BALANCING LIFE’S JOURNEY

By: Executive Director Ron Ransom Butler ’00

I’m 30,000 feet in the air — at least, that’s what the pilot said over the loudspeaker. We’re flying at 500 mph, which feels about right for how fast my mind is racing. I’m heading home after a productive but exhausting Executive Council meeting, fully aware that rest will be brief before another conference kicks off Monday evening. It’s a grind and I love it.

But as we slice through the sky, my thoughts drift to the clouds. I think of my family, my friends, the need for rest, and the ever-growing list of things left undone. I know I won’t finish everything today. There’s just so much to do.

It makes me think about time and how fleeting and fragile it can be. Each day comes with 86,400 seconds. And every day, we choose how to spend them, never knowing how many we have left. There are no perfectly right choices, and no perfectly wrong ones, just your choices. But every decision we make carries consequences not just for ourselves, but for those around us. And for some, the privilege of choice is shaped or limited by circumstances far beyond their control. In both cases, those consequences can be life-altering.

That’s what this issue of The Shield is all about: decisions and defining moments. We’re sharing the stories of members who have faced both ordinary and extraordinary situations that changed the course of their lives and often, the lives of others. Some found purpose. Some found challenge. Many are still finding their way.

Brother Andrew Marshall URI ’97, found his purpose in the seafood industry, which opened doors to serve both his community and the nation. Brother Jason Hurdich CSUN ’93, turned a passion for teaching into a career rooted in ASL and Deaf culture. Brother David Hague Florida ’67 (WVU ’63), made the bold choice to transfer to the University of Florida in 1964 to help establish the Florida Beta Chapter.

Each of these stories reminds us that life is full of defining choices. And with each one, we’re left to wrestle with a familiar question: How do you balance a life full of work, relationships, goals, dreams, and desire?

I’ve heard people talk about “finding balance” like it’s a destination — something you eventually reach if you just follow the right steps. Watch a YouTube video, read a self-help book, or download a new app to optimize your life. But where’s the joy in that?

To me, balance isn’t a destination; it’s a daily decision. One that’s shaped by our past experiences, future aspirations, and the many obstacles we meet along the way. People may agree or disagree with how you navigate your path. They may judge you, celebrate you, despise you, or love you. But ultimately, how you face each day is up to you.

“…even the stumbles and difficult days have helped shape who I am.”

That’s a freedom I hold close … and if I’m lucky enough to wake up tomorrow, I’ll do it with a smile, grateful for the chance to put two feet on the ground and do this whole life thing for another day. I’m not claiming to have the secret to balancing it all, and I’m pretty sure those around me would agree I’m nowhere close to figuring it out. To be honest, I’m not sure I want to. Because even the stumbles and the difficult days have helped shape who I am.

As students return to campus this fall, many of them will begin to face these same kinds of decisions. No longer will mom or dad be in their ear, reminding them to finish their homework, take out the trash, or clean their room. More importantly, they’ll reach many of the same crossroads others have encountered before them, and that many more will face long after they’re gone. And the choices ahead will only grow more complex.

That’s why I keep coming back to one simple question:
If today were your last day on Earth, would you have any regrets?

Each time, I try to make decisions that lead me back to the same answer:

I wouldn’t.

Ronald K. Ransom II