When I think of ways that I could've left Boise if I had decided to go somewhere else for college or whatever, there are many- the political climate isn't good in the rest of Idaho (though Boise is getting better) and there while there is a lot to do in Boise and in an hour radius, the rest of Idaho is pretty barren. Also while my connections are largely here, I have thought numerous times about leaving to greener pastures. But what could've been damaged by me ending up leaving? There are many ways but here are the top 5:
5. Special Olympics would be way different in Idaho: as an athlete, a volunteer, a former intern, part of S.O. College, and a friend to many athletes and coaches, Special Olympics would be a way different entity in Idaho if I left. It would be a lot more trepidation from the athletes, the unified partners and other people in Project Unify wouldn't be able to meet me, I wouldn't have gotten genuine intern experience, and I wouldn't have made many new memories. This is one of the most impact-filled in terms of sheer quantity as I will be doing 3 seasons of sports this year and there are thousands of athletes in there.
4. Southminster wouldn't be the same and there wouldn't be as much positive attitude in Kingdom Collective: I am a favorite of both churches, Southminster because of the familial strength of it and the many people who see me like their own kid or like a member of the family as a younger brother or nephew in some instances. In terms of Kingdom Collective, my amount of identity is one that brings much joy and love to many and change the culture of it and is persistent in prayer. This is definitely a family and that is one reason why this is one of the biggest ways that Boise would be different if I wasn't there.
3. Albertsons' wouldn't be as much of a vaunted store without me or the managers there: I know that this doesn't seem like a huge thing and in terms of grand numbers it's not totally. But for the thousands that come in the store every year to have the best experience more possible with the change in management and for the managers and clerks to make sure that everyone is on their A game and is able to create much more meaning for their own ability of attitude of gratitude, this is big. The store appreciation has gone up 30% in a short time and with the culture of the store and the culture of the management and other people changing, this is big.
2. Disability Advocacy would be largely different: In terms of reaching people this is probably one of the biggest ones because the disability numbers are ticking way upward. People with challenges have become much higher in number and they have continued to need much better changes. Given all the opportunities that the DD Council and the Self-Advocacy Leadership Network has given me and how far-reaching it is, this is probably one of the bigger ways that if I left it would eventually not be as big of a thing especially since the number of people who do the majority of the activities is small which is not indicative of the population.
1. Boise State and the population would be different because of my effect on the campus: I have had numerous amounts of people say to me that if I wasn't there for all of their time at Boise State they would eventually leave. I have also had numerous people tell me that their experience is much better and they are much happier because of their times at Boise State being so good. While I'm a somewhat polarizing figure in the annals of Boise State because I do have an opinion about everything and because I do have an idea for how things should be and because I do things that are unconventional and I am friendly, I have most definitely done more good for Boise State than bad and my leadership acumen is higher than almost any part-time student in the history of the college. I have continued to share my wisdom with many people and that is why it is so high on the list.
So Boise would be a much different place overall. Stay tuned for the final blog before the Hot Bott 100 (coming in April)- top 5 unique true vacation experiences in my life.
