“To see things in the seed, that is genius.” – Lao Tzu

“To see things in the seed, that is genius.” – Lao Tzu

Every now and then I like to reflect on where things are in my life both personally and professionally making any necessary adjustments to make sure things are in line with my core tenants.  It’s essentially my “portfolio analysis” and a way to make sure I stay true to my goals and talents.  A quote I like from the Parable of the Talents is the following: “To whom much has been given, much will be required”.  I have always felt very fortunate in my adult life and have been blessed with a lot of things that make it possible for me to give back to a lot of people.  As such, I have always believed I should share those gifts with others.  However, one thing I’ve learned over the years is that those gifts have value and they shouldn’t be given away to just anyone. This value isn’t defined in a traditional “monetary” sense but in how those gifts are received.  Some of these gifts are exclusive and only shared with those closest to me whereas others are given on a daily basis to all passersby.

I was at the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame Dinner in Chicago this year and David McGillivray was giving the introduction for Inductee Mike Pigg.  During that introduction he quoted Lao Tzu who said:”To see things in the seed, that is genius.”  That got me thinking about some of the things I’ve been involved in and how that is something I have strived to do as well.  I started to think of the things that I’ve unknowingly done that this statement captures.

Now marry the two concepts together: “Parable of the Talents – Lao Tzu”.  When I first moved to Indiana from Colorado, I wanted to find a swimming group and ended up having to create one.  There was no way I was going be able to replace those workouts and the training environment I had at Flatirons Athletic Club with Wolfgang Dittrich and Jane Scott but I could have a small group with the hopes that it would grow. That was in 2009. Maverick Aquatics Masters Swimming program started and later became iSWIM in 2012. The group expanded and we grew to something that could be self sufficient without me. Now that seed has taken root and I could move on to the next seed. 

Over the past couple years; I have gotten more involved in the USA Triathlon Mideast Region governance. In 2013, I saw a vacuum form in the Race Director Liaison position and stepped in to get involved and take over.  Despite some doubts that existed as a result of the state that post was in and the short time I had to deliver, I was able to surpass expectations and provide something that expanded the impact into our neighboring Midwest Region.  We are looking forward to giving the region even more and exciting things this year now that I have the confidence of my peers upon which to build something better. I can’t wait to let the people know what we have in store for them.  We have seen the things in this newest seed!

The latest seed in the garden has come in the shape of the USA Triathlon Mideast Regional Athlete Development Coordinator position.  The growth in the youth & junior demographic within our region is pretty amazing and to be in a position where one could catalyze that is just a blessing.  Our Mideast Region Chairman gave a great endorsement that validates the efforts I make in all these endeavors: “Whether it works out as you would like, or goes down a different creative path, the initiative and risk you are willing to take, the thinking outside the box, is the stuff that success is made of. All the while you do so without a hint of personal gain, and an objective of serving the bigger goal unselfishly. People are drawn to that Mike, want to be a part of it, and help, so in the end our imagination can only focus on the possibilities that come out of your efforts. This thinking, the drive, it really is not about the sport, it is what makes possibilities in life fulfilled generally.” – James Weaver.