Earlier this week, I got to do my favorite thing.
Even better than bike riding. I got to spend some time talking to about 40 high school students. For me, it doesn’t get any better than that.
It was an honor. The coach of a local high school basketball team invited me to talk to his young men about dreaming big dreams and setting big goals.
To conclude our time together, I showed the picture at the top of this post. It’s the hardest hill I’ve ever climbed on my bike – 3 miles long, 7% average gradient.
It also provides a stunning view from the top, with the wide expanse of the Mississippi River in the background.
I talked about teamwork, what it’s like when you encounter someone struggling up the hill. Do you just keep going, or do you offer to help? Do you share some of your courage – that’s called ENCOURAGE?
That, of course, is what teammates do. And then I wrapped up.
When you help someone get to the top of a tough hill like this, where do you end up?
Of course, you end up at the top as well.
But, even better, you get to share this magnificent view with someone who understands the sweat and service and sacrifice it took to get there.
That’s what teams, and communities, are all about.
And absolutely nothing is better than that!
Cool thing – this has very little to do with playing basketball or riding bikes.