Brian, Miles, Manny and New York City

Do you remember Kenny, ?

That wonderful gentleman I met in Seymour, Indiana who I wrote
about just before Christmas.

Well, I had another 'Kenny Experience' this past weekend while
doing some consulting work in New York City...

... And I just had to tell you about it.

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Mid-Town Manhattan and
I had just wrapped up a successful seminar at a local training
center.

Absolutely exhausted from the day, but knowing I only had a grand
total of 14 hours in New York, I decided to go for a walk with
a colleague of mine.

Like most tourists, we headed straight for the 'main attractions'
that New York has to offer -

:: Central Park
:: Radio City Music Hall
:: Rockefeller Plaza

About 2 hours into our walkabout, we came up on Central Park and
decided to take a stroll through this majestic and famous
wonderland.

And that's where I met Miles.

Miles was a young kid all of 3 years old.

He caught my attention because he was playing soccer with his
Dad and had that look on his face that always comes when
young people are enjoying being physically active without any
intense competitive pressure from parents or coaches.

70 degrees and sunny...

Central Park...

A kid actually ENJOYING being active...

The moment hit me hard.

"Do you mind if I play with you and your son?" I asked Miles'
Dad.

"That would be great!" he replied.

And so I did - for a full hour.

Miles and me kicked the soccer ball around, made up our own fun
games and enjoyed a beautiful afternoon in New York.

My very prudent colleague, Brina Marcus, someone who you are
going to get to know very well soon enough, was smart enough to
shoot some video of me playing soccer with Miles.

And while I'm excited to show you that video - and I will - what
caught my attention when I went back to the hotel and watched
the video myself, was the audible conversation Brina was having
with Miles' Dad.

"I don't know if you can tell, but Miles walks and runs with a
limp" Miles' Dad was explaining to Brina.

"He had a stroke last year and lost the use of his right side.
I come out here everyday and play with him for at least 60
minutes.  It's amazing to see how physical activity has been able
to restore so much use in his right side.  Physical Therapy
hasn't really helped, but getting outside everyday and just
playing has really made a difference"

Getting outside everyday and playing has really made a
difference, .

Watching the video of me and Miles while listening to his Dad
talk about the ordeal this young boy has been through brought
tears to my eyes.

I'm in the greatest city in the world.

It's crime ridden.

It's dirty.

It's polluted.

It's dangerous.

But right in the center of it all, there's Miles.

Playing soccer, soaking up the sun and smiling.

Because 'just playing' has made all the difference in his life.

I feel blessed and honored to have had those 60 minutes with
Miles.

Just like with Kenny, we tend not to notice what's going on
around us.

We don't realize that everyone we encounter has a story.

I got to share Miles' story for a brief moment of time and if
I did anything to help put a smile on that young boys face, then
I will forever consider my weekend in New York to be a
'success'.

There are kids playing in school yards, parks and playgrounds in
your community right now.

What's there story?

Maybe its time to head out and 'just play' with them.

This story about Miles represents two things to me:

1) Sport and physical activity is a conduit to put a smile on
a kids face.  We should all engage in that innocence more than
we do.

2) We need to stop walking with our heads down and start learning
about the people we come into contact with.  Meeting new people
and knowing old friends are blessing that can't be taken for
granted.  We aren't on this earth for ourselves, we're on this
earth to serve others.

I'm going to share the video of me and Miles with you next week.

As I walked away from the soccer field heading farther into the
vastness of Central Park, Miles ran up and gave me a high five,
waved, smiled and ran back to his Dad.

I'll never forget that smile.

Miles and his infectious personality were still in me head when
I happened upon the famous area of 'Strawberry Fields' and heard
a tribute band playing Beatles songs right in front of the
place John Lennon was killed.

It was a surreal moment that I knew I had to take advantage of.

I sat on a park bench while hundreds of people crowded around
listening to music, enjoying the sun and paying their respects
to a musical icon.

I noticed someone looking at me.

I turned to the gentleman sitting right beside me and was
greeted with a warm and kind smile.

"Hi.  I'm Manny" said this friendly looking older man.

I'll tell you about Manny tomorrow...

'Till next time,

Brian