Uncategorized – Page 13 – Brandon Baumgarten

Power at a Pizza Parlor

“Your Life is like a Pizza. It could be Round, it could be Square.
But you’ll enjoy it most of all, when it’s something that you share.”-Unknown

As I was on my way back from a trip to the city, I decided to take an early dinner and stopped at a nearby CiCi’s Pizza. I sat down to eat my food and I begin to really think about how our life is like a pizza. You see, I believe like a pizza, everyone has those special ingredients that makes them unique. We all have special gifts, talents, and skills that we can offer to put the “extra topping” on our impact. Contrary to what many believe, these special abilities we have aren’t just for our own gain or benefit, we need to share what we have and help others by providing them with a slice of our love, leadership, and passion. As I was thinking this, I grabbed my pen and I was going to write a new article for the introduction of my new e-newsletter, but something else caught my attention……..

Before I could even write anything, I begin to hear this very subtle cry, almost in the form of a whisper coming from the back of the restaurant. I couldn’t quite see who was crying, so I got up from my seat and went to the back to get a refill of my soda. As I did, I noticed that the crying I heard was coming from a mom and her two teenage boys. Their plates of food untouched, their heads were down, and their tears ran from their eyes to the table and floor. As soon as I saw this, I thought about reaching out to them, but I was hesitant in fear of looking awkward and nosy. So, I went back to my seat and went to start again, but as soon as I tried to write, I felt such a strong feeling of conviction, as if my heart had been lassoed and was being tugged over and over again. I then composed myself, and walked over to their table, and said, “Ma’am, I couldn’t help but notice, but are you guys okay?” She looked at me with her tear-filled eyes and said, “My sons and I just got the call that their Father, my husband, has just passed away in the hospital.” As soon as she said this, I looked at the two boys and their mother and did everything I could do to maintain my professionalism and composure, but, despite my efforts, the tears were now running down my face. I asked the Mom and two sons if I could pray for them right then, she responded brokenly, “Pray, please, pray.” We took each other’s hands right there in the restaurant and I begin to pray that God would unite their broken pieces, that He would be the Father to these Fatherless, and restore them with peace and comfort, and overwhelming assurance. It was a short prayer, but for those very few moments, I can tell you that there is NO other place in the world I would’ve rather been, for the presence of God was so evident and so heavy, that you could feel Him right there in our midst. And suddenly, you could see the Hope once again restored in their eyes! And folks, that is worth everything!
You see, we go to restaurants because we’re physically hungry, but how much greater is the hunger of those who are spiritually starved? As leaders, we must realize that People are Hungry for a Difference, Craving for a Change, and Starving for an Impact, the question is who will be willing to Feed them? Yes sir, Life is like a Pizza, because we have so much to share with those who are hungry, but how much are we willing to share? Today, I went to get a bit to eat, but instead I caught a Glimmer of Hope. What filled me today wasn’t the pasta, the pizza, or the salad, but instead, it was The Power felt at a Pizza Parlor! 🙂

#Food4Thought #HeWorksInWaysWeCannotSee

The “FROZEN” TRUTH

If you’re like the majority of Americans, then I’m sure you’re aware of the new movie release of Disney’s “Frozen”. I have seen this movie twice; once when my 9-year old sister begged me to take here to see it, so I opened the freezer door and showed her Frozen! (insert laugh or yawn here) Then, I watched the real thing with my family at the movies. However, the one thing that I took away from the movie and has yet to leave my mind is the song “Let It Go.” The song about a Queen who feels alone and ostracized because of her uncontrollable abilities has exploded with popularity. However, it’s been on my heart to share with you a different side of this song that the marketing department at Disney won’t share with you. In the opening verses of the song, Queen Elsa sings that “she’s in a Kingdom of Isolation and it looks like I’m the Queen.” Almost all the places I speak at, I’ve realized a constant theme I hear from students, it’s the belief that they feel like they are alone and no one cares about them. Many people tend to think they are alone because of their imperfections, their differences, & their home life. They feel alone because no one will reach out to them and tell them that they are worth something. They truly feel “FROZEN” in this world. Many even literally live out the line of “Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know”, because they feel desolate. In my own life, I have found that hurt coincides with silence, many people are quiet on the outside, but inside their hearts are crying out to be part of something, to belong, and to feel empowered. But there is hope found in those who answer the call and are willing to reach out to others. Every person whether they know it or not has an Influence and with that, you have the opportunity to impact a life for the better. Did you know that just by putting a positive status on Facebook or Twitter can make a difference? I was startled to find that over 75% of public school fights are now inspired by at least 1 negative post or comment on social media. In fact, the #1 school issue in America, isn’t drugs, chewing gum, bad academics, teen drinking, or pregnancy, the top issue is BULLYING. Imagine how much different our world would be if we just stopped, and decided to sit by the unpopular kids at lunch. What would happen if we reached out and showed sincere care to the people we don’t even know? What could happen if we gave a hurting person a shoulder to cry on and whisper the words “Let it Go” to them? What if we let all our pride and arrogance go and decided to change our generation regardless of what the “cool kids think”? Everyone matters.

