Byron's Babbles

There is so much power in an invitation. An invitation holds power because it is a gesture of inclusion and connection. I was reminded of this a couple of weeks ago during the National FFA Convention. Ambra Tennery, Associate Director, Educational Development & Evaluation Programs, had her seventh grade middle school FFA member daughter, Brinley, at convention. Up until convention, I had not spent a lot of time with Brinley. Then, on the first day of convention when I got back to the convention headquarters from doing an administrator’s workshop Brinley had just sat down for lunch and called over to me and said, “Byron, will you come sit by me and have lunch with me?” “Of course,” I said. I was blown away. The power of the invitation! We had an incredible conversation and I was reminded how good it feels to be invited. When someone extends an invitation to us, it signifies that they value our presence and want us to be a part of something. It can make us feel wanted, appreciated, and included.

Additionally, an invitation can also have the power to open up new possibilities and experiences for us. It can give us the opportunity to step outside of our comfort zones, try new things, and meet new people. An invitation can also create a sense of anticipation and excitement, as we look forward to what the event or gathering might bring. Yesterday, at an Utah FFA leadership conference I told the story of Brinley’s lunch invitation and asked if anyone had been invited by another member to attend the conference. One young lady was quick to respond, “Yes!” I asked her how it made her feel. She said, “Very special and I am getting a lot out of today because I feel privileged to be here.” Let me tell you, that is how I felt when asked to sit and have lunch with Brinley – special!

Furthermore, this proves how important it is to make sure our students are having real world conversations and interactions with adults. As I mentioned, Brinley is a seventh grader but can carry on a conversation better than many adults I know. Having had the honor to hang out with Brinley quite a bit during convention it was like I was conversing with a college student. Her parents and agriculture teacher/FFA advisor have done a great job of making sure she is having the important opportunities to observe and learn from adults. Clearly these experiences offer valuable insights and help students develop important life skills. Interacting with adults can broaden students’ perspectives and expose them to different ideas and viewpoints. This can help them develop critical thinking skills and enhance their ability to understand and empathize with others.

Let’s never forget the power of an invitation lies in its ability to foster connection, create new opportunities, and evoke positive emotions. Also, we don’t want to forget how important conversations and interactions with adults can contribute to the holistic development of young students, fostering personal growth, learning, and positive relationships. Who do you need to invite?