We Get to Begin Again

As we’ve shared recently in our blogs and through social media posts, we have a wall of images in our office that represent our teammates’ “Coins”. This display has become a great reminder for all of us of the depth of our full-time staff and our team of Expert Facilitators, and what we all value.  

In this week’s blog, our colleague and COO, Jake Higginbotham, gives us a glimpse into his values, and shares some of the currency beneath one of the images he chose.

Jake, a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant, has led at all levels, from tactical to strategic, within small teams, and large organizations spanning thousands. He has vast experience in communications, cyber operations, intelligence, and special operations. With 28 years of service and numerous deployments, Jake possesses a refined ability to develop, nurture, and motivate diverse workforces. His strengths lie in overcoming adversity, fostering cohesion, and elevating teamwork. He is a Saint Leo grad with a master’s in Criminal Justice/Critical Incident Management. 

He has been with Game On for over three years now, and we're so grateful for the excellence, experience, and leadership that Jake brings to our team.

- Steve Shenbaum

This “Coins” picture captures so many things I love: physical activity, movement, the ocean, and surfing. Each represents something meaningful to me and the way I want to experience life. But of everything captured in this image, the one that means the most to me is the sunrise.

I had the privilege of serving with Pacific Air Forces, headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. During my time there, I lived in Kailua on the eastern, or windward, side of the island, less than a mile from where this picture was taken. The image looks out from Castles Beach toward the rising sun, a view that carries a lot of meaning for me.

Nature has a way of creating perspective.

There’s something powerful about watching the first light break over the horizon and a new day come to life. In the words of singer songwriter Zach Bryan, there’s Something in the Orange. I never grew tired of watching the sunrise then, and I don’t think I ever will. It has a way of slowing me down. It reminds me to be present, stay curious, and appreciate the experience of life rather than simply rush through it.

It also connects me to something deeper. Standing at the edge of the ocean and watching the sun rise is both a humbling and spiritual experience. The vastness of the water, the power of the waves, and the certainty of the sun appearing over the horizon remind me that I am a very small part of something much bigger and far more powerful than myself. There is humility in that realization, but also peace. I don’t have to understand or control everything. Sometimes it is enough to simply be present, take it all in, and appreciate the privilege of being part of it.

A sunrise also represents opportunity.

No matter what happened yesterday, what went right, what went wrong, what we accomplished, or what we wish we had done differently, the sun still rises. With it comes a fresh start, a new opportunity, and another chance to move forward. We get to begin again.

For me, time in nature, especially at sunrise, is a way to clear the mind, restore the spirit, and regain perspective. It reminds me how big and beautiful the world is, how much there is still to experience, and how important it is not to miss the moments along the way.

Enjoy the ride. Nature on. Sunrise on.