I have a challenge for all my friends . Let’s bring the heat to our generation. Unlike Frozen’s Queen Elsa, people don’t have to feel frozen, because they’re not alone. Be the leader who goes above the norm, by challenging the status quo, and breaking the proverbial “ICE”. Reach out to others, give a smile to a smile less person, and be a friend to the friendless. The Frozen Truth is the fact that anyone can have an IMPACT on this world, but only if we’re willing to believe in it and do it. Bottom line: Be the leader who FREEZES fear and MELTS mediocrity. Leaders: It’s time for us to Live it up & LET IT GO!

I leave this final message to anyone who may be hurting tonight:

If you’re hurting, let it go!
If you have a grudge, let it go!
If you’re heart is burdened, get on your knees and pray for God to let it go!

“Let it Go, Let it Go, You’re Not Alone Anymore
Let it Go, Let it Go, You were Meant to Change the World.” -Remixed Lyrics

Finish Last: The Race to Impact

With Spring in full swing, the weather being somewhat consistent, and allergies flaring(mine included lol), it’s the perfect time of year to start running. That’s right, across high school and college campuses you’ll find students who run for fun. We runners, have stamina in our bones, and legs that often feel like jelly. What once was everyone’s only way of transportation has now become one of America’s favorite hobbies, sports, and exercises. As a lifelong asthmatic, many would’ve never guessed that I ran Cross Country in High School. My senior year I remember running against some of the best runners in the State and I envied their ability to accomplish so much within such short amounts of times. They were naturally good runners that could excel with little practice, whereas, people like me had to literally run our tails off just to be somewhat competitive. During my time, I was often asked what the crazy motives behind me running so much were. The fact is I enjoyed running, and going into it, I knew I wasn’t going to be the best one out there. In truth, the very first time I competed at a meet, I came in DEAD LAST. No joke. For me, it was about working hard by physically contributing to a team that I believed in. Eventually I was able to condition myself to the point where I was able to be competitive, but there was more to the story. Now, don’t get me wrong, I would’ve loved to have been able to achieve a medal in cross country, but the ultimate success didn’t come from the pursuit of a medal. The true rewards came from the experience of building my stamina, increasing my body’s endurance, and developing my dedication and character to the team. If you were to summarize all the rewards into one phrase, it would be coined as personal growth.

I tend to think that in life, every one of us can be characterized as a runner. We all have goals, dreams, and ambitions that we shoot for, but we must keep our perspectives and motives in check. There are 2 different types of runners in our world: people who are running from their fears, and then there are people who are sprinting toward their future. In our society, we put emphasis on the Super Bowl wins, the leadership roles, the champion livestock, the Academy Award nominations, the trophies, the finish line, and winning records. But the truth of the matter is that while these things are great accomplishments, these accolades don’t last. They fade away just as the sun fades into the night. We’re only on this planet for a short time and that should motivate us to do something that is lasting and memorable. And you may say, “Brandon, how do you do that?” Well, I will answer that by asking YOU a question, “If you are a runner of life then what are you competing for?”

Many people are competing for the titles, but fewer are truly competing for the Impact. Power Hungry Leaders care about their own benefit, but Servant-Minded Leaders care about the benefit of others. In recent news, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has become power hungry by threatening to take control over the Ukraine. Now, to the followers of my blogs in the Ukraine, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Putin has become tyrannical in the sense that he is competing against the powers of other nations to accomplish his own agenda. The well-being of the Ukraine is discouragingly being put aside and the pride of Putin is diminishing the positive impact he could’ve had as a leader. Bottom-line: selfishness breeds destruction, but selflessness breeds restoration.

