Unspoken Lessons
Yes, it’s that time of year again. High school football, band, volleyball, cheer, and cross-country seasons are all officially underway. It’s also time for those 3 emotionally charged words: “Back to school.”
As I reflect on how this time of year impacts our lives, I can’t help but think about my old friend Ed Thomas. This was Ed’s favorite time of year and he was always passionate about starting a new season of growing young people. We’ve shared many inspiring quotes that Ed Thomas spoke during his life. Today, I want to share a few important lessons we can learn from Ed Thomas using examples of things you never heard Ed say. I think his unspoken words can leave us all with a mirror to look into.
-
Ed Thomas was one of the most prepared and hardest working people I’ve ever known. Yet, I never heard him say in any form, “I worked so hard.” We all know people who accomplish much less and still like to tell others how hard they work. There’s a mirror for us.
-
Ed never said, “It’s not my job,” or “I don’t get paid to do that.” He was a role model for the job description called “Do your job.” He did not punch in or out. What he considered to be required of him exceeded anything I ever saw from anyone else. He was truly a man built for others with no limits on time, effort, or caring.
-
We all know Ed Thomas had strong leadership qualities. He never said, “I am a leader,” or “I am your boss.” He was never focused on the title. When I hear people in the media telling others how they are leaders, I think of Ed. If you truly are a leader you don’t need to tell others, they will know.
-
“I have to go to work today,” or “I wish I didn’t have to go to work today.” Yep, I never heard Ed say those things either. Ed probably felt that way a few times, but what good does it do to say it? When you worked beside him, he made you feel like he loved every second of his job. That attitude became contagious to those around him.
-
"FFF" or Faith, Family, and Football. This is not something Ed thought of or ever said. It is a way that others used to describe him. It truly was how he prioritized his life. Ed gave us this example by how he lived every day.