Soul mates. . .

I do not believe in "soul mates." The phenomena mostly comes from knowing someone very well and from having a lot in common. In that sense, I think that sort of relationship is possible with more than one person. I think "having a lot in common" is luck, but "knowing each other" takes energy to get there.

I believe that love is a decision. Sure, it is easier to decide to love someone if they "fit," but the butterflies will never last. Eventually, loving will take some effort. Doubting and wondering are human nature. Eventually, the grass always seems greener somewhere else.

Despite sounding unromantic, but there is more "hope" in believing that people can make it work than there is in believing that people might be stuck with the wrong mate. One can decide to love and in turn be more lovable. Searching for a single grain of sand in a desert sounds very sad.

Soul-mates make for better movies, though.

Leadership Kearney - Tim Peterson

Why do you get up in the morning?

Who am I becoming? What am I doing? Is that who I am called to be?

1) You can only focus on one thing at a time.
2) You can't avoid a "don't."
3) You move toward what you focus on.

Leadership Kearney - Ron Brown

Ron Brown was an assistant football coach at the University of Nebraska for 17 years. Being around such a successful program for so many years, he had a great vantage point to observe leaders. Ron chose three quarterback to exemplify traits that he belies are important for effective leaders: resilience, intensity, and humility

Scott Frost was a leader out to win the popularity contests. After the 0-19 loss to Arizona State in a season that NE was projected to make a run for the National Championship, Scott was completely crushed. Ron described him like a crumpled piece of paper that will never be the same again. Scott found it within himself (and through his faith) to bounce back. Eventually, he was resilient like a rubber ball.

Tommy Frazier personified intensity. He was focused on a vision. He set the tone for himself and others. On his first day of practice as a freshman, he stepped into a huddle of guys that were chatting and goofing around. Tommy had two words for them, "Shut up. When I am in the huddle, I am the only one talking." From that day forward he was. Tommy's teammates never elected him to be captain. He could be abrasive and too intense. Regardless, there was never any doubt who was the leader and where he was going.

Brooke Beringer stepped into to play quarterback when he and Tommy were both juniors. Tommy was healthy again when they were seniors and there was a battle for the starting position. Tom Osborne chose Tommy to be the starter. Brooke could have divided the team. He had nearly half of the team rooting for him and believing he had gotten a raw deal. Instead, Brooke stepped aside and pushed Tommy to be the best that he could be. Brooke was projected to be a 3rd round draft pick the following year before he was killed in a plane crash. He was humble. An effective leaders requires a degree of humility. Ego Elephants eat, so no one wants to stand behind them.

Leadership Kearney - Steve Buttress

Steve gave a great speech about what it takes for a town to succeed and specifically, what Kearney has done right.

*No town has a guaranteed future.
*4 pillars - Industry and AG, Education, Medical, and Government
*"Earn then return." No, that is not enough. It needs to be immediate and ongoing: "Earn & Return"
*Show up and participate!
*Western Nebraska can expect $98 Billion in intergenerational wealth transfer over the next 40 years. There is money available for projects and ideas. We can make things happen.
*We need to get past Leadership Kearney graduates more involved.
*Over the last 50 years, Hastings has grow about 10% and Kearney has grown 120%. The difference is the open leadership in Kearney. Hastings leaders are more elite and comfortable.