Kindness - Part of the Program

"Kindness is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of confidence." - former Secretary of State Colin Powell, in "It Worked for Me."

Years ago, on social media, someone on social media sent me a message. I hadn't seen him since high school. "You were always nice to me." He wasn't a varsity player, but he was part of the program.

That meant a lot. Not every day went smoothly. 

Part of MVB culture is inclusion. 

• Don't make it about star status or graduating class.
• Be a mentor for younger players. 
• Share tips. "Sometimes a great pass attempt isn't as helpful as a good pass completion." Great pass attempts can turn into overpasses or trap the setter at the net.
• Support your teammates because everyone has a bad day. 
• "A kind word goes a long way."

Over a decade ago, I complimented Kayla Wyland's parents about her consistently great demeanor. Her Mom said, "She's just as nice and helpful at home." 

You build your resume one day at a time. 

"To the world, you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world."

Lagniappe. In baseball, there's a saying, "Slow feet, quick hands." LP makes an argument for "simpler hands and faster feet."