I was seven years old, hot summer day, standing at home plate during a summer baseball league. I was a good little athlete, stocky and strong. Before the pitch, the coach reminded me, “Always keep your helmet on.”
The pitch – my swing – a high strong fly far into the outfield. I ran as fast as I could and rounded first base. I was running so fast, my helmet flew off! I stopped, ran back, put it on and kept running. I rounded second base. Again, my helmet flew off! The coaches instruction pounding in my head, I stop, pick it up, place it on my head and keep running. I rounded third base, the ball now flying over my head toward home. I slide. OUT!
As I grew to adulthood, I learned success would require setting aside voices that would impede my progress; you’re going to fail (helmet), you make poor decisions (helmet), you can’t do that (helmet), you are guilty and have no value (helmet).
I learned to run with smiles, delight, and laughter. I learned the love of just playing the game. “Let us live so that when we come to die, even the undertaker will be sorry.” Mark Twain.
Stephen is an author, teacher, and thought leader in human Value and Worth. He is the author of Thinking Out Loud - Uncovering An Extraordinary Life, Uncommon Sense for Unreasonable Times, Cultivating a Winner from Within, and a Divorced Parent's Guide to Seeing Your Kids.Stephen has traveled the world teaching Executive Leadership and Value skills on three continents to such companies as General Motors, Trek Bicycles Worldwide, FBI, U.S. Navel Academy, New Scotland Yard, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and hundreds more.
Walrath is the Past President of Crime Stoppers International with responsibilities for over 1200 programs in 17 countries. He was the President of Great Radio Broadcasting, transforming a single AM radio station into 8 enterprises doing business in 3 countries, earning him the YMCA’s of America Key Leader Award.
Stephen is married with three grown children and lives in southern Wisconsin. He and his wife, Gabriella, are proud shareholders of the Green Bay Packers.
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