Experiences of a lifetime: Hidden treasures are everywhere you look

Since we last talked, I have now wrapped up my last state convention for the year in South Carolina. In total, I went to eight — Alabama, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Washington.

The time has truly flown by, and as I look back on those individual events and time spent in convention centers, in conversation, at dinners, on planes and getting some shut-eye in my hotel room, a couple of insights strike me.

First, leadership and impact occurs in the small moments. At times this year I have struggled with my expectation of leadership being grand, life-changing speeches and conversations that shape lives.

Unfortunately, I feel like I have not always been able to deliver on that expectation. However, I have been able to get José out of his seat to dance and enjoy convention.

I took the time to talk to Charlie during my workshop when she was leaning against the wall and not enjoying things. I sat down with Roy long enough to learn more than his cowboy boots and Tombstone hat would first tell you.

Those small moments are what I — and we — can cling to. Being a “perfect parent” is impossible, but when are the moments you have been able to show up? Work is a struggle, but when have you felt fulfilled?

Second, present happiness is not the way you should evaluate your current day, week or month. If you will humor another poem, I wrote this a couple of years ago.

In the past we can see what has been built so clearly,

Beautiful structures crafted by the countless days.

I thought I turmoiled endlessly.

The future gives us no such insight,

Only the hope, if we toil frequently with consistency,

The same past view will come to me.

Sometimes, we don’t feel great. Lack of sleep. A problem with the family. A long to-do list. But despite the way I feel, I have had to trust that as long as I continue, as long as I work toward what I care about, as long as I keep moving forward, I will be able to look back and be proud of the way I have spent my life.

There were a few times during this travel season of life where I was struggling, but as I look back, it was all a beautiful experience that I will cherish.

Thaddeus Bergschneider, a former member of the Franklin FFA Chapter in west-central Illinois, is the 2024-2025 president of the National FFA Organization.