Ask Not.....

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." President Kennedy challenged "the young at heart...regardless of age..." to look beyond themselves and see the need of others first...and to look for ways to serve others in this country and the world at large. Many did indeed respond to his call to the service of others and millions of hands were extended to those who needed uplifting.

In our current self-indulgent, all-about-me world, I can't help but wonder what John Kennedy's message to the American people would be today, if he were President!!! I would hope that he would show more courage than our current political leaders...both Republicans and Democrats.

But, thank God, there is always a point of light to give hope in the midst of this society’s ME-FIRST attitude. I recently read about a truly inspiring and exceptional young lady with a totally different approach to life...Shalee Lehning. Shalee exemplified President Kennedy's "Ask Not..." challenge and she fully understood that what really mattered most was not how she "stood out" individually, but how she made those around her better.

She was a point guard at Kansas State University. For those of you who may not know what a point guard is...it is the person who handles the ball for the team; many of them are exceptional shooters and leading scorers too! Consequently, the "spot light" is constantly on them, and, so, their ME-FIRST ego is constantly fed...and they savor every minute of it. 

But not Shalee Lehning. Her focus was on her team. She was totally committed to "assisting" others and making them better. As a result, she was the ALL TIME assist leader [An assist in basketball means one player passes the ball to another player who scores the points.] at KSU. Because she was totally committed and successful at "assisting” others, her number 5 jersey was retired and raised to the rafter in the gym at KSU. AND, when she was asked about the honor, she said, "I've always thought there were five of us out there at a given time, which is why I picked number 5!!!" She went on to say the honor was not about her but about the team..."anyone who helped me get where I am today." I encourage each parent to join us in our effort to teach our children to stop asking what others can do for them and, instead, ask what they can do for others.