I will be very frank with you: there are so many people in this world who are hungry for a Difference, craving for a Change, and starving for an Impact. The question is who will feed them? People’s lives are waiting to be changed; and the future of their success depends on your choice to leave that impact by running your race strong! In this world’s eyes, we may Finish Last, but that’s because we desire to achieve something that is far greater than 1^st place at the finish line. We Finish Last because we’re tired of the norm and dream of shattering the negative statistics of our generation. We Finish Last because we don’t seek power, we seek peace. We Finish Last, because we know that we run our race that is bigger than ourselves. I have a question for you, “Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others?” “Do you want to impact your generation in a very profound and lasting way?” “Are you willing to put yourself last, so that others may be first to experience your impact?’ If you do, then I challenge you to RUN YOUR RACE like never before, work hard, make the most of it, put others above yourself, reach out to people, kick your heart in gear, love the unlovable, be a servant, compete for the difference, shift your focus beyond the finish line, beyond the material things, SPRINT TOWARD YOUR FUTURE, and begin to put your sights on making your IMPACT a reality. My name is Brandon Baumgarten and I have already decided to Finish Last. The question is, “Will you?”

The Fundamental Test & A Devilish Idea

What is a building without a foundation? What is a painting without a canvas? What is a letter without the words? What is a song without a melody? All these things that I’ve mentioned are what we call fundamentals, principles, foundations. These are the things we hold most dear, they make us who we are and guide us. They are essential to making things what they are. Lately, people have been asking… me about the current fundamental tests facing the State of Oklahoma. In particular, the issue of implementing a satanic statue at the State Capital Building grounds. Now, I try to stray from political posts, but sometimes you can’t ignore the big elephant in the room. I know I may receive criticism for this post, but I’m willing to take that risk, I’m not trying to cram anything down anyone’s throat, I’m trying to make a difference by speaking the Truth. When I first heard this issue, I literally swallowed my gum and froze in perplexity. I couldn’t believe something like this had come to our neck of the woods. Some people have told me that this is a Freedom of Religion case and that a statue of Satan would provide variety to our state capital. I disagree. Folks, let’s be real with ourselves, that type of statue may provide variety to some people, but to the majority of people who live in this state, it would be a slap in the face to everything this state has stood for. In my opinion, this issue is a true test of our state’s moral fibers, values, Christian heritage, and therefore, a true test against our state’s fundamentals. I will be very frank with you, this issue really connected with me when I first heard it, for one being that I am an Agribusiness, Pre-Law major at OSU, and controversial laws really excite me, and I am a Christian, not because I go to church, not because it sounds cool, or is a great pick-up line, or it looks good on my résumé, it’s BECAUSE I believe that Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again for all of us and that by accepting Him into our hearts, we can live with HIM in eternity. That is my belief, and I believe that’s its time for our generation to stand up for our fundamentals. We have to stand for something. I did some legal research the other day and found some interesting things to combat the controversy. There was a Supreme Court case back in 2009, it’s called Pleasant Grove City v. Summum, this was where the Supreme Court ruled that although governments may accept monuments that are privately donated for display, the government is constitutionally NOT required to accept those privately donated monuments. This U.S. Supreme Court decision was unanimous and that decision gives me hope that this issue can be resolved and our Oklahoma fundamentals can be preserved. Even as a college student, I’m convinced that there are still some things worth fighting for, and our fundamental beliefs and values are absolutely worth the fight. I honestly don’t think the State of Oklahoma would accept a satanic monument, that alone would be a Devilish idea, and yet again, a Fundamental Test. But we all know that Good overcomes Evil, and that this fundamental test is one that Oklahoma can withstand and triumph.

The Ultimate Christmas Gift

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the nation.

Not a heart was stirring, not a one in Creation;

The stock markets were up, and the money was good.

But above all the wealth, a point went misunderstood;

The meaning of Christmas had become about sales

About making a buck and shopping travails;

It became about presents, food, and stores.

But let me assure you that Christmas is about so much more.

It’s about a gift that you can’t buy online;

It’s a gift that has forever changed countless lives.

No, this life-changing gift isn’t Bosley, ProActive, or Chick-Fil-A.

In fact, this gift was born in a stable surrounded by hay.

It was a beautiful starry night in Israel I’m told.

A night where a story would truly unfold.

An expecting women is told there’s no room in the inns.

But who would’ve thought this gift would erase man’s sins.

This gift would bring healing, goodness, and love.

This gift would point others to the Father above.

What kind of gift was given you ask?

Well, it was a gift that continues to last.

The gift was a boy who we know as Jesus.

He came to this earth to love us and lead us.

He would later die on a cross for you and me.

That one day our hearts would be finally free.

Free from our bondage, free from our sin.

Free from our depressions, and troubles within.

