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December 20, 2009 Back in 2002 I sent an email to one of my old high school coaches, not knowing what would happen. What happened was a wonderful reunion a month later at one of our old favorite Mexican restaurants in Orange, California across the street from my high school. Last April I talked to Coach Shine again over the phone and it was great. When I was 16, Coach rode me like a rented mule, but neatly tucked into his message was the belief that I could accomplish some good things if I applied myself. In 1979, when I signed with the Cincinnati Reds, there could be no doubt that his efforts to instill mental toughness and create a high-standard to live up to, were contributory factors. He’d played QB at University of Hawaii, and both of his kids became Division I athletes as well. He knew what he was doing… Almost 25-years later, something nagged at me to reach out to him and let him know that it meant a lot that he must’ve believed in me because I could always feel the investment. He didn’t always say what I wanted to hear, but many times he did say what I wanted to hear, indirectly. The truth is, he believed in me, and that mattered. This is Christmas week and during the holidays, people reflect about their lives and what led them to their current station more frequently during this time of year. People will see each other and often say, “I’ll call you,” or “let’s get together.” 99% of the time they never do. Don’t you be one of them… As you look back in retrospect on your life, I challenge you to find the person or persons that positively influenced you, and give them a call. If you’re willing to get off your butt and do it, you’re in for a wonderful experience, and you’ll be returning the gift that person gave you, perhaps at a time when you needed it most. You’ve got the perfect excuse, it’s the holidays… You know you’ve been meaning to, and when you do, you’ll have done a noble thing, and the other party will be floating for all the right reasons. It may be a simple act, but the smallest deed always outweighs the greatest intention. And, oh by the way, Coach Shine, if you’re reading this, Happy Holidays to you and your family. (c) 2009 Novi
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