This week in world and local news, we’ve seen the horrible impact that fighting and contention can have—and it’s not just on a global scale, but also right down to our own personal relationships with those around us.
One of the perks of my job is I get to hear the triumphant stories of young athletes who are continually encouraged and supported by their parents, other family members and coaches at whatever level they play.
They achieve success largely in part because of the loving relationships they have all around them.
I get to see, first-hand, the power of positive reinforcement and how one kind word, deed or seemingly small instance of affirmation can boost a spirit and provide life-changing motivation.
Let me share one such story from a mother I know who vividly remembers a turning point in her daughter’s young life.
She begins:
When my daughter, Olivia, was 7-years old, her Paramount Elementary School adopted a “movie star” theme and even hung popular movie posters in the hallways. Every month, the principal honored students in an assembly for their outstanding qualities as a “Paramount” student, otherwise known as a “STAR Student.”
During the monthly assembly, one student from each class was recognized for demonstrating positive qualities around their peers.
As the end of the school year approached, one day Olivia ran through our front door to announce that she had been selected as the next “STAR Student” and asked if I would attend the assembly. With a big smile on my face, I let my daughter know I would not miss it for the world!
Olivia’s “STAR Student” quality was that of Initiative and, later that night, she asked me what the word “initiative” meant. I explained to her that it means she is responsible and does things without needing to be asked. It means that others can count on her.
The next day, I found Olivia busy in the kitchen wiping down the table and doing her chores. It dawned on me that she took her Initiative Award to heart. I said, “Olivia, what you are doing right now is showing ‘initiative’ and I am so proud of you for the example you are setting!”
She thanked me, tried to hide her smile, and kept working.
As her mother, I know that STAR Award was a turning point in Olivia’s life. From that day on, she went out of her way to help others, to do her homework and chores without being asked, and to become the self-motivating adult that she is now.
Through this honor and because of her hard work ethic, she implemented new patterns of positive behavior that served her well throughout her life.
Eventually, Olivia graduated high school with a 4.3 cumulative GPA and then in April of 2022 graduated from college as a registered nurse and last summer married the man of her dreams, Jon Cromer—all of this before turning 21 years old!
There is no doubt in my mind that the STAR Award for Initiative had something to do with her achieving so much.
Let us not underestimate the value of recognizing our children for their efforts. Recognition may come through words of encouragement or by expressing gratitude for the work put in.
Or it might come in the form of a “STAR Award” or even via a media post or article recognizing the hard work that is being recognized by others.
The mother in this story I know pretty well: it’s my wife, Bonnie, who now works for Extra Inning full time and is a partner/CEO in the company!
She recognizes first-hand how positive recognition can literally be life-changing—in the case of her daughter, Olivia, it was in elementary school—but the effects can be infinitely productive be they in the realm of athletics, academics or just simply in personal one-to-one interactions.
May we all remember that, with whomever we’re dealing with, we focus on the positive and uplifting as the circumstances merit it.
I’ve seen up-close and personal how it changes lives!
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball
