Fly Over States

A warm summer day, with a cool breeze blowing out of the north. To me, that sounds like a perfect day for a run. Call me crazy, but running is relaxing, and gives me a chance to be outside and enjoy nature. Living in a "fly over state" has its perks; because if it's one thing I enjoy most on my runs, it's the beautiful scenery.

On my regular run, I will run past cows, horses, a hay field, two wheat fields, and a couple of corn fields. There is no doubt that there are times that I take all of this for granted, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I consider my neighborhood (AKA the middle of nowhere) a fantastic picture of American agriculture. Every adjacent plot of land is growing something different, but at the same time they are all next to each other. It's diversity coming together that makes agriculture so amazing.

It's moments like this that I get little snapshots of all the beauty the land has to offer and a chance to reflect on all of the hard work that was put into it. To the world, agricultural states like Kansas, Oklahoma, or Indiana are known as "fly over states", as Jason Aldean points out in his song. He says that people take these places for granted. However, he points out that these are some of the most beautiful places in the country, filled with the most hard-working people that you will ever meet. If you haven't already done so, try to meet "the man who plowed that earth and planted that seed" and thank him for all that he has done.

Whether we live near "a bunch of square corn fields and wheat farms," or we're in the plane that's flying over them, we all have a hand, and an impact, in agriculture. How can we make sure that we are making a positive impact? Do we take American agriculture for granted? How can we show ourselves and others the importance of agriculture?

As FFA members, we have the opportunity to not only experience and learn about agriculture, but to advocate it as well. By developing those qualities of leadership (which an FFA member should possess), our voices can be heard in our communities, in our States, and in our nation. How can we show people what it means to be a part of a "fly over state"?

Here's a picture I stopped to take while going down the (miles and miles of) back roads.

Kansas FFA, we out!

Back to the Basics

Many times life becomes really busy and hectic. At these points in time I am often reminded to return to the basics and just go with what is natural and simple.  In a nutshell three things are my go-to basics:
1. Quotes- I tend to find peace in the words in rough times
2. Outdoors- Experiencing nature in the most pure form is remarkable every time
3. Music- I get lost in music, the beat and rhythm have the ability to change my mood instantly

In our lives, what are the basics that we can go back to when we have a rough day?  What brings us inner peace and happiness?  Out of the complicated things in our day to day life, what is the most basic and fundamental thing that brings you joy?

 Here are some of my favorite quotes:

Strive not to be of success, 

but rather to be of value. 

-Albert Einstein

Adopt the pace of nature

her secret is patience.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Trust your struggle.

-Anonymous

A society grows great when

old men plant trees whose

shade they know they 

will never sit in. 

-Greek Proverb

Stay Classy Kansas FFA

New Perspectives

For some of us this year was the first time we had the opportunity to experience National FFA Week and all that it offers to students majoring in agriculture and FFA members across the nation. For others, it was the fifth or sixth time we have experienced National FFA Week which I would like to call its own holiday; for me this was the case.  I have had a multitude of different FFA week experiences; however none of them quite compared to this year. I got involved in different events outside of my home chapter which allowed me to have a different perspective of the so-called holiday to those of us who eat, sleep, live and breathe FFA.  

Take a moment to think about how it can be refreshing to see a different perspective of the "same view."

Packaging food at Harvester's

To kick-off FFA week the state officer team started at the state capitol in Topeka where we visited with Secretary of Agriculture Dale Rodman and Governor Sam Brownback as well as Senate Aricultural Committee Chair Garrett Love.  In each one of these different meeting we saw a different perspective of the Kansas government and what different views these individuals had about agriculture.  In addition to this we were also introduced on the House of Representatives Floor which for me was a whole new perspective of the law making process. We also helped to kick off the Neighbors to Neighbors Food Drive at Harvesters.  

On a cold Tuesday morning, Denver and I were blessed with the opportunity to interact with the Wilson FFA Chapter. We learned more about the three circles of the agricultural education model from a facilitator’s perspective instead of a students while we shared more about the model to seventh and eighth graders.  We also discovered more about personal securities and self-confidence and how both of those aspects are important to help us grow into the people we are destined to become. 

Wilson FFA Members

Later that afternoon we visited with a past state officer who served in 1957-58 and was the Kansas National Officer Candidate.  Getting his view of what FFA and agricultural education meant was a totally different view which provided me with an opportunity for personal growth.  By coincidence I actually knew this man.  He lives rather close to me and I have hunted on the ground right next to his.  It was interesting to learn about him from a different viewpoint than the man who we spoke to on the road in passing. 

Lloyd Oswald (past state officer) 

The Ellis FFA visit was one where we also had the opportunity to learn more about the three circle model and we spent time getting to know the eighth graders on a more in-depth level. 

Over the next week or so I challenge you to think about things that you do every day from a different perspective and see what changes you might make or what growth opportunities you can find.

