Get Into The Parade
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Mobile, Alabama, isn't just another Gulf Coast port. It is my hometown and where Mardi Gras started, long before New Orleans learned to throw beads. I grew up there, and the first lesson was simple: You can watch the parade from the sidewalk, or you can jump the barricade and be part of the show. Early in life, I chose to jump the barricade and get into the parade.
Once over the barricade, it became clear to me that I wanted to be in the parade. Throughout my career, I have looked for other people who want to "get in the parade" and found that in a former student, Mac. He recently posted about being in the Oklahoma Thunder World Championship parade, and it reminded me to write about this experience.
Mac fell for basketball in fifth grade. He practiced his autograph on notebook paper, convinced it would appear on NBA jerseys. That dream topped out in high school when he realized he wasn't headed for the draft. Most folks pack it in there. Mac pivoted. If he couldn't dunk under the lights, he'd help a team win from behind the scenes. Fast-forward 20 years.
Mac runs ticket sales for the Oklahoma City Thunder. His team repeats one mantra: Every seat counts. They believe a sold-out building turns volume into victories. No crossovers, no threes, just phones, persistence and faith that noise tilts the floor.
Game 7, NBA Finals, Thunder versus Pacers. Confetti flies, fans lose their minds and Mac stands at center court. The kid who once scribbled his signature is in the NBA after all, pulling the ropes on the biggest float in the league. Five Truths 'Getting In The Parade' Teaches
1. Winning often wears a different jersey than you expected. Mac never logged a minute of playing time, yet his work hung a banner. Redefine your scoreboard.
2. Talent travels. The discipline forged in empty gyms turned into relentless ticket sales. Move your strengths where they matter.
3. Mentors hold the ladder while you climb. In his Facebook post, Mac rattles off Lolly, Lynn, Wrigley, Nat, Marty, Matt. Success leaves fingerprints, so keep your thank-you list close.
4. Put the home front first. His wife runs bedtime solo 40-plus nights a year. Championship rings shine brightest when you remember who held the flashlight.
5. Purpose powers the grind. Mac sells tickets but talks about competitive edge. Tie your work to a mission bigger than the paycheck. Your Turn To March
Mobile taught me early that the curb is safe but forgettable. The parade is loud, messy and memorable. Look at your life. Are you planting your feet on the sidewalk or stepping into the parade?
Grab a spot, bang the drum and get into the parade. If you haven't been to Mobile, you should check it out. After all, that is where Mardi Gras began. Maybe go during Mardi Gras season and "get in the parade." It's time to find out where your next chapter can take you.
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