerton students and maybe many others understand just how precious (and precarious) life is. I also hope it will encourage you to hug your loved ones a little closer, always knowing the world can change in an instant.
No one can ever know precisely what another person is going through. We simply can't step into another's skin and mind to feel what they feel. We can sympathize, but never accurately empathize. Still, having experienced vast amounts of frustration and anger over a useless lost due to another's irresponsible choices, I've been helped so, so much by helping hands and listening ears of others. If I can return this favor by helping the sisterhood, please don't hesitate to contact me. I can't promise an answer to the question of, "Why?", but I can certainly be a hand to hold and a shoulder to cry upon.
With sympathy,
Marcus Engel
Orlando, FL
Monday, April 6, 2009
Signs, Signs, Everywhere Are Signs
A suburb of Milwaukee is trying an innovative approach to curb underage drinking: intelligence.
Just like the NSA or the CIA (just on a smaller scale), law enforcement officials are monitoring Facebook and MySpace for "chatter" about upcoming keg parties serving minors. Plus, the ears of school teachers and administrators are open and they're relaying info to the cops. Between these two intelligence gathering avenues, cops have been able to more closely monitor the underage drinking problem.
Plus, if police learn of a party, they'll contact the property owners (usually the parents of a high schooler) to let them know what they've learned. Additionally, parents can be proactive.
If parents know they'll be leaving town, they have the option of contacting local law enforcement. The cops will then go out and place a sign in the front yard of the property where the party is to be held. The sign talks about how underage drinking is a crime, shows tombstones of 17 and 18 year olds and gives a strong anti-DWI message.
Will this approach work? Hard to say...but it certainly keeps the lines of communication open with parents, the school district and law enforcement.
Just like the NSA or the CIA (just on a smaller scale), law enforcement officials are monitoring Facebook and MySpace for "chatter" about upcoming keg parties serving minors. Plus, the ears of school teachers and administrators are open and they're relaying info to the cops. Between these two intelligence gathering avenues, cops have been able to more closely monitor the underage drinking problem.
Plus, if police learn of a party, they'll contact the property owners (usually the parents of a high schooler) to let them know what they've learned. Additionally, parents can be proactive.
If parents know they'll be leaving town, they have the option of contacting local law enforcement. The cops will then go out and place a sign in the front yard of the property where the party is to be held. The sign talks about how underage drinking is a crime, shows tombstones of 17 and 18 year olds and gives a strong anti-DWI message.
Will this approach work? Hard to say...but it certainly keeps the lines of communication open with parents, the school district and law enforcement.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
You're Fired...Because Your Drinking Effects Your Work
One of my guilty pleasures is watching "Celebrity Apprentice." I'm a sworn hater of reality TV, but watching non-business people trying to work in the corporate world is an interesting lesson in communications, marketing, sales and customer service.
This season's "Celebrity Apprentice" contains folks like Clint Black, Scott Hamilton, Joan Rivers, Dennis Rodman, Andrew Dice Clay and a bunch of others. In the episode I caught last night, Dennis Rodman was the project manager for a challenge whereby the two teams had to provide customer service for a luxury hotel in NYC.
I've never been a follower of the NBA, but even if you're like me, you've had to have become familiar with Dennis Rodman over the last decade or so. Once one of the most talented players for the Chicago Bulls, Rodman made his mark on the sport not so much by his playing abilities, but by his appearance and behavior: facial piercings, tattoos, multi-colored dyed hair. Plus, he was known for his extreme temper and attention-seeking antics. He's one of the only professional athletes who would show up in Times Square wearing a full bride's gown and veil, then turn around and watch clips of him kicking a cameraman right square in the crotch.
This kind of personality on "Celebrity Apprentice" was sure to be a train wreck... and with this hotel's customer service being placed in the hands of Rodman, we got to witness some extremes.
What I didn't expect to see turned out to be, well, just sad. Rodman's teammates (Clint Black, Hershel Walker, Jesse James, etc.) were totally behind him when the task began. Rodman really tried to make a go of it by helping guests, bending over backwards to be courteous, going the extra mile for customers.
