Show Up

So here we are again. US Holiday (4th of July) and trying so hard to enjoy it and take a mental health day for myself, my family and anyone else that counts on me to be 100% for them. It is certainly enjoyable, and we are blessed that our family was able to make it up for a long, beautiful weekend in Madison, WI.

As I continue thinking about articles to write and ideas to focus on it becomes apparent to me that I will, most likely, jump all over the place when it comes to the message on this blog. There is so much that we deal with on a daily basis that if you sit down and think back on even just the week you just had many of us would be amazed at the amount of emotions/experiences, good & bad, we have had for just the week.

When I reflect upon this week there is one thing that stood out in my mind. It was a radio show from one of my favorite radio personalities, Lawrence Holmes, of 670 The Score out of Chicago, IL. What exactly was the topic? It was recent news about Maya Moore and her dedication to the freedom of a wrongfully accused and incarcerated black man, Jonathan Irons. I am sure we all have access to the Google Machine so I will not jump into details but instead speak to what I feel happened here.

As I listened to Lawrence play audio from an interview w/ Maya & Mr. Irons there were things she stated that just struck me. I will paraphrase them because, yes, my crazy Black, White, Hispanic family is here and if I do not start this Pernil on the grill soon it is not gonna look good for me continuing my blog. I think many of you will know how serious this situation is. (Yes, it is going on Rotisserie Style on the Weber)

So, what comments struck me???? Maya stated something to the tune of:

-         “I finally felt like I could rest. We’ve been standing for so long”

-         “I stepped away from basketball to be more available and present for things that mattered to me”

The most impactful comment to me:

-         “You may not have a voice today, but it will grow. You just need to keep showing up!”

Wow if these statements do not strike you and provide you purpose then I’m not exactly sure I can move you like I envision. I am not sure if you’ve felt injustice or simply the moment you just needed to stand up for someone. I feel we have all had that whether on the school yard, basketball court, hallway, work, I mean just about anywhere. Yes, this situation at work is the worst and happens ALWAYS!

So here we are full circle. As I came back over the border from El Paso to Juarez to continue my days building my team, I saw a lot of these situations. It was everywhere from migrants to the beautiful people of Juarez. Something made me feel like I did not have a voice at that moment, but I showed up every single day……well until the week of 3/12 when COVID hit for my new purpose…….

Even w/ Teams Meetings, Zoom Meetings, GoToMeetings for all of us it is still about showing up. When tragedy hit El Paso….it was about showing up to support those in pain.  Daily, seemingly, in Juarez it is about showing up for each other. Those trying to stay above the fray and living in a world that surrounds you with temptations & daily risk. Imagine that…. DAILY RISK.

So, for today…. think about when was the last time you showed up for someone or something. When is the last time you didn’t show up for someone or some cause? How did you feel…. what could have been done differently? Would you have done something differently?

Until next time….show up when you can…..I’ll be hanging out w/ Index Juarez & Chihuahua w/ Jesus!