By WILLIE SPEARS
When negative parts of our private life become public, it affects our home in a significant way.
One way to lose at home is to embarrass your loved ones.
When you see allegations on the news, do you think about how the news affects the accused’s family?
The family members have nothing to do with the accusation, but one family member’s action impacts them just like a team.
When one part suffers, all parts suffer. When one part rejoices, all parts rejoice.
Kirk Franklin, the 16-time Grammy-winning gospel music legend, apologized recently after his son, Kerrion Franklin, leaked a profane recording of an argument between the two that included physical threats against his son.
This was a private conversation that went public and caused Franklin to lose at home.
Rush Propst is one of the top high school football coaches in the country, winning a High School National Championship in 2015, five state championships in Alabama and two state championships in Georgia.
Recently, a profane recording was leaked of him asking for money to recruit high school players and alleging he has witnessed major colleges use this same strategy.
This was a private conversation that went public and caused Propst to lose at home.
Kevin Durant has won two NBA World Championships and Most Valuable Player awards and is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Recently Durant was fined $50,000 for “offensive and derogatory” language in a text correspondence.
This was a private conversation that went public and caused Durant to lose at home.
Winning takes a team effort, and so does losing. When we make decisions in public or private, it affects those we love.
Kirk Franklin, Rush Propst, and Kevin Durant had no clue their private communications would become public.
This negative publicity is not what they wanted or what they needed.
When we focus on winning at home, it governs our decisions and helps us navigate through life.
Our moms, dads, spouses and children want to be proud of us, not embarrassed by us.
Although we all have weak moments and make mistakes, the real version of us comes out when we get squeezed.
When we leave the house, our natural body odor is covered up by fragrances from soap, shampoo, toothpaste, hair products, lotions and laundry detergent found in our clothes.
The same is true in the way we communicate with others.
When having a disagreement with a co-worker, I was asked if I wanted him to keep it real.
I responded by saying definitely not; I wanted him to keep it professional.
Keeping it real is too dangerous, in my opinion.
Especially if the realness has the potential to hurt those not involved.
Smartphones have ensured there are no more private moments.
Speak up; you are being recorded.
Smile; you are on camera.
Be on your best behavior because trust is hard to find.
Three ways to Win At Home:
- Always act as if you are being recorded.
- Be careful of what you say and how you say it.
- Think about your loved ones when you feel like giving someone a piece of your mind.
I don’t know about you, but I want to Win At Home.
I am praying for you and your family.
1 Peter 5:7 reads: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Willie Spears is a Northwestern alumnus. Now a motivational speaker, Spears maintains ties to his alma mater. To learn more about the author, visit https://williespears.com.