“It is a great day to be a Laker!”
Dylan gustaff
On Friday night February 3, 2023 the Lake Oswego High School swim team, and football team, came together to raise funds in support of Jeff Young. The swimmers acquired monetary pledges for each length of the pool they could swim in 30 minutes. The football players counted the lengths for the swimmers, and together they raised money to help Jeff with his battle.
Before the swimmers jumped in the pool, they listened to an inspirational message written by Jeff to energize their championship season. The swimmers were also honored by the presence of Olympic gold medal swimmer, Dan Jorgensen, who also had some words of inspiration to share with them.
COMPLETING A VISION
By Coach Jeff Young
“Good leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion.”
– John Welch
Every great accomplishment was, in its infancy, a dream. Before skyscrapers were erected, or the airplane took flight, they were but dreams. They were dreams in the hearts and minds of men and women that dared believe, with unparalleled conviction that their vision was bigger than any obstacle, any criticism, and any setback they could face. Nothing would deter these pioneers from turning their visions to reality – nothing. Certainly you have goals and dreams, but my question for you is- has your dream crystallized into a vision?
A goal is the seedling of dream, and a dream the chrysalis of a vision. A vision is the beginning stage of what becomes one’s destiny. It is the opening up of the imagination to a possibility so profound and so enticing that you no longer want the realization of that possibility- you need it. It becomes a desire so intense, so consuming, that you cannot help but walk it, talk it, eat it, and sleep it. It becomes so much a part of what you are about as to become indistinguishable from who you are. When your dream reaches a level of conviction that your mind can no longer fathom the possibility of an outcome other than the full and complete realization of that dream, then, and only then, do you have a vision. Do you merely have a dream or have you caught a vision?
As a young college student, my dreams were enormous. The world was my oyster and I was planning a seafood feast. Then, at 21 years of age I was told that I had Lou Gehrig’s Disease and could expect a horrific three year decaying of my body culminating in my death. The medical experts were very clear- this disease has no known cause, has no cure, and medical science could do nothing for me. After some serious soul searching, I made a decision: I would not allow anyone to dictate to me the quality, duration, or course of my life. I would take into my own hands everything I could control and make it as close to perfect as possible. Everything else I would pay no mind to whatsoever.
More than three decades after the prediction of my death, my dreams and goals are no less grandiose than those of my youth, just different. I have a vision, and slowly but surely, like the pedals of a flower in spring, that vision is unfolding and my new reality is beginning realization. What are your goals? Are they written down with deadlines for their achievement? Do you have a dream? Is that dream just a fantasy, or have you crystallized that dream into a vision?
I have learned much from the hand life has dealt me. One lesson learned is that inside the soul of every man and every woman is the seed of greatness. Inside of you is a triumphant warrior yearning to be let out. This warrior has the mental toughness, the passion, and that unexplainable “it“ that allows you to rise above circumstance and prevail when all appears lost. Everything you need to live your dream and complete your vision, you already possess. No one can take this from you and no one but you can bring this to realization.
Live your dream; complete your vision,
Coach Jeff Young
First row (left to right): Carolyn Hyink, Jeff Young, Erin Cealey. Back row (left to right): Geoff Mardsen, Marilyn Brunetti, Scott Reagan.
First row (left to right): Chris Hubley, Jeff Young, Marilyn Brunetti, Erin Cealey. Second row (left to right): Chris Coleman, Brian Newcomer, Frank Everhart, Carolyn Hyink, Geoff Mardsen, Chris Sheik, Scott Reagan, Greg Lord
Thank you to Britani Kavanaugh for the above pictures from the event!!
You can still help!
Jeff is always in need and your support is greatly appreciated! To learn more about ways to Donate, visit our Donate page.