April 16: An Opportunity to Remember – “Take Five” to Do These Five

When I did research for a presentation on working a room last fall, in Networking for People WhoHate Networking, author, Devora Zack, emphasized that having to network can be seen as an opportunity, even for introverts. As she pointed this out, she shared the Chinese character for crisis above which includes two signs: one for danger and one for opportunity. Being the positive person I am, the idea that opportunity can be found in a crisis really resounded with me and I now have the character on my desk. As I thought about crises I have experienced in the past, one that came to the top of my mind was April 16, 2007.

As the six year anniversary of this tragedy approaches, let’s look for opportunity after this tragedy by “taking five” and doing these five:

Tell your parents, guardians or grandparents you love them Dr. Bryan Cloyd, an accounting professor at Virginia Tech and father of Austin Cloyd, one of the victims of April 16, sent this email to the students in his class, soon after the tragedy:

“If we don’t meet again, your final assignment from me is perhaps the most important lesson you will learn in life. Go to your mother, father, brothers and sisters, and tell them with all your heart how much you love them. And tell them you know how much they love you too. Go out of your way to make good memories…at some point these memories may be all you have left. May God bless you all, Bryan.”

I can’t say it any better than Dr. Cloyd. Tell them today.

Take a step to achieve that goal you have resisted Those 32 members of our Hokie Nation lost their chance to pursue their goals that day. Need help? Read Steven Pressfield’s book, Do the Work. He gives us tips to beat the resistance that is always hovering inside us as we make excuses about reaching our goals. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

Pay homage. Visit the April 16 Memorial, Deriek Crouse Memorial and War Memorial, pausing to reflect on the lives of those in the Hokie Nation whom we have lost. Reflect on what an honor it is to be a part of the Hokie Nation. How are you going to represent this university well with your life and your life’s work?

Thank a Virginia Tech faculty or staff member who has made a difference in your life as a way to honor the faculty who fell that day. The instructor or employee may not even know what an impact she/he made unless you tell that special person. And, gratitude is a powerful emotion to embrace and share. Start making saying thank you a regular routine.

Live up to Ut Prosim, “That I May Serve.” Join VTEngage, or some service organization to make a difference in this world, following the example of so many of those whom we lost that day. Our commitment to service on this campus makes this community a special place and is the glue that binds the Hokie Nation together. Commit to serve whenever you can. Do it for the 32.

Take five to do these five as a means of creating opportunity out of such a horrendous crisis that occurred on our campus. Do it. Do it now. Do it for the 32.