One Shot

 "Look if you had one shot or one opportunity, To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment. Would you capture or  just let it slip."

I had done this once before, talk to nine hundred and fifty eager, wonderful young men they wanted to hear the words an America  might tell them.  My friends and students hopefully know that my words and thoughts are not any more valuable than yours.  But I had an audience that really wanted to listen, and so I was blessed with an opportunity to maybe reach a dozen out of nine hundred.  

I wanted to tell them that Lila made Lydia a better student and chasing them Maria would gain valuable lessons that she might not get again.  I wanted them to know that Kate and Mary made each other better and Jack made himself a great student. I wanted to tell them that I loved them and believed in them.  No matter what.  Father Boyle sign my book, "No matter whatness" many years ago at Nerinx.

And I wished I still had that book in my possession, but just maybe someone else picked it up, read the quote, read the book, and maybe lived the lesson better than I.

Okaali John, gave me a wonderful introduction.  So it was set up, all I had to do was carry the ball across the goal from the one. I asked them if they worked hard and raise their hands if they did.  They all raise their hands.But my american students they get up at four thirty every morning to begin their school day, so yeah, I think all of them should have put their hands up.  I then asked look to your left and look to your right. And raise your hand if you think you work harder than those two people. I wanted them to have the confidence of my recently graduated eighth graders, who knew their efforts were extraordinary?And were always trying to out do their peers.  

I then asked them, how many of them believed in themselves. Most raise their hand it was a good day to be a man who was blessed with this opportunity to speak. I'm coming home with a 150 Letters written by ugandans who want to know my students.  I am hoping these letters encourage, all of us to think outside of our bubble and to appreciate so many others in the world who work so hard and deserve our acknowledgment not our hatred.

The students of St. Peter's College wull do just  by not listening to my words and listening to themselves.  I have learned listen listening to others and listening to yourself are not mutually exclusive and sometimes the best path forward is to take your own steps with the advice of good people around you.