A Day of Bliss

Not all leadership lessons come from professionals or even adults.  Last week, I was able to witness firsthand the leadership development of 820 girls and 160 boys as they ran a 5k in Kennett Square (PA).  They didn't decide to get up that morning and run.  They have been coached for 10 weeks by dedicated volunteers who have bought into the Girls on the Run and STRIDE (boys) programs sponsored by the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley (my employer).

The program had over 50 girls teams and 10 boys teams running.  They were joined by running buddies and their coaches creating a backlog at the starting line lasting nearly 5 minutes.  Not one of the 2,200 runners associated with the program was jostling, checking their watches, and disturbed by waiting to start.  I saw smiles on each and every face as parents and children joined to achieve a goal.  Girls on the Run prepares girls in grades 3-8 to be joyful, healthy and confident using an experience based curriculum.  Though the program culminates in a 5k, the lessons learned are lifelong.  The mission is similar for STRIDE.  The program also ends with the 5k and is for boys in grades 3-5.  It teaches them to exhibit excellence in character in all aspects of their lives.

As we've seen countless of times, success in sports can be a metaphor for success in life.  Most of these kids have never run a distance race.  Many have not lead healthy lifestyles.  Some come from homes where there are no role models.  All of the participants don't understand their potential.  Over the 10 weeks, they learn to make good decisions, feel good about who they are and understand there are obstacles to achieving goals.  This may be their first experience at not quitting when the going gets a little tough. 

It is easy to give up.  It is easy to discard your values to join the "in" crowd.  It hard to be picked on but easy to let it go.  The boys and girls in these programs understand that no one should be bullied; friends come in all shapes, races and sizes; and how to achieve a goal.  The first step to leading others is to lead yourself.  To do so, you must love yourself and develop self-esteem.  Last Saturday, I saw nearly 1,000 kids with self-esteem and pride in the achievement of a goal. Here's hoping that more kids get involved and that the lessons learned on a beautiful spring day last a lifetime.