Am I Crazy?

There are usually three responses to a vision. It is either "I can see that happening", "That's crazy (can happen but not sure how)!" or "That's impossible!"

Check out this vision that I had this morning and let me know your response.

Recently, a $59-million renovation project to make improvements to the Rice Street jail was completed. The project concluded in late 2009 upon the 20th anniversary of the building. The improvements focused on the buildings.

I was just talking with an Atlanta Policeman this morning and he told me that there are roughly 1,500 inmates at the Rice Street jail in downtown Atlanta.

Rice Street Jail in Atlanta, GA

By 2030, I would like to convert the downtown Atlanta Rice Street Jail into a Youth Development Center for L.E.A.D., Inc. (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct). The location would be perfect allowing us to intentionally serve thousands of families in Atlanta through academics, athletics, civic responsibility and commerce. L.E.A.D.'s mission is to empower an at risk generation to lead and transform their city. Successfully doing so, our L.E.A.D. Ambassadors will lead their city to lead the world.

Can you see this happening?

Is this crazy (can happen but not sure how)?

Is this impossible?

This is what I would want Dr. King to say about me today

Today we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. across the world.  There is so many great things that can be said about Dr. King. I thank God that he was born and that he served mankind with excellence.

If Dr. King were alive, here are three things that I would want him to say to me.

I would want Dr. King to tell me that I am a good bond-servant for Christ. One thing that I'm 100% positive about in this crazy world is that if I submit to Christ everything will work out for good. Serving others on this place that we call earth requires courage and endurance.

I would want Dr. King to tell me that I am a good steward. I strive to protect my family as well as the youth in our birth city Atlanta.

I would want Dr. King to tell me that I am a good teammate. Anyone that is sincere about bringing positive change to Atlanta is a friend of mine. There is a lot of physical work to do. Dr. King's dream was clear decades ago and still clear today. Atlanta needs dream catchers rather than new dreams.

Guess what I'm doing right now? I'm serving as a Grand Marshal with my wife and daughters and 29 L.E.A.D. Ambassadors for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. March in Atlanta, GA. #canyoucatch

How the BCS and NFL playoffs are making me a better baseball coach

I'm watching this Packers/49'ers playoff game still upset about the Falcons dismal season. I saw a Facebook post last year that said that F.A.L.C.O.N.S. was an acronym that stands for Fans Always Left Counting On Next Season. I had to regretfully laugh at that one.

We are almost at the end of some amazing BCS games that showcased some of the top college football players in the nation. My wife Kelli and I have enjoyed all the intense games together. I'm predicting that the Seminoles will win the National Championship this year. Who you got?

All of the NFL playoff games have been thrillers as well. I'm hoping that Drew Brees and the Saints lose their swag. Yes I'm a hater!

I'm also a baseball guy that is learning how to coach from the college football and NFL coaches. I'm specifically paying attention to their calm and collective demeanor. These games have high implications and situations that I deem stressful but it doesn't seem to phase these guys one bit.

I've been successfully developing baseball players through my for profit Diamond Directors for 15 years but I personally need to develop more patience as a coach. Crunch time in games cause me to stress which causes my players to stress.

As I make this self assessment, I am reminded that when you properly prepare for success there should be no stress. You can only control what you can control. Even losing the big games in the NFL causes organizations to go back to the drawing board to make the necessary adjustments. The Saints haven't always played this good.

I have the Seahawks going all the way. Great players but even better coach in Pete Carroll.