In my last post, I wrote about joy and Taylor Swift.  My recent travels have reminded me of the importance of gratitude. Strangely, that brought to mind Ray Lewis.  

I appreciate Ray Lewis.  I’m from western Pennsylvania and a lifelong Steelers fan.  We despise the Ravens, and it would be heresy to say I love, or even like Ray Lewis. Therefore, the best I can do is to say I deeply appreciate #52.  I appreciate his interminable energy. I appreciate his passion. I appreciate the way he elevates those around him. 

One of my favorite of his messages deals with eagles and pigeons, a simplified version of Jim Rohn’s well-known idea that we “are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.” Lewis quotes a similar thought accredited to Craig Groeschel: “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future. The people you’re hanging out with today are shaping the person you will become tomorrow.”   In Lewis’s vision, there’s a problem if you’re an eagle flying with pigeons because pigeons can’t fly as high as eagles, so you must be flying too low. Though I think it a bit simplistic – we all have our “pigeon” moments – I do believe who we spend our time with matters. 

Last week, I attended the AAIE Conference in New York and had the chance to reconnect with people who have had a tremendous positive impact on my life. On the flight back to Brazil, I was overwhelmed with gratitude as I realized how deeply my professional and personal lives have been elevated by those fate brought close to me. Not only did they serve as models that pushed me to be better at what I was doing, but also inspired me to strive for things I had never envisioned. The four smiling faces in the photo above (left to right: Sue Easton, Lee Fertig, Barry Dequanne, and Jeff Lippman) all fall into that category. David Hanna (middle below between Jeff and me) does as well.

There are many reasons to worry about what the future holds.  One constant, however, is that we will all continue to be influenced to a large degree by those around us.  At EAB, we regularly ask students to reflect on their effect on their groups and their group’s effect on them.  Are they being inspired? Are they providing inspiration?  My wife, Bianca, and I have the same conversations at home with our three kids.  I believe it is vitally important, not only for our students and children but also for ourselves.

My trip to New York reminded me that throughout my life, I have been, and continue to be, surrounded by incredible people who have made me better, and whether near or far, I need to make sure to demonstrate gratitude to those mentioned above, and countless others, for elevating my life. 

David