Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

[531 words] I used to coach high school football with a gentlemen who also served our state as a Kentucky State Trooper. Kids loved him (and still do) and I learned about life while being in his presence. When it came to dealing with emotions or people, he was, as my momma would say, “cool as a cucumber.” I noticed he never really got upset, but was firm, fair, and focused with all interactions (even referees). He always had a lot of funny little sayings. One of them I remember most is he would say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff, because it’s all small stuff!” Of course the context of this statement was aimed at “coach” trying to calm the nerves of a bunch of teenage boys before a game against other teenage boys in front of a crowd of fans. Needless to say, the air would always be tense….