So the next time you celebrate this great time of year.

Remember that there is a reason behind all this cheer.

Christmas isn’t about money or big giant snowmen.

It’s about the will of God for all men.

Please know that God made you special and He loves you very much,

And Never will you find a love as such.

So Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night, may Christ be the center of our homes tonight. My final question to you tonight this is, Are you willing to accept “The Ultimate Gift” this Christmas? 🙂

Follow me on Twitter: @Brando_Baum

“A Corduroy Conclusion: My Thank You to FFA”

A couple weeks ago, I traveled from the National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY to my hometown of Oilton, OK. When I got home I began to unpack my luggage when at last I arrived to the final item I needed to put away.The final item was my FFA Jacket. As soon as I saw it, it hit me hard, for the past 7 years I had always dreaded the day when I would have to hang up my jacket for the last time. With a deep breath and tears a flowing, I hung up my jacket for its final time, I sat down and just looked at it hanging in my closet, remembering all the memories spent while wearing it. So many things came to my mind. In my FFA Jacket, I remember feeling the excitement of singing in the State FFA Chorus. I remember the rush of adrenaline I got while showing my market wether goats in the show-ring. I remember competing in countless speech contests because my Ag Teacher constantly believed in me, win or lose. I remember the jolt of joy I felt while hearing that I had been selected to serve as a state officer. I remember attending Alumni Camp as a Freshman and hearing the message of YOGOWYPI and it positively changed my life. I remember attending my first National Convention with my chapter and while traveling there, we went through the cornfields of Illinois, I couldn’t help but point and laugh at the corn, saying, “If you want to see a corny joke, just look out the window.” I remember eating lunch in Krebs, Oklahoma when a fellow FFA member came up to me and began to pray for God’s leading in my life. I remember debating in D.C. at State President’s Conference and presenting our 1st delegate proposal. I remember going out to the Panhandle of Oklahoma with 7 amazing individuals and presented the Way Out West Leadership Conference. I remember speaking to an Elementary School and seeing the smile on their faces when I told them two words: “You Matter”. I remember watching a boy who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer show a goat, struggling to find the strength to lead it, another exhibitor came by, grabbed his hand and helped him show with pride. I remember speaking to a group of heart-giving philanthropists about how the future of our young people is bright, as the Oklahoma FFA Foundation was recognized as the top non-profit in the state. I remember visiting with state officials and legislative leaders and witnessed the passion they possessed for Ag-Ed when they told me their FFA stories. I remember meeting an 8th grader at a leadership conference who told me his heart-breaking background, our conversation would soon later lead Him to Christ. I remember shaking hands with a former New Farmers of America advisor, who, even at the age of 87 in a wheel chair, with tears in his eyes tell me, that he still believed in that old corduroy. If only I could tell you every blessed memory I’ve had in a blue & gold jacket. Indeed, the jacket may fade, but the memories will forever remain. Words can’t express enough my gratitude to everyone involved in this journey. From the 1st day in Ag Class to the final tap of the gavel this past Saturday, it has been a TRUE HONOR to have been part of this organization. My mission has always been to impact one life for the better and to make a heartfelt connection with everyone I may come into contact with. If One life has been impacted, if One life has been touched, if One life has been influenced than I consider my time in the jacket a success. I pray that someone’s life was positively changed and that one more person’s heart would be impacted. THANK YOU to each and every person who has supported, assisted, and contributed to my personal growth in this organization, from my pursuits in chapter office, state office, and national office. If there was one thing I could leave you with is that: Everyone has a Voice, Everyone has a Message, Everyone has SOMETHING TO SAY. Never stop believing in the impact you can make on someone’s life. You are more than a member. You are more than an individual. YOU A ARE POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE MAKING. Ask now what your FFA Jacket can do for you, but instead, ask yourself what kind of impact will you make while wearing it? Please know that I may not have a jacket, but I’m still ready to serve. That even though I retired my jacket, I will never retire the message. And so it is with tear-filled eyes, empty hands, and a heavy heart that I say Thank You and Farewell to the 14 State Officer Teammates, 42 National Officer Candidates, 400 plus Ag Teachers, countless role models, Awesome Small Groups #1, #2, & #20 members, generous State Staff, caring sponsors, a community & school called Oilton, and to the nearly 25,000 Oklahoma FFA members, all of whom I’ve been blessed to associate with. To God be the glory and may each and everyone you feel His blessings. Thank you from the depths of my heart for giving me Something to believe in, something to hope for, and above all, Something to Say.

