Finding Time to Do Something That Has Been Apart of You For a Long Time...Priceless

Announcing sporting events had been a huge part of my life when I was in high school and college. There were several Friday and Saturday nights spent in old gyms, high school stadiums and small college venues calling the action for local radio and television stations. Calling games had been a big part of my life during that time and I look back on those times with great memories.

When college ended, I entered "the real world" and didn't have much of an opportunity to call games at all. I spent a lot of time adjusting to life after college but didn't spend a lot of time in old gyms, high school stadiums or small college venues calling the action. Something that had been a big part of my life wasn't there anymore.

Right before 2011 began, I received an e-mail from a neighbor of mine asking if I would be interesting in calling a Solon hockey game for the local community station. I hadn't called any type of sporting event in a couple of years and couldn't belief an opportunity presented itself. I said yes and ended up having a blast when I called the game two days later.

One year later, another opportunity presented itself to call two Solon hockey games and a wrestling match. I immediately said yes to these opportunities because I wanted to call the games again. I didn't care where and when the game or match was going to be played; I wanted to be in front of the microphone again.

The first game I called was a hockey game between Solon and Brecksville-Broadview Heights and the experience started to bring back great memories. The action was back and forth and as the game went into overtime, I couldn't help but be in the moment. It reminded me of so many close games I had called before and realized how much fun I was having behind the microphone again.

Not too long after that hockey game, I had an opportunity to call a Solon vs Maple Heights wrestling match. I personally hadn't been to a match in a couple of years and couldn't wait for the opportunity. Within the first couple of matches, I knew I was having fun again and couldn't help but feel grateful for the experience.

In both of these instances and with the second hockey game I would call a couple weeks after the wrestling match, I couldn't help but realize how much fun I had. Calling games had been a big part of my life in high school and college and on three separate occasions, I was able to do something I love once again. It was on a small scale but it didn't matter; what mattered was I had the opportunity to do something that had been apart of my life for a long time.

Take Time To Be Grateful

As the year is coming to a close, you may be looking back at both the good and the bad from the past year. Every year is different but there are usually good points and moments to be grateful for during that time. Before the year ends, take time to really think about the good moments from the past year and be grateful for those times.

To start off, take time to be grateful for those you have met and helped you along the way. Chances are, you came across people who helped you professionally or personally during the year. These people may have helped get you through a rough situation, may have helped you land a position or been a shoulder to cry on at times. Take a few moments to remember who was there for you during the good times and the bad, the people who were the first to say congratulations when you landed that big promotion or job, or who were always there for you no matter what. Take time to realize who these people are and find a way to say thank you.

Once you have done that, take time to be grateful for any goals you have accomplished. When looking back at where you were at previously, you may realize you have come along way from a certain point. Take a few moments to realize where you started, what path you took and how far you came from a previous point. You might end up being surprised as to how far along the path you have walked and how much you have accomplished.

Lastly, take time to realize what lies ahead for you and what opportunities may arise. Take time to realize what can be ahead in your future, how these opportunities came about and why you are excited. Having a solid foundation with opportunities is an incredible thing to be grateful for and be thankful for what is in store.

Before the year is over, take time to be grateful; you might be surprised as to how much you have in store for you.

A Postive Attitude: It's Contagious

A positive attitude is contagious. I understand you have probably heard that line many times before but think of it this way; how often do you feel better when you come across those who are pleasant, happy and willing to share the same feelings? How many times have you sat through an assembly, program or speech where the person speaking was positive, energetic and could transfer that energy to the crowd? Chances are, you’ve come across those who maintain a positive attitude and felt that attitude was contagious.

Being positive may not always be easy but can make the environment you are in more pleasant and enjoyable. For example, one of the reasons I enjoy going to Mavis Winkle’s Irish Pub in Twinsburg and Independence is because the people who work there are always positive and fun to be around. The servers enjoy talking to the patrons, they take time to know the people they are serving and makes the atmosphere inside the place more enjoyable. It’s apparent the positive attitude the employees have spreads to the people eating the awesome food inside the restaurants and makes for a great dining experience. The business they are in is not always easy to have a positive attitude in but the friendliness and positive feelings the employees have becomes contagious inside the restaurant.

Even though there are times in which being positive can be difficult, taking a lighter view can help get you through the process. Let’s say you are a college student and have a 20 page paper to write. Writing the 20 page paper may not be easy to do, does not sound like fun and may be boring but how you choose to handle the experience can make a difference. Instead of taking a “this will never get done” attitude, try taking an “I will get this done attitude.” Create a step-by-step plan to finish the paper in sections, set deadlines for yourself and believe in yourself that it can be done and you will do a good job. This will help you stay motivated during the process, help you feel better about yourself and give you a positive way to channel the anxiety of writing the paper. Taking a positive approach to a difficult situation is not always easy but can be done.

When thinking of taking a negative attitude towards a situation, think of the times you have come across others who weren’t pleasant or nice when they needed to be. How many times have you gone into a coffee shop, retail store, etc. and the person assisting you acted as if he or she didn’t care or didn’t want to be there? How did you feel when you walked away? What impression did that person leave? This negative attitude obviously came across and left you with a negative experience. Remember how this experience felt and ask yourself if that is the impression you want to leave one someone else.

While there may be instances in which taking a positive attitude is not easy, possessing a positive vibe can be contagious to those around you and leave a great impression.