tipping

Over the last few days I have seen significant changes due to one small thing. In fact this blog is the result of such reflections. I haven’t written in a while and the volumes of stories is just overwhelming my brain. Therefore, I can’t help but write about several moments and musings from the week. This is the 3 for 1 special.

Tipping Points are on my mind. In the past I’ve written about the little things. The simple moments that make all the difference. Malcolm Gladwell describes such moments and people in a informative, concise way with both the attractiveness of a fun purse and the serious, hard-core validity of a cure for cancer. Tipping Points: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference uncovers how the smallest percentage can create a social epidemic similar to that of a flu epidemic. The most humble ideas can come to pass with the smallest of efforts by the right people in the right way.

Yesterday the kids planned to sing the National Anthem at the beginning of a local high school football game at private school and then again during half-time. Along with the performances were a few scheduled interactions with the sixth grade class over pizza dinner and their new friends during the game as they watched together. The kids made their way down to the field through a tunnel of students and parents alike. After enamoring the crowd with their A Capella rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, they went to their seats to cheer on the home team. Well, two touch-downs into the game and six minutes, lightning struck in the distance. The big brawny boys took cover inside as the rules require, and the rest of us were left to wait it out. A few moments go by as people guessed what the clouds would do while the kids scramble from auntie to uncle to know what will happen next. Thankfully all the scuttling subsided when the kids went to doing what they do best. Being kids. They ran around, threw balls to each other and involved their new Big friends in simple games. The pause in the game became the highlight for the kids as the students took to them with all the enthusiasm of new camp counselors. Simon Says. New songs. Hand Clap Game “Down by the Banks.”

Could the kids really be that cute to move high school students from teenage obsessions or insecurities to play with little ones they’ve never met before? Certainly but with a combination of excited students, green grass, and bright lights in an otherwise dark place the night, three kids would have been enough to tip the scales to that of utter fun and freedom. I thought the stoppage couldn’t have been a better unplanned marketing scheme to find student volunteers because they interacted with the people they were being coaxed to help in the future. Face time and the real deal inspires many to seek more.