For those of you that know me personally, you know that I am a proud band geek. I love everything about band geek culture. It has been a part of me since childhood, and was solidified in my high school years. In fact, I attribute my involvement in band (and the impact of the incomparable Roger Weyersberg) to much of the discipline and success I have today; not to mention my love for multiple genres of music.

During my junior year of high school I began to take things a bit more seriously, especially in band. I finally did what Mom begged me to do for years, I applied myself. And as a senior, I was the assistant drum major of the Marauder Marching Band. (Yes, it is as prestigious as it sounds!) The last couple years of high school band, especially band camp, are probably in my top ten list of best moments in life. I loved playing music and learning about leadership. I loved my classmates, many of whom I am still close friends with today. I loved being among people who were as weird as me, and who embraced their individuality in concert with the collective (pun intended).

Now that I am in my forties, having married a fellow band geek and fathered two additional band geeks, I am happy to still be involved in the band. I no longer play the trombone, nor conduct the marching band, but I serve as a chaperone and use my medical skills to assist at band camp with my daughters. And though it is exhausting and trying at times, I find it an amazing blessing to still be a part of this group; my people.

But aside from the joy of still being a part of this tribe, the greatest blessing for me is to be involved in the lives of these young people; even if it is nothing more than being present with them.

Let me give you a quick example. Two week ago I was at my most recent band camp. And as band camp schedules go, there are often opportunities to play a few games, chat, and banter amid the grueling rehearsal sessions. One such game night found me sharing a table with four students. At other tables, there were card and board games being played, but not at my table. Mr. Ladiski wanted to learn a bit more about the two freshmen and two juniors sitting with me…

In the “My Top 3s” section of my website, I mention my number one favorite podcast, Live Inspired Podcast with John O’Leary. And in every interview, O’Leary asks his guests a series of seven questions called the “Live Inspired Seven” to end the segment. I love this part of his show. The answers vary and are always insightful about his guests. Thus, I have asked these questions to many of my friends in an effort to deepen our friendships. I thought it was a perfect opportunity to do the same with my youthful band geek friends.

I won’t go through all of the questions, but I will give you one example…

“If you had the opportunity to sit on a bench, overlooking a beach, on a gorgeous day, with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? And what’s the first thing you would ask this person?”

As I asked my friends these questions and began to hear their responses, I was taken aback. (I mean, seriously, do teenagers have enough life experience to answer such deep questions?) Let me tell you, the answer is a resounding YES! I am not going to share any of their answers with you, after all, I didn’t ask the questions in order to publish a blog post. But I want all of us to learn something from my experience…

Our youth are amazing! They are not the simple caricatures of weakness and ineptitude that are often presented to define them. They face much different challenges than I ever remember having to face at their age. And in spite of this, they long to make an impact on this world. They have deep feelings. They have great dreams. They have intense individuality. But all to often, their passions, and ideas, and uniqueness, and spirits are squashed. Why? Because, maybe, it’s easier to view a caricature than to engage a soul. However, if there is one thing I learned in this brief moment at band camp, it is this…

It is always, always worth the effort to engage a soul!

A very special thank you to these young people for keeping this old fart in their tribe, and for enriching my life!

Do you have a good story about a youthful spirit in your life? If so, please share! Please comment below to start a conversation, or feel free to contact me privately.

Be well…

P.S. If you have a story to tell and would like to join Jim Ladiski Writes as a guest blogger, please contact me!