Then, his demons came out. And by that, I mean he started drinking.
From the time he got his first drink, the whole thing went downhill. He not only became more belligerent and loud and hateful, but at one point, he simply disappeared. Without warning, he left his post, went to dinner and came back hours later... more drunk.
When Donald Trump took all the players into the board room, it turned from a firing process to an intervention on Dennis Rodman. Major, MAJOR props to Jesse James for having the guts to stand up to Rodman, point out how his alcohol use is out of control and do it in the most loving and supportive manner possible. Reason being? James has been down that road of addiction and abuse... and he's been clean for nearly a decade. His handling of the Rodman situation was nothing short of impressive.
As the board room episode moved on, the mood became less about the challenges and winning... and more about showing Rodman that he needs help. Tears were shed because, simply put, it's just so sad to see someone in the throes of alcoholism.
The very most impressive thing, though, was a subtle PSA as the show ended: the contact info for Alcoholics Anonymous.
We all hope that if viewers saw themselves in Rodman, they'll get help... and we hope Dennis Rodman will, too.
This season's "Celebrity Apprentice" contains folks like Clint Black, Scott Hamilton, Joan Rivers, Dennis Rodman, Andrew Dice Clay and a bunch of others. In the episode I caught last night, Dennis Rodman was the project manager for a challenge whereby the two teams had to provide customer service for a luxury hotel in NYC.
I've never been a follower of the NBA, but even if you're like me, you've had to have become familiar with Dennis Rodman over the last decade or so. Once one of the most talented players for the Chicago Bulls, Rodman made his mark on the sport not so much by his playing abilities, but by his appearance and behavior: facial piercings, tattoos, multi-colored dyed hair. Plus, he was known for his extreme temper and attention-seeking antics. He's one of the only professional athletes who would show up in Times Square wearing a full bride's gown and veil, then turn around and watch clips of him kicking a cameraman right square in the crotch.
This kind of personality on "Celebrity Apprentice" was sure to be a train wreck... and with this hotel's customer service being placed in the hands of Rodman, we got to witness some extremes.
What I didn't expect to see turned out to be, well, just sad. Rodman's teammates (Clint Black, Hershel Walker, Jesse James, etc.) were totally behind him when the task began. Rodman really tried to make a go of it by helping guests, bending over backwards to be courteous, going the extra mile for customers.
Then, his demons came out. And by that, I mean he started drinking.
From the time he got his first drink, the whole thing went downhill. He not only became more belligerent and loud and hateful, but at one point, he simply disappeared. Without warning, he left his post, went to dinner and came back hours later... more drunk.
When Donald Trump took all the players into the board room, it turned from a firing process to an intervention on Dennis Rodman. Major, MAJOR props to Jesse James for having the guts to stand up to Rodman, point out how his alcohol use is out of control and do it in the most loving and supportive manner possible. Reason being? James has been down that road of addiction and abuse... and he's been clean for nearly a decade. His handling of the Rodman situation was nothing short of impressive.
As the board room episode moved on, the mood became less about the challenges and winning... and more about showing Rodman that he needs help. Tears were shed because, simply put, it's just so sad to see someone in the throes of alcoholism.
The very most impressive thing, though, was a subtle PSA as the show ended: the contact info for Alcoholics Anonymous.
We all hope that if viewers saw themselves in Rodman, they'll get help... and we hope Dennis Rodman will, too.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Southern Wesleyan University
This week, I had the opportunity to do several programs for Southern Wesleyan University in Central, South Carolina. In addition to SC now being my home away from home, it was awesome to work with such a fantastic group of students! Thanks to Nurse Lori Herron for bringing me to SWU, to all the students who attended Tuesday and Thursday chapel services and especially to the group of ladies who came to the Wednesday night faith-based program – you guys are awesome!
Thanks for helping reinforce why South Carolina is one of my favorite places in the land!
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