A Message of Love and Encouragement in Mount Vernon

Last week, my co-author Ray Negron and I had the opportunity to visit the Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon, New York. We spent time speaking with the kids about hard work, helping others, treating people with kindness, and making the most of every opportunity.

Visits like this are always meaningful because you never know what a young person may be going through. Some children face difficult situations at home or in their communities. Others may be struggling with confidence, searching for direction, or simply needing someone to believe in them.

That is why positive encouragement matters.

When people involved in sports take the time to speak with young people, the kids often listen differently. Sports can help create a connection, but the most important lessons go far beyond winning games. They are lessons about character, discipline, responsibility, and how we treat the people around us.

One of the strongest messages Ray shared with the kids was about love.

He told them how important it is to love. Love the people around you. Love the opportunities you have. Love the work you do.

That message may sound simple, but it carries tremendous meaning.

When you truly love the people around you, you begin to look for ways to encourage them, support them, and help them succeed. When you love the opportunities you have, you stop taking them for granted and start approaching them with gratitude. When you love the work you do, you are more willing to give your best effort, remain committed, and keep going when things become difficult.

Love is not weakness. Real love requires strength, patience, sacrifice, and action. It means showing up for people. It means treating others with respect, even when they cannot do anything for you in return. It means using your gifts and opportunities to make someone else’s life better.

I also shared a lesson that has become increasingly important to me. Many years from now, your friends may not remember everything you accomplished or every specific thing you did, but they will remember how you made them feel.

People remember who encouraged them. They remember who believed in them. They remember who treated them with kindness when they were having a difficult day. They remember the people who made them feel seen, valued, and capable of becoming something greater.

We also encouraged the kids not to spend their lives worrying about fitting in with everyone else. There is often pressure to follow the crowd, especially when you are young. However, making a real impact sometimes requires you to stand out.

Be different. Be kind when others are cruel. Work hard when others choose shortcuts. Help someone when there is nothing in it for you. Have the courage to make the right decision, even when it is not the popular one.

Every child has gifts, potential, and a purpose. Sometimes, all it takes is one person offering encouragement to help a young person begin believing that for themselves.

Ray and I are grateful to the Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon for welcoming us and allowing us to spend time with such an incredible group of kids. We hope they remember our message, but even more importantly, we hope they remember that we cared about them.

Love the people around you. Love the opportunities you have. Love the work you do. Then use that love to make a positive impact wherever life takes you.