Celebration, Perspective, and the Extraordinary!!
Last night I had the privilege to attend the Louisiana High School Athletic Association’s Banquet to celebrate 10 individuals being inducted into the LHSAA Hall of Fame.
I was there, and so was my family, because my father-in-law, Mitch Small was 1 of the 10. 
We watched a 10 minute video of each Inductee where their contributions and achievements were highlighted. It was inspirational and I’m grateful to have been able to hear each one’s story and the journey they traveled.
Events like this always leave me supercharged to think big, dream big, and to believe I can do anything I choose. They are fun and exciting.
Celebrating is easy and comes natural.
And then I begin to reflect and plan – and to observe and learn from those who we celebrated.
What is it about them, their decisions, their values, behaviors, and all the things that went into their journey that led to the celebration.
It’s in the process.
And, the process is monotonous.
The daily decisions of putting one foot in front of the other and staying the course, remaining committed, and sacrificing all the other things that are an option.
It’s putting off temporary happiness or satisfaction or easy — for the greater goal.
Flexing the muscle of delayed gratification.
It’s choosing to not be good at everything and being great at SOME thing.
It’s like choosing to be 10x instead of 2x. Narrowing their focus.
Cutting away other options, removing other choices, and saying NO to things when others would say YES.
AND – choosing that lifestyle …. Is not easy, not always fun, and therefore, not normal.
It’s easy to be a YES person. It’s easy to put out daily fires and react to all the stimuli that is put in front of us on a daily basis.
Most people do what’s easy.
So when you have people who achieve extraordinary accomplishments – they are people who say no to a lot of things and sellout to only a few things.
They do what’s not always easy.
They choose hard.
And so today, because I want extraordinary, I continue visit my goals, narrow my focus, and surround myself with the people who help me stay the course.
I lean into the intentional design of my environment that supports and influences my decisions toward the actions I need to become habits … that lead to extraordinary.
And lastly, about last night and my kids getting the opportunity to experience the celebration.
Because I know we grow into the conversations around us – and we become like the 5 people we spend the most time with – I’m grateful this morning for the exposure, the conversations, and the people that my kids got to experience last night.
GRIT – HARD WORK – SACRIFICE – COURAGE – TENACITY – LOVE OF THE GAME were all on full display.
Mitch & Celeste Jeansonne Small’s involvement and commitment to sports and athletes over the years have given my kids a front row seat and I know they are better humans because of it.
I’m grateful to be a part of the ride and experience and enjoy dreaming alongside my kids about what their future can hold when they choose to be intentional.
Congratulations Mitch on seeing your hard work and commitment pay off and to be recognized. 
