Becoming The Change: Every Moment Matters

It has been a while since I have written a blog entry but due to recent events it was time to pick it back up again because for me writing as always served as a therapy for me. So here it goes…

Every Moment Matters. These three words have often been said but until recently I wasn’t sure what it meant to me. This past week I lost a dear friend. Someone who was a loving husband and father; a wonderful man who lived his life to the fullest. Brian Schultz was admired and loved by all who knew him. He served Pasco County Schools as a Title I Supervisor and Educator for over 20 years. I first met him when I became the Assistant Principal at Gulfside Elementary in May 2005. I remember at the time he was a classroom teacher and an aspiring leader. We soon became friends and along with our families and other friends, had some memorable gatherings over the years attending celebrations such as weddings or birthdays, going to Sea World and Disney during what seemed like a tropical storm. Those moments became such fond memories and ones I will cherish for as long as I live. Brian had such a zest and passion for life itself and it was evident in everything he did. His impact and legacy will live on in each of us because of who he was and I was very honored and blessed to know him. I am a better man having known him. Thank you Brian. I love you, I will miss you and that wonderful smile and laugh of yours.

Every Moment Matters. Many of us have experienced loss and it affects us each differently. To me, no one is ever truly gone. Although they may be gone physically, their memory and what they have meant to us personally, will live on in our own souls. This is what I truly believe. There have been people I have loved dearly from friends to family who I’ve lost over the years and although they are no longer here, the moments I have had with them have become a part of my own moral fiber as to who I am now and continue to be. Each have added an important chapter to my own story and I’ve learned more about myself and who I am through their mannerisms and my interactions with them.

Every Moment Matters. Always remember this. I’ve also learned that I need to let those that are still here know how much I love and cherish them more often than I do. So whether you’ve known me through my years growing up in Germantown, Maryland, the college years at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida to now here in Pasco County…… I love you all. Always know this no matter what. As I said before, I don’t say this often enough as I should. You’ve made my life wonderful just being a part of it and I appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you for making every moment with you special. The best way I can truly thank you is by sharing some of the lyrics from one of my favorite songs sung by Josh Groban called You Raise Me Up as a tribute to you and our never ending friendship:

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until You come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be.

Here is the song in it’s entirety in case you wanted to listen to it: You Raise Me Up

Every Moment Matters. A new mantra of mine of my for sure to go along with the others I refer to daily: Serve, Lead, Inspire. Memento Mori. Becoming The Change. Our Moral Compass.

This one however will be a post of mine each and every day on all social media handles at the start of every day to serve as a reminder to all that:

Every Moment Matters…Make The Most Of Your Moments Today.