Down, Set, Hike
The time is coming! In just a few short weeks, my Sundays will (once again) be dedicated to watching the Kansas City Chiefs football games. I love everything about the Chiefs! The deafening buzz of Arrowhead stadium, the Tomahawk, the K.C. Wolf and the players-one player in particular.
Eric Berry has been one of my favorite athletes for a long time, but recently he’s moved to the number one slot. Berry, a defensive back for the Chiefs, was a nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2015 because of his demonstration of great character. In 2014, he was diagnosed with cancer. The devastating news foreshadowed the end of his football career. Despite the diagnoses that stacked all the odds against him, Berry was back on the football field for the 2015 season! His return was a product of his mindset of determination and his attitude of perseverance.
In the press conference that followed his return to the football field, Berry had this to say,
“Fear nothing. Attack Everything.”
With cancer staring at him on the other side of the line of scrimmage, he could have called a timeout and walked off the field. Instead, Berry got down in his stance, gritted his teeth and tackled the sickness that threatened his life and his success as a football player.
What obstacles are we facing? What are we fearing? Maybe you’re anxious about your first day in an agriculture class. Maybe the search for a job or college is overwhelming. Maybe we are scared to compete in a new CDE. Maybe the obstacle that you are facing is much more serious. Even if we are facing a situation that is different or more frightening than anything we’ve ever faced before, we must attack it.
Just like in football and in life, obstacles and opportunities will always present themselves. As FFA members and leaders in agriculture, don’t fear them; attack them. Face your challenges and you will be successful!