Stay Classy Kansas FFA

Celebrate Everyday

Many times throughout the year we throw parties to celebrate a certain occasion, often times with a cake or balloons and maybe even one of those fun piñatas. Recently, I have had several reasons to celebrate; K-State winning the Big 12 Championship, my godchild’s second birthday, my dads’ 50^th birthday and many more.  Every one of these occasions resulted in some mutual feelings of happiness, thankfulness and praise.  But what if we celebrated like we won the Big 12 every day?

The evening of the final K-State home football game was a special one.  Team mate and friend Glendolyn, or as I affectionately call her Coco and I stormed the football field after the win over Texas to secure the Big 12 Championship title.  It was the celebration of a lifetime and something I will always remember.

My godchild Addalyn who I refer to as Boo, is the most important person in my life.  She celebrates like there is no tomorrow including when she goes on the big girl potty and says to me “still dry”.

 

If we could have the mentality  like Coco and  myself after the game or like Boo during potty training we would be celebrating every day.  It sounds like a great plan in theory but I will be the first to admit sometimes things go wrong that lead us to throw ourselves a pity party not a celebratory one.  As difficult as it may seem sometimes life is about picking up what happened and moving on while trying to find the good in the situation.  No, it most certainly isn’t always easy but life is so much sweeter when we learn to celebrate the little things like hitting every green light on the way to school, or acing a test, or even having the extra time for a nap during the day. 

With this New Year I challenge all of us to celebrate every day for whatever reason and if we can’t find a reason here is a great one; we are alive, and the sun will come up tomorrow.

Stay Classy Kansas FFA

Like A Skyscraper

Driving around, windows down, music blurring; this scene is an all too familiar one for my friends and I. This is always a great time and a great stress relief. Do you ever feel like you’re just burly keeping your head above the water, avoiding complete submersion? Stress is a daily part of life, its not whether we have it in our lives, it’s how we deal with it. Cruising around the great town of Manhattan one day with my friends the song “Like a Skyscraper” by Demi Lovato came blasting through the speakers. As sat in the back seat thinking about the long list of things I needed to do and everything I had on my plate the song lyrics finally hit me. “Go on and try to tear me down. I will be rising from the ground, like a skyscraper.” It’s a great motivational song, but the question is how do we rise? In a perfect world it would be easy but we all know different. So below are five tips that can be used to survive a stressful day or week and truly rise like a skyscraper:

Time Management and Organization-
Alan Lakein once said “Time = life, waste your time and waste your life, or master your time and master your life.” When things get hectic and crazy this is always the first thing I throw out the window for some reason. In all reality it should be one of the first things I do to prepare myself for what’s a head. A simple planner or notebook to write down all the important dates and the all too vital To-Do List can make a big difference. The first step is to calm yourself down and get your feet firmly planted on the ground.

Goal Setting and/or Action Plan-
This tip flows right along with the time management and organization. I find it very valuable after I get my head back on straight to think about my goals for the day or the week. I start by answering these two questions: What do I need to get done and when does it have to be finished? After I have those questions clearly answered and written down I create a plan and some goals on how to get them done. It might sound silly but it works. When I create this plan I turn heavily to the resources around me to insure I get them done and done well. No one said you have to go it alone. I am blessed to have five amazing teammates who will help me in any way they can, whether that’s helping me study or giving me a ride to class. Everyone has resources they can turn to in their lives so why not use them. Resources are only valuable if we use them.

Support-
This one my sound funny however we all have those people that we go to for a quick pick me up or a simple reassurance that we can in fact survive. These people could include your family, friends and teachers. Being the mama’s boy I am, I always seem to be calling my mom. She is there to talk things through at all times and helps me form my action plan. Just having a conversation with people like this in your life about what’s happening can make it feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. It’s never good to leave things bottled up in your brain.

Sleep-
This is the second thing I always mange to cross off my list when things don’t go as planned. A good night’s sleep can insure that your body can work at maximum potential. It may seem like a pointless waste of time however it really is one of the most important. The average person needs between 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. When you are sleeping your brain is going to work, converting the day’s learning into memory and reenergizing the body. Sleep can affect how you feel, your relationships, your productivity and your quality of life.

Stress Relief-
One of my favorites: stress relief! For me when one thing goes wrong it seems like everything starts going wrong. It is very easy to become frustrated when things in life don’t go as planned but don’t ever let stress win! How do you battle stress? The answer to this question is quiet simple, whatever makes you happy. For me sugar and good music makes it to the top. These two things can make my worries and anxieties slip away. Some of my friends enjoy sitting down and reading a book to get away from it all. Whatever it is for you, make sure you do it. You only have one life to live so you might as well enjoy it. Life may not be the party you plan for but while you’re here you might as well dance!

So the next time things get a little stressful and you don’t know how you’re going to stay afloat try the things listed above. The funny part of life is that it never slows done and time never stops so even when it feels like there is no tomorrow I can assure you that the sun will rise and the world will continue to spin. I can also assure you that life is going to tear you down every so often but the question is: Will you be rising from the ground like a skyscraper?

