Definition Self

Rather than start at the beginning of my life, I thought I would start in the now. This is my view of myself at 28 years old...

I hate to say it, but I'm one of those people that is totally defined by career first. I'm a teacher- a band director. Some of my students (and I'm sure other faculty) would tell you that I'm not a real teacher. Of course, I beg to disagree. I think my subject is one of the most important things a student will make the choice to do in their academic career. I'm sure any bandie will agree that the band experience sets you up for many, many real world experiences. It doesn't just brand you in geekdom for the rest of your life. In fact, the many people that I remember participating in groups with- I can only count a select few who were completely out of touch with other parts of life or hygienically incorrect or dangerously involved in an obsession with their musical craft. I suppose society will always define groups of people by the most extreme cases. I think that I teach something very important. I give students a chance to practice not only self-discipline, responsibility, and perseverance, but also interpersonal skills and team-building. I don't teach math, but it's definitely a big part of being able to play music. I don't teach English, but being able to creative place descriptions is a big part of being a true artist. I don't teach science, but realizing the physics of sound is a big deal in creating a great tone. I like to say that I teach the pragmatic application of every skill that students learn in other parts of the building. So yeah, my career is important to me. It's pretty much how I define myself. A teacher born from a family of teachers.

Outside of the classroom, I have a beautiful wife who keeps me on my toes. She has been a big part of the man that I feel I have become. It's fun to talk like that. I do believe that I wasn't grown up until I met her. She was the first roommate that I had in a place that wasn't a dorm room. Living with her, I learned that it was possible to have a home-cooked meal that wasn't by my mother- and that there were other things that I could use to cook my food than the microwave. In all reality, I haven't mastered that part yet. I wake up every day realizing that I have been given a great gift, and I try to honor her by making sure I am living up to my promise to love and cherish her. To that end, I have learned to love cats, do the dishes, do the laundry, love the vacuum, mow a yard, and establish a budget.

Currently, I am trying to live in this dogma that every day is a gift. Two of my roommates in college gave me two ways to look at things that I still try to frame things in today. 1) There are billions and billions of stars... I don't remember the rest of the quote. I just remember that it dealt with the overall insignificance of our existence. Although, I hate to think that I have minimal impact- but in the scheme of a whole life, I like to think that single incidents are small. No matter how big and important a failure is- in the end, your recovery is more important. 2) How can frown when there are so many things to smile about- I'm still alive! That was a quote from one of the wisest people I have ever met. This man was known as Smiley. He was amazing. There was not a moment I could remember him not smiling and laughing about life. He was always a joy to be around. He is who I constantly strive to be.

I'm sure there is more to me than this, but really- at my very core this is who I am. I live each day to be significant and with the knowledge of the minimum impact I make at the same time. "Every thing in life is only for now..."