“How Do You Eat an Elephant?”

“How do you eat an elephant?” This was a question my Grandpa would frequently ask me when I was young boy. I was always puzzled by it and could never remember the answer, luckily, my Grandpa would kill my “cluelessness” by telling me that the way you eat an elephant is by taking one bite at a time. Now I’m sure my Grandpa wasn’t the only person to tell this saying, because as I grew older I heard it from many different people. But looking at where we are at today, this homespun truth has never become so prevalent than now. Because I believe as Leaders, there are a lot of so-called “ELEPHANTS” in our life. These elephants are Tasks and goals that we think are insurmountable and seem impossible to achieve. Of these many challenging goals and tasks that we think of, the most common I have found is the idea of Changing our World for the Better. When talking about goals, one of the biggest objectives for Leaders is to Change our World. And as big as this goal maybe, rest assured, because it is achievable, in fact, people all through history have been doing it. For example, in the 1800’s there was a boy who said to his Mama that he wanted to grow up and change the world, and years later, he invented something called the Light Bulb. Over 180 years ago, a little boy in a log cabin prayed to God saying, “Lord help me change this world!” And even though he had lost 8 prior political elections, he would not give up and would later become the 16th President of the United States and create some of the most prolific legislation in American History that would ultimately impact millions of lives across the globe. Today, a man in a Ford Truck with a bumper sticker on the back saying “WorldChanger” was going through the McDonald’s Drive-Thru and paid for the people behind him. You see, changing the world is a great goal to have, but I have found from my own experiences that it isn’t something that’s going to happen overnight. Its a collaborative effort that never gives up and comes with the understanding that we are all in this together. It all starts by taking one step at a time and it’s the littlest things that can make the Biggest Differences. We have to come to the conclusion that an Outward Impact starts with an Inward change. A change in our attitudes, a change in our outlooks, and even a change in our hearts. And that since we only Live once, than we better think Twice about the choices we make and start believing in a world changed for the better. So I have a question for you, do you have any elephants in your life? Better yet, do you want to Change the World? Because if you do, than please know that “We” can achieve this goal by taking one bite, one step, and one choice at a time. Keep the Fire alive and always remember to stay hungry! 🙂

How Was Your Day? ~How to Stay Encouraged Through Finals Week~

Its DEAD WEEK here at Oklahoma State, and I have a question for you, “How was your day today?”

It’s a simple question that each and every one of us is asked on a daily basis. The majority of responses to this question are things such as:
“Oh, it was ok!”
“It was so stressful.”
“You have no idea!”
“I don’t know, what day is it again?” … Lol

The fact is that we tend to live very, very super busy lives, especially when it comes down to this time of year and Finals are the only thing we can think about. We began to settle into our own little world and begin to be busier than a Squirrel at an Acorn Farm. 😉 Seriously though, Life gets hectic this time of year and with that, we often find ourselves in a negative atmosphere or mindset.

The battle of the day takes its toll on our every molecule, we get busy, we get stressed, overwhelmed, burdened, and mentally dehydrated at the end of the day, quite frankly, feeling exhausted. Trust me; we’ve all slipped on those pair of shoes. But allow me to share something with you: no matter how much you hurt, no matter how much we stress, no matter how heavy the burden maybe, please know that the arms that hold the universe are holding you tonight.

We must challenge ourselves to break the negativity of our own little worlds and realize that we were made for so much more.
You see, we were meant to be happy, not hurt. We were meant to be successful, not stressed. We were meant to be blessed, not burdened. We were meant to be tough, not tired. Simply put, we were meant to have a great day! I’m finding that relaxation is just as important as productivity and when I let my burdens go and begin to trust God, my day is officially made.

As leaders, we can’t afford to let ourselves get mentally drained or allow ourselves to be bankrupt of joy, we must strive to restore ourselves with new vision, new energy, and new growth. And all these things come from the Man upstairs.
As the dawn of tomorrow begins and you journey on and finish up Dead week and study hard for the Finals, I hope that you’ll return home and someone asks, “Hey, how was your day?”
And you’ll be able to respond and say: “My day was super great!”

#FacebookFundamentals #TruthOnTwitter #NewsArticle

“Cowboys Never Give Up!”

