Embrace The Craziness, Start The Crazy
Someone recently said to me, “My Family is Crazy.” Good, the truth is I don’t want to be part of a boring family, do you?
One tradition that my family celebrates is International Tom Hanks Day. Every first Saturday in the month of April the “Maucks” and “Nelsons” get together to eat some great food and watch a few Tom Hanks movies. Over the years this event has grown and now includes trivia, a costume contest, skits and many more fun activities. This event is more than just having a great time, it’s about getting together. By putting an event on the calendar it ensures we all get together at least once a year to make some memories. How many times have you said, “we’ve got to get together and catch up” but fail to do so? Everyone is busy and someone must make the effort to make the plans. My advice is the crazier the better!
When I suggested to my mother that I wanted to take a trip to Lambeau Field in the month of December she thought I was crazy. Now this yearly tradition to “Titletown” is something my entire family looks forward to and something I will continue to do for the rest of my life. I’m sure that people thought William Bertolet was nuts when he purchased a house on Lake Dunmore located in a different state, 6.5 hours from home. Now the 3rd generation of his family are creating memories on this lake every summer.
What traditions does your family honor? What pictures are you adding to the photo album each year? It’s great to do new things but remember that usually your fondest memories come from keeping alive and celebrating the traditions that are unique to your family. No matter how inconvenient they may seem, do your best to play that Turkey Bowl Game on Thanksgiving or wear your matching pajamas on Christmas.
If you can’t think of any family traditions or want to start a new one, you have to be willing to fail and look foolish. If Tom Hanks day would have failed, that doesn’t mean I’m a bad person. I am defined by my ability to LEAD (Love, Effort, Attitude, Discipline) as a man, brother, friend, son and future son and hopefully future father. Remember the biggest risk in life is not to take a risk, if you want to create some extra special memories than it’s time to go big or go home!
Coach Nelson serves as a high school football coach who is pursuing his doctorate in Sport and Performance Psychology. He has worked for division 1 athletic departments, professional sport franchises, a Fortune 100 company and has won numerous awards for his Leadership abilities.
His mission is to positively influence the world through Love, Effort, Attitude and Discipline (#LEAD). To learn more about the LEAD Philosophy follow him on Twitter Levi Nelson or reach out via email at rln10@zips.uakron.edu He’d love to learn about or help you in your journey
