Personal Reflection

A521.3.4.RB

In your Reflection Blog, recall two or three situations from your childhood or early adulthood that had a formative impact on you. Describe the situations and relate how they impacted you. Pick situations that have affected how you act and feel in an organizational or team-based environment.

It’s difficult to imagine any aspect of my life that has not been shaped or impacted by my mother’s examples of sacrifice, extraordinary work ethic and kindness to others. As a single mother of three boys, my mother had her hands full, to say the least. We constantly moved and bare essentials were always scarce. In fact, ever since I can remember and even still to this day, she has always worked two jobs. Back then she did so out of necessity, but now, more to remain in movement. I saw first-hand the difficult and exhaustive efforts it took for her to provide for her family while rarely asking for help from others. Through many of the “long days” and challenging times, she remained dedicated and kind. Demonstrating to us that hard work and thoughtfulness to others is paramount. Furthermore, that even when situations arise that tax the mind, body, and soul, acting negatively outward towards others is never acceptable. Having such a powerful example has served me well throughout my own experiences in sports teams, college, military service, deployments, and now within my family. Perhaps one of the most significant benefits my mother’s efforts had on me in a personal and professional setting, can best be summed up an Ian Maclaren’s quote, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” Treating other with dignity and respect is important. That it is also important to be accountable for ourselves and those we are responsible for.

Another situation that has a significant impact on me occurred during my senior year of high school (HS). My HS football program put on its first ever pop warner youth football clinic to in order to get the community kids involved in football and with the HS. Some of us football players were asked to assist the coaches by demonstrating certain drills and being an extra set of eyes. Having always been on the player side, this was my first real experience at transferring knowledge, methods, and technique to a less experienced person (player), supervising their progress and providing constructive feedback for improvement. By the end of the event, I was mentally and physically exhausted. Constantly speaking and “coaching,” I nearly lost my voice. Regardless of my physical state, I experienced an excitement and fulfillment seeing the kids put into practice their new found skills. Going through this experience from a coaching perspective, I realized how much work they put in, how they had to be two steps ahead and constantly provide feedback for the benefit others. It was at this point, I knew that I eventually wanted to be involved in working with and developing others. This experience set the stage for me to pursue a profession in military service and law enforcement. Coaching, mentoring and training others became a very important aspect to my personal and professional life. I believe that the knowledge and experience we pass on to others is vital, especially when it creates opportunities and guides them towards excellence.