We’ve all had that exciting moment where we get that letter of acceptance in the mail. Your Senior Year of High School, you apply to dozens of schools, filling out scholarship apps, and taking the ACT more times than Einstein. It’s definitely a very busy year. But nothing is as Awesome as when that college you’ve been waiting to hear back from finally says, “Congratulations, you’ve been accepted…” Well, I remember when I was applying for college, one of my acceptance letters came in a big bright orange folder. When I opened it up, it read these words: “Welcome to the Cowboy Family!” That day was a defining moment in my life, not only had I been accepted to OSU, but I had become part of huge family of Cowboys. Now when most people think about a Cowboy, they think of John Wayne, Oklahoma State, Chuck Norris, and yes, Tony Romo’s Team. But to me, being a Cowboy means more than just a mascot. You see, back in the old west, a cowboy was known as the toughest, strongest, and most diligent people out there. They could get the job done, no matter the costs, conditions, and even no matter the weather. These guys were committed to their job and worked hard. Whether it was herding cattle, being a ranch hand, blazing a new trail, or even branding cattle, you could expect a Cowboy to never give up until the job was done. Now, everyone knows about the news at Oklahoma State and the investigation going on. Many people on campus are taking it hard, and I agree that it’s a tough issue. But one thing I know is that our campus is resilient, and we know how to get things done. We are Cowboys, in fact, we are a whole family of them. One of our themes on campus is called “Branding Success”, and no matter what the outcome, that is something that we as OSU students do everyday, we brand success by improving our grades, learning new things, researching scientific data, increasing our scholarship, reaching out to a new friend, polishing that resume, pomping that homecoming float, & so much more. We brand our successes on OSU, because everything we do stakes our claim, makes our mark, and leaves an impact. Regardless of what is being said about our school, what matters is how we respond. We can choose to respond negatively or we can choose to keep our heads and keep moving forward. It’s time to get back to believing the old Cowboy way, by never giving up. We’re all in this together and we’re the toughest cowboys in town. The day is dawning & the cattle are waiting. The time to saddle up our horses is now, because we’ve got a new trail to blaze. Cowboys Never Give Up and neither should we. Cowboys keep moving forward and get the job done! Long Live Cowboys! Long Live OSU!

A Pulled Over Perspective

Do you ever feel like your life gets super busy? I mean, we’ve all been there at some point in our lives where time simply escapes us because of the constant demands of our daily schedules. Simply put: we get caught up in our own plans, calendars, agendas, so much that we forget to take the time to listen to the needs of others. So, the other day I was on my way to college and to avoid the construction of town, I decided to be like Rodney Atkins and “Take a Back Road” to class. As I’m taking the back road to class, I notice that there are no cars, no traffic, no construction. Feeling good about life, I then crank up the radio to listen to some music & hear some wise financial words from money expert, Dave Ramsey. Oh Boy, Life couldn’t be better 🙂 As I’m listening to some great commentary and driving down this traffic-less road, I begin to zone into my own little world and forgot everything around me. Before you know it, Dave Ramsey is talking about one of my favorite financial topics on the radio about how to plan for retirement while in college 🙂 At this point, my mental juices are flowing, getting so caught up in the moment, I’m driving and then, all of a sudden, I blow right past a stop sign without even thinking. What was even worse was that a Police officer was right there at the intersection of where I crossed. Immediately, as soon as I did this, I looked behind me and saw red and blue lights. I pulled my car over and talked with the police officer about what I did wrong, admitting that I was guilty as charged. He said to me, “Mr. Baumgarten, I pulled you over because you didn’t stop at the stop sign. In the future you need to make sure you stop, look both ways, consider other traffic, and then proceed with caution.” He gave me a warning and we both went our separate ways and even though I did violate a traffic law, the officer did his job greatly and made me thankful for the Awesome police officers that we have in our country. As I went on with my day, I couldn’t help but think of what leadership truths I had learned from this event. You see, often times we get caught up in the business of life, the fast lane of life if you will, and forget to stop, look around and consider others who might come our way. In our daily lives, we must be willing to yield to what’s important, for if we don’t, it could be costly, not in just terms of a ticket, but in terms of time and opportunity. You know, in this life, I don’t want for one second to miss out on what’s important. I don’t want to get so caught up in the world of ME, that I forget about the universe of everyone else. Each one of us was called to serve a very special purpose, but if we don’t take the time out to STOP and discover that important purpose, than how will we ever fulfill it? In this life, I don’t want to roll passed any opportunity, any chance to change a life, or any purpose that I’ve been meant to accomplish. Sure, it’s easy to get distracted, but we must remember to stay on course. We must stop, look around, consider those who are around us, and then proceed with life cautiously, seeking out opportunities to serve and being aware of the positive change we can make. And that, my friends, is what Life all about!! 🙂