Thursday, October 28, 2010

Infinite Potential


This past week thousands of students from across the United States traveled to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. I have made that amazing trip several times myself, but was unable to make the trip this year. That trip is one that changes your life. For those who have the extreme honor and privilege to compete on a team, you partake in an experience that will forever change your life.

The hours of practice, sleepless nights leading up to the big day, homework neglected, social life forgotten…all for the moment of truth. But what exactly is the moment of truth?

Is it the moment when you finally get first in the nation? Is it the moment when you realize that you didn’t do as well as you thought? Is it the moment when you are surrounded by thousands and thousands of Blue and Gold jackets and feel such an amazing sense of pride?

Does the moment of truth define who you are? I believe that how you react to the moment of truth helps to define who you are, but is not a moment that forever defines the impact you will have on this world. At the time you might not realize the impact that this event has on your life, but years down the road when you get the chance to reflect how you do…that is when it all comes into perspective.

For those of us involved in agriculture, and even those who are not, we can learn so much from the members of this incredible organization. We learn that hard work always pays off, no matter what the outcome is. We learn that pride in your organization is something that cannot be explained. We learn that to be passionate about something is a feeling that changes everything. We learn that anyone, no matter how old, can make an impact.

I didn’t have the opportunity to attend the National FFA Convention this year, but I still learned a lot from all of those who made that life changing journey. National FFA 2010…Infinite Potential.