From the desk of Glenn Ballard, Fine Arts Director:

A few weeks ago while I was working on the sets for Mary Poppins, Mr. Fletcher came onto the stage and I had the opportunity to show him a few of the things I was working on. As I described what I was planning to do and what the finished set would look like, he said something that really meant a lot to me. “Glenn, thank you for dreaming big.”  I think I will always remember his words, and I hope they are true. I’m not sure I’ve always been a big dreamer. But in recent years, working with the kids I’ve had, I have become one. And I want to encourage and inspire our young people and maybe a few who are not so young to dream; to dream big; and to pursue your dreams and work for them until they come true.

Part of the Brook Hill mission statement says that we will “challenge the potential” of our students. Part of being a director of an orchestra, band, choir or a cast of a play is to challenge, push, inspire, and pull.  Our job is to get as much out of a kid as we possibly can, obviously without doing any harm to their spirit in the process. And as Christian educators we pray every day for the wisdom to handle every child in the best way. Sometimes that process is painful, or at least uncomfortable. Just like with our physical bodies. Until your body gets accustomed to it, even mild stretching is a bit painful. But the more you stretch, the greater is your range of motion and the easier it is the next time. That’s why we push. It is not always successful. But we keep pushing and challenging and stretching our kids to be their personal best.

But a lot of kids today resist that kind of pushing. Our culture generally does not embrace the idea of “pushing” kids to achieve. Many parents don’t like it. Many kids are satisfied with giving less than their best effort. It seems that more and more young people are willing to work just hard enough to “get by”. And others are happy with “being good enough.”

But I believe the drive to do and be our best is really a part of our commitment to the Lord Jesus.

In Colossians 3:23-24, the Apostle Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write these words. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (New King James Version)  Another translation says it this way, “Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly as though you were working for your real master and not merely for humans. You know that your real master will give you an inheritance as your reward. It is Christ, your real master, whom you are serving.” And another says, “…work at it with all your heart…”

What a difference it would make in all that we do if we realized we are doing it for the Lord.

In one of my early interviews with Rod Fletcher, I said to him, “I will do my best to be your best employee. I will follow your directives to the best of my ability, and I will respect you and your leadership. But I need you to understand that I answer to a higher authority than you.” Mr. Fletcher knew what I meant and appreciated it.

I want to be the best teacher and theatre director and co-worker I can be – NOT just because I get a check, or am loyal to my school, or love my kids, or want a great reputation. But because I want to honor and please God who has always required His people to offer Him their best.

James C. Collins, a graduate of Stanford University and well-known author, lecturer, and management consultant, wrote a book called “Good to Great; Why Some Companies Make the Leap – and Others Don’t.” Hear him:

“Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great. We don’t have great schools because we have good schools. We don’t have great government because we have good government. Few people attain greatness, in large part, because it is just so easy to settle for a good life.”

May I apply Collins’ words to my kids?  Here is my challenge – Don’t settle for “good enough.” Don’t set as your goal just to “get by.” Don’t offer to your fellowman, your teachers, your music stand partner, your fellow choir members or cast mates, or to yourself or to God LESS THAN YOUR BEST.

And when it gets hard and you don’t feel like stretching anymore, remember the song by Billy Ocean…

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow composed a poem he titled “A Psalm of Life.” (1838) Here are some of the more memorable lines:

“TELL me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream ! —

For the soul is dead that slumbers, and things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, is our destined end or way; But to act so that each tomorrow finds us farther than today.

In the world’s broad field of battle, in the bivouac of life, be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife!

Lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime, and departing, leave behind us footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another sailing o’er life’s solemn main, a forlorn and shipwrecked brother, seeing shall take heart again.”

Longfellow’s message?

Live so that you will make a difference! Be better tomorrow than today! Be a hero! Leave your mark!

And Jim Collins added this:

“Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice and discipline.”

So choose greatness! And then practice the self-discipline and hard work necessary to get there.

We believe in and serve a great and awesome God. We are made in His image with a certain capacity to be creative and to accomplish great things to His glory. So for a believer, mediocrity is not an option. Dream big. Aspire to greatness. Want to do your best and be your best in anything you attempt to do and give God the glory.

In Mary Poppins, while Winifred Banks is contemplating how to help her husband George, her daughter reminds her of something Mary Poppins has said. “Anything can happen if you let it.” To which Winifred asks, “Do you really believe that, Mary Poppins?”

Mary Poppins’ answer has become my favorite song in the show.

“Anything can happen if you let it. Sometimes things are difficult but you can bet it doesn’t have to be so.

Changes can be made. You can move a mountain if you use a larger spade.

Anything can happen, it’s a marvel. You can be a butterfly, Or just stay larval.

Stretch your mind beyond fantastic, Dreams are made of strong elastic. Take some sound advice and don’t forget it.

Anything can happen if you let it.

You won’t know a challenge until you’ve met it. No one does it for you, No one but yourself.

Vacillating violets get left up on the shelf. Anything can happen, just imagine. That should be my epitaph.

I wear the badge in honor of this world’s free thinkers –Those who see beyond their blinkers.

Jelly isn’t jelly ‘Til you set it.

Anything can happen if you let it.

What good is a whistle unless you whet it. Broaden your horizons, Open different doors.

You may find a you there that you never knew was yours. Anything can happen raise the curtain.

Things you thought impossible will soon seem certain. Thought at first it may sound clownish, see the world more upside-downish.

Turn it on its head then pirouette it.

Anything can happen if you let it.

If you reach for the stars all you get are the stars.

But we’ve found a whole new spin.

If you reach for the heavens you get the stars thrown in.

Anything can happen if you let it.

Life is out there waiting so go and get it. Grab it by the collar, seize it by the scruff.

Once you’ve started living life you just can’t get enough. Anything can happen, it’s official.

You can choose the super or the superficial. Sally forth the way we’re steering, Obstacles start disappearing.

Go and chase your dreams you won’t regret it.

Anything can happen if you let it.”