Don Yaeger: “Today, I’m going to pinch myself.”

Naturally, the holiday season takes our busy lifestyle and revs it into a new gear. We’ve pre-ordered this and re-ordered that… We’ve probably even started dropping hints to loved ones about a desired gift or two.

But I want to urge you to reserve some of your time for pinching this holiday season. No, I’m not referring to penny-pinching, but something far more self-sustaining. The importance of this pinching concept came to me last weekend during a visit with the New England Patriots. Last Saturday, at the practice field adjacent to Gillette Stadium, Pro Bowl quarterback Tom Brady stood on the sidelines after his team’s last walkthrough for the next day’s game with the Indianapolis Colts. But the three-time Super Bowl champion was hardly the main attraction that day. There, Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski (and ultimately every teammate) were surrounded by four young Patriots fans. All four kids were living out their dreams through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. My purpose for the visit was to get more perspective for a current book project titled “Wish Granted,” in which many of today’s star athletes reveal some of their greatest moments from working with the foundation.

On the edge of the practice field there also stood a team employee snapping photos of the event. She’s worked in the franchise for a number of years and has captured many of the Patriots’ community and charity events.

As we stood there watching the kids interact with their larger-than-life football heroes, she said to me, “I’m with these guys every day and sometimes I just don’t remember how cool this is… how awesome this is!”

I replied, “Do you ever just pinch yourself? Just appreciate for one second how lucky you are to experience moments like this?”

Her response: “We work long days and… no, I guess I don’t.”

The event continued and Tom Brady stayed there for what felt like an hour making sure that these kids and their families felt like champions. He threw passes, caught passes, and signed autographs on anything and everything they handed him. Whether parent, kid or volunteer, there wasn’t a dry eye on that sideline.

Then, when most of us had regained control of our emotions, a 4-year-old girl named Maddie decided to score one for the home team. This little girl from the state of Washington, a successful bone marrow transplant recipient, looked up at Brady and said, “I’ve been following you my whole life.”

As he went to one knee to look her in the eye, Brady flashed the same smile that has landed him countless endorsement deals and a supermodel wife, but wasn’t quite ready for little Maddie’s next line. Her mother said, “Maddie, don’t you have something you’ve been wanting to say to Tom Brady?” Maddie paused and nervously put her knuckle in her mouth before finally saying, “Hubba hubba!” As laughter erupted from the group, the two-time Super Bowl MVP grinned from ear to ear at the little 4 year-old and said, “Now you gonna make me blush?”

The event ended after several more heartwarming displays of affection from the Patriots superstars and their pint-sized fans. As we walked back from the practice field to the stadium, that same employee looked at me and said, “Today I’m going to pinch myself.”

What a reminder… Too often we don’t take time to be grateful for what we have and for the amazing things we get to do. We often undervalue the people we get to interact with—like little Maddie or big Tom Brady.

Today, I hope you pinch yourself… and enjoy a moment of thanks. After you pinch yourself, tell us why.

Join the conversation today.

People who read this also read...

1. Don Yaeger: Be Perfect On EVERY Play Decisions are the frequent fabric of our daily design.  Studies show the average person makes...
2. Don Yaeger: 5 Things We Can Learn from the Downfall of the Boston Red Sox My grade school teachers severely undersold the lessons on compound words. While “downfall” fits the...
3. Have You Thanked Your Competition Today? I had a speech last week in Nebraska and before I caught my flight home,...

80185 Responseshttp%3A%2F%2Fblog.success.com%2Fdon-yaeger-today-im-going-to-pinch-myself%2FDon+Yaeger%3A+%22Today%2C+I%27m+going+to+pinch+myself.%222012-11-21+22%3A24%3A56Don+Yaegerhttp%3A%2F%2Fblog.success.com%2F%3Fp%3D8018 to “Don Yaeger: “Today, I’m going to pinch myself.””

1. Don Yaeger: Super Bowl Siblings | Successology – Success Logic says:

   February 1, 2013 at 10:43 am

   [...] Don Yaeger: “Today, I’m going to pinch myself.” Naturally, the holiday season takes our busy lifestyle and revs it into a new gear…. [...]

   Reply
2. Don Yaeger: Lombardi Time | Successology – Success Logic says:

   January 19, 2013 at 1:14 am

   [...] Don Yaeger: “Today, I’m going to pinch myself.” Naturally, the holiday season takes our busy lifestyle and revs… [...]

   Reply
3. EJS Richardson says:

   December 3, 2012 at 3:26 pm

   Thank you! I do pinch myself – often! Why? Because I am so fortunate to have the problem of not knowing which part of my day is the most exciting: when I come home to my wonderful family, or when I go to my wonderful professional home in the morning. I am married to the best man there is, am step-Mom to the most amazing boy and girl you could ask for, and I have the most wonderful colleagues at our veterinary hospital in Tulsa, OK.

   What can I say? We all dream of being thrilled to come home, and thrilled to go out the door in the morning – and I have that. Every day. And I'm aware of how incredibly blessed I am. So yes, I pinch myself. Regularly!!!

   Dr. Elena Shirley-Richardson
   Hunters Glen Veterinary Hospital
   Tulsa, OK

   [Reply]

   Reply
4. bbrummfl says:

   November 28, 2012 at 9:15 am

   A great reminder and inspiration. We don't need to have large celebraties around to do this. Realize we are LIVING, ALIVE, above ground, taking in air. We are blessed by waking up each day. Thank You.

   Bob Brumm – Encouragement Engineer http://www.bobbrumm.com

   [Reply]

   Reply
5. Greg says:

   November 25, 2012 at 3:08 pm

   Don,
   As always . . . an inspiration. Thank you!
   Greg

   [Reply]

   Reply