(I’m about to share top-secret insight on how some of us men think, for any women out there reading this message).
Speaking for many of the men out there, we are nearing the end of “the Gauntlet”. The Gauntlet is the gifting cycle between Christmas and Mother’s Day that, if not planned for properly, can cause a lot of anxiety for men and create some unnecessary drama in the household.
For me, the Gauntlet is heightened because my daughter, wife, and mother all have birthdays in that same period, and I have a wedding anniversary thrown in there just to make it even more fun. Collectively, that’s 12 special days (3 Christmas’, 3 birthdays, 3 Valentines Days, 2 Mother’s Days, and a wedding anniversary) that must be uniquely coordinated in a span of four and a half months!
I’m exhausted and I’ve sent enough flowers to decorate a parade float!
But as fate would have it, as I was commiserating selfishly about my Gauntlet, I ran across a picture of my wife in the hospital two years ago on our anniversary. It was a very bad few days for her and us, but I shared it with her and reminded her of what I told her then about better days being ahead.
Gospel singer, Kirk Franklin, is featured on a Justin Timberlake song called “Better Days”. As the song opens, Kirk shares the following:
Some people come out of a storm better
Some people come out of a storm bitter
The difference between the bitter and the better
Is the compass of your heart
I think there’s tremendous power to the compass of your heart in how we are able to overcome challenges and obstacles. Whether it’s difficulties in the workplace or home, medical challenges that always emerge at the worst times, or the ongoing work required to achieve and live a fit and healthy life, the attitude we take in overcoming those obstacles can be the great equalizer.
At the Y, we know that every day is an exercise in being better tomorrow than we’ve been today. And as I was recently reviewing comments from members at our Leonard & Marjorie Williams Family Y who were thrilled with their experiences there, I also realized that there will need to be better days ahead at other sites and programs.
In the coming months, please look out for surveys we will be distributing to our members and program participants to help us focus on the areas of improvement that matter most to you. Together, we’re rebuilding our great YMCA and I thank you for your support along the way.
Until next time…
Kevin Bolding, President & CEO
YMCA of Central Florida
The Y. For a better us.®
First Friday messages offer a monthly peak behind the veil of leading through change from the Y’s President & CEO.