Follow Through

"L cookie jar!"

While that phrase may seem random and meaningless it has become a resounding phrase spoken time and again in our driveway.

My son has taken to task with playing various sports including basketball. And I'm making every attempt to teach him the proper form of shooting in the most kid friendly way possible; hence the phrase, "L cookie jar!"

With his feet square to the basket, the ball lying on his fingertips with his arm shaped in the form of an "L," we elevate our legs and extend our reach as if we're peering into the almighty cookie jar on the counter. And for the finale of our form, "Hold your follow through!"

Life is no different. We create a plan of what we hope to accomplish. Slam dunks, one handed runners in the lane, jump shots from the corners or off the glass, and even 3-pointers way beyond the arc. We hope to develop the mechanics and formation of some intended result.

We come from a respected family in our community, graduate with honors, attend the college of our choice, begin a lofty career, marry our high school sweetheart, have cute and adorable kids, and start filling the buckets of extravagant vacations, all the while hoping that the retirement account will hold steady as we approach the end of our careers. It's the American Dream!

But just like my son, we can rush through the motions with bad form or become so short-sighted that we forget to hold our follow through. And the end result can leave us watching mediocrity creep in to our otherwise hopeful attempts to excel.

We live in a world that can garner all the necessary information made available through Wikipedia, TED Talks, and YouTube videos to be highly successful but information alone cannot replace commitment. Initiating a plan does not guarantee success or promise its completion.

While this generation is willing to take a stand for many causes and issues, does it have the wherewithal to see it through to the end? Not necessarily making the most noise, creating the most riots, or gaining the most media attention; but simply choosing to do the right thing for the right reasons.

The greatest legacy we can leave is to ensure the social fabric of society has the proper form and follow through for the next generation. While chasing the American Dream is much to be admired, perhaps it's not the greatest accomplishment in life worth pursuing.

I know it may sound silly but what if the lessons I'm teaching my son in our driveway are the most important lessons he'll ever learn in life. Do it the right way, every time, until its complete. Don't quit. Don't take shortcuts. Don't put it off on someone else. Commitment in the face of adversity, choose to stay the course when it's difficult, find meaning in the midst of the mundane.

It's this commitment that leads to a development in our character that makes our Dad proud!