Fielder’s Choice

I was looking through some old notebooks and such in some boxes stored in my office the other day

There’s a variety there, including certificates, textbooks, seminar booklets, notes from leadership sessions, and even notebooks from college.

One list I found, from a leadership academy, was headlined “If I could start over.”

I don’t really remember when or where I was at the time. My hand-writing wasn’t good, so I actually printed my list.

The notes were on one of those yellow legal pads. We still use those every day at our office – even with places for notes on your phone, your laptop or your work computer.

1) Talk less and listen more.

I still have not mastered that one. But I have recently made a focus on trying to improve.

2) Spend more time with my family – particularly, parents with your children when they’re young.

My family is my life. I’ve told all the children, as they reached their late teens and 20s, that I often regret some of the things I missed when they were young due to the demands of the newspaper business. It’s basically an around-the-clock job – one you can never totally leave. They understood that then, and they understand it now.

I spent tons of quality time with my children as they were growing up, and those are the best of my memories. But I always wish I had made even more time for them.

3) Be a more serious student. I actually did pretty good on this one. My mother instilled in me the importance of education and the importance of making good grades

4) Develop a passion – find something you love to do. That was developed as a youngster. It’s a love of sports, whether participating as a player or coach or observing.

5) Have a singular focus and don’t diversify as much. That focus, for me, has always been God and family. It has worked well for me.

6) Learn to say “no” when it comes to being involved in too many things.

This often stretches a person too thin, and also takes away from family time, and I’ve struggled with this one, too. My various activities in the communities where I’ve lived, such as Rotary Club, youth league coach, chamber boards, school boards and so on have been very rewarding experiences. And I’ve urged my children to always give back to their communities, too.

7) Learn to trust God more and my own efforts less.

8) Enjoy your youth.

I certainly enjoyed mine. I reflect on my school days and my friends from Hamilton, Ala., almost every day.Amen! I can find myself swaying away from number seven, but reading my Bible, attending church and spending time with my church family helps me refocus concerning this important aspect of my life

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about a gift and nice note I received from a former high school baseball coach. A couple of years ago I was able to go back to my hometown for a basketball reunion of the 1978- 79 team.

Those are just two examples of how blessed I was during my youth.

Here’s hoping this, “If I could start over” list could help you reflect, too. And I’m sure more could be added to the list.