The view from under the bus

Most everyone has heard the term "thrown under the bus". It's a phrase used when someone lets someone else take the fall or blame for something. And the person "under the bus" may or may not have done or been involved with whatever they've been "thrown under" for. And often times you don't know you're being thrown under the "bus" until are are under the bus!

I was "thrown under the bus" yesterday and I felt like I was still laying under "the bus" when today started. And it's not a good feeling. But it is what it is.

And despite that "under the bus" feeling this has made me step back and look at things more closely and from several aspects. It's made me realize that maybe things that I take for granted are just that, taken for granted and not appreciated like they should be. It has also made me realize how passionate I am about some things. How I'm identified by things that I've done for a long time and are routine. It is who I am. What I do, not work for because, for me, it's not work, it's a passion.

The feelings I've had for the past 24+ hours are a whole range of emotions, good, bad and otherwise. Not being informed hurts. The repercussions this will have with kids-hurts. The 20+years of work, my own personal time and money that I've invested-hurts. You see the things I do because I am passionate about it are not for the paycheck or recognition. (I like to fly under the radar). It's because I want to make a difference. I don't want accolades, I want the kids to learn life long skills. What it means to be part of a team. It's all about life. So this bus feeling that could turn into a reality and a life changing event now have me stunned and soul searching. It's also shown me who really cares, big time.

So as today progresses I'm trying to crawl out from under this proverbial bus, dust myself off and straighten my crown. THEN I'm digging my heels in and subtly fighting a good and fair fight but my intent is to let them know that we are small but mighty. That we affect and leave a mark with people we touch. We do things for the good. And that we are tough and a class act that cares about a lot of other people, not just us. Which is more than I can say about other coaches and sports....but I won't get into that because that's not how we do things.

Yesterday is over and the bus has now since pulled away but now we fight a good fight for the future.