Mic-drop!

This little gem has always stuck with me. Around Easter, it rings especially true for many but its message isn’t reserved for the religious.

It’s for anyone who’s ever stood face-to-face with the unknown. And who hasn’t!

Happiness rock star, psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky reminds us that faith, whether in a higher power or just the belief that things will somehow work out, helps boost our well-being.

Religious faith says, You’re never alone!
Agnostic faith says, You’ve got this, even when you don’t think you do.

So, when fear knocks?
Take a deep breath, open the door…and smile when you realize it was just a breeze.

What Are Your Enlightened Leaders Telling You

My earliest memory is seared into my brain: one singular focus from the age of five until I turned twenty.

No backup plan.

Just one dream.

I wanted to be my hero.

I dreamed of playing football at the University of Delaware for my dad, Tubby Raymond, the legendary head coach of the Fightin’ Blue Hens.

Then I’d follow in his footsteps and become a coach, just like him.

Dad spent nearly 50 years at Delaware, won over 300 games, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005. But beyond the stats and accolades, I watched him inspire young men to become something bigger, not just on the field, but in life.

I didn’t want to be like him.

I wanted to be him.

And for a moment, I almost was.

I was a decent high school athlete, starting wide receiver, punter, and kicker. I made the state all-star team and joined Delaware as a freshman in 1974. But my dad had already given me the playbook for success when I was just ten:

“You’ve inherited my genes, David. So, you’ll be small and slow. But if you can kick, you can play for any football team.”

He handed me a bag of footballs and said, “Go learn to kick.”

So, I did.

By my sophomore year, I was the backup punter, waiting for my shot. And then, it happened. Second game of the season. Halftime. Coach Kempski tapped my shoulder:

“David, you’re punting the second half.”

My dream was about to come true.

So naturally, I panicked!

I was petrified. The thought of stepping onto that field made me nauseous. I wasn’t excited. I was angry at myself for ever wanting this.

I stood between Coach Kempski and my dad on the sidelines, heart pounding, paralyzed.

When our offense stalled, my dad glanced at me, then turned to Kempski and said sharply, “Is that all we’ve got?”

Seriously?

Is that all we’ve got?

Inside, I snapped: “Why you little…”

Fueled by a sudden rage, I sprinted onto the field, set up the punt team, caught the snap, and launched my first college kick into the air, and my fear out of my body.

When I ran back to the sideline, Dad was waiting. Smiling.

He pointed at me and said, “Great job, David!”

He knew exactly what I needed—before I did.

That was his gift.

That moment was the beginning of a pattern. My life has been shaped by enlightened leaders, people who saw the best in me and weren’t afraid to push, nudge, or even provoke me to reach it. Sometimes with a pat on the back. Sometimes with shock and awe. But always with love.

Who are your enlightened leaders?

Who’s nudging you toward your best self?

Identify them.

Listen to them.

And most importantly—thank them.

Because here’s the twist, it was that same man, my hero, who later told me, “David, I think it might be time to stop chasing my dream and see where your own might take you.” He pointed me toward a summer job with the Phillies.

“You’ll never know who you’ll meet or what might happen,” he said.

He was right. And the rest, as they say, was Phanatical.

So… what are your enlightened leaders telling you?

Are you listening?