Need some Motivation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_8ydghbGSg&ob=av2e

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn676-fLq7I

Self Improvement - A Continuous Drive

What does eating black-eyed peas, wearing red, kissing at midnight, checking the direction of the wind and making a lot of noise have in common? These are all the traditional ways people around the world bring in the New Year. With the New Year officially starting only days ago it is a time filled with people thinking about a fresh start focused on personal growth to insure they have a better year then the one they are leaving.

However for me that started days earlier. At this point the majority of you reading are lost. How can I make a fresh start during the final weeks of 2011? However why must we wait for time to tick by for us to grow and make improvements? New Years day is like any other day of the year, the sunrises and then sets and time marches on. Now I am not saying resolutions aren’t a good thing. Researchers say people who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don't explicitly make resolutions. The question is why can’t we make resolutions year round? The need to embark on a journey of self-improvement shouldn’t have to be marked on a calendar. Webster describes the word RESOLUTION as a firm decision to do or not to do something. That definition didn’t come with a time stamp. To me a resolution is nothing more than a goal. The word goal doesn’t seem nearly as complex and complicated as the word resolution.

GOAL SETTING is nothing new to a lot of people. The basics to forming a solid goal follow the S.M.A.R.T. method. Meaning the goal must be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Bound. But where do we start and how do we set out on sticking to and achieving a resolution or a goal?

One day on my winter break I was surfing Facebook when I happened upon a link that took me to an awesome blog that helped me to answer that question. The blog entry was talking about dealing with change and the author made the solution simple: simply stick to our purpose. They entry stated this:

“Purpose is what makes your life worth living. It is what drives our decisions, direction and attitude. If we seek purpose in our actions here on earth, then change becomes our alley, our "side-kick" that helps us do good.”

The same can be applied when trying to develop our goals or resolutions. If we center our goals around our purpose we will surely succeed. So the next question, how do we develop our purpose? Unfortunately I don’t have a direct answer to that question. I can only provide some tips. Each person on this earth is different and unique. Therefore no two people on this earth will have the same purpose. Each will vary. There are a couple things that are certain for sure: ONLY YOU and YOU ALONE can find and discover YOUR PURPOSE.

Look at your life, what you have achieved or what you didn’t then look towards your future, what do you what to achieve?

Another thing that is certain for sure is that New Years day will continue to happen as long as we live. Things will continue to change in our lives. Time marches on. Lets use that valuable time towards our advantage and seek out SELF-IMPROVEMENT YEAR ROUND!

The Power of One

96,783. This is not the number of calories in a box of Lucky Charms, miles on my truck or the number of times I have logged into Facebook. 96,783. This number represents exactly how many “Kurt’s” there are in the United States.

In my day-to-day life I will admit at times I simply want the day to end, not always looking towards the future and the impact I could be making. However one evening the number 96,783 appeared and the question arose, how was I going to make an impact and not just be part of the five-digit number in front of me. The first thought in my head was simple; I had a hard enough time getting through my own day how can I possibly stand out and make an impact. I became very discouraged but then two stories were told that changed my mindset.

The first was that of an un-respected woman with little rights. She worked long, hard days and had a hard time getting through her own day. She had a choice one-day, a choice to stay with the status quo, get pushed around and simply get through the situation or to stand up for herself and the others around her. She took the latter option. She got arrested and put in jail. But she sparked an entire movement, a movement that would change the entire world. You know her as Rosa Parks. Congress as identified her as “the mother of the freedom movement”. By choosing to violate laws and stay sitting that day on the bus, she stood out and made an impact by using her Power of One.

The second was that of a man named Schicklewuber. As a boy he never learned about character. His parents never taught him wrong from right. He was put down when he talked about becoming a priest and insulted when he spoke of becoming an artist. He was never valued or taught values. He put up an emotional wall and never let anyone inside. He grew up and became a leader and used his Power of One. You know him as Adolf Hilter and we also all know his terrible impact.

These two individuals both had something in common; they both used their Power of Ones. They both stood out of the crowd and made an impact but one for great things and one for terrible things. Currently there are 312,325,336 people in the United States and 6,965,275,004 in the world. Our population is ever changing and growing and great leaders are needed more and more each day.

I challenge you to go to the following link and find out how many people share your name:

http://howmanyofme.com/search/

Put this number on a note card and place it in somewhere where you will see it EVERYDAY. Mine is on my ceiling next to my goals, it’s the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing when I go to bed at night. It helps me to remember to make that impact and stand out from the multiple other “Kurt’s”. One more number to consider, 15. Every seven seconds someone is born, every 13 seconds someone dies. This amounts to a net gain of one person every 12 seconds. That means since the time you began reading this, 15 more people have entered the world population. How will you use your Power of One to impact the future?