For today’s Monday Morning Mojo, I am sharing some random things I have read, seen, and experienced that inspired me.  A common thread is that most feature a theme of connecting, something I believe leads to greater happiness and success.  I hope you enjoy the read.

Inspiration #1, comes from my good friend Josh Thomson and a post he made celebrating his wife, Rebekah’s, successful donation of her kidney.  She had a match, and through her generous spirit and gratitude for giving, donated her right kidney to a friend and mother of three who was experiencing kidney failure.  Rebekah Thomson certainly deserves a Monday Morning Mojo callout for this wonderful act of kindness.

Inspiration #2, comes from something I learned about the Duke basketball coaching legend, Mike Krzyzewski, better known as Coach K, and a tradition that prevailed throughout his coaching career.

Apparently in 1980, the one dream of Steven Lee Mitchell, a Duke basketball fan who was born with Down syndrome, was to watch a Duke basketball game. His brother, who met Coach K through a construction project at his house, asked if he could get a ticket to a game for Steven. Coach K complied and gave Steven a ticket seated right behind him. That started a tradition of Steven writing to Coach K each year, and Coach K granting him tickets behind the team.  Well, Steven was the one person Coach K would recognize when entering the stadium, shaking his hand before each game. Here is an article I noticed last week about this wonderful tradition and a picture of Steven below.

Coach K

Inspiration #3 comes from another article I read last week, about Sam Salz, an Orthodox Jewish, 160-pound Texas A&M running back, who walked onto the team without any prior football experience. Salz succeeded through sheer determination, pursuing a dream and making sure he made the right connections along the way. This is really an inspiring story about true grit, and I hope you enjoy hearing about his journey as much as I did.

Sam Salz

Inspiration #4 comes from the reminder to look at things from different perspectives. I have seen this poem a few times, appreciate the message and think it is worthy of a broader share.  Enjoy!

Inspiration #5, for those that have the time, is to listen to Steve Jobs 2005 Stanford Commencement Address.  Given that this is graduation season and many commencements have been canceled, I thought I would share one of my favorites. Jobs advice to the students was to “connect the dots” in life, and “search for your true passion”, and I found this most inspiring.

I hope these stories, and items, inspire you as much as they did me this past week, and thank you for being part of this community.