What a Mud Fight Taught Me

One November day during my senior year of high school I was sent home by the principal for the first time in my life. I'd played a practical joke on my buddy Alex earlier in the day and didn't realize he had been plotting for most of lunch period on how to get me back.

For anyone who knows Northern California well, you're familiar with our rainy season. This particular winter it had rained a decent amount so the grass on the quad was quite muddy. Seniors who normally sought to take full advantage of the upperclassmen privilege of eating outside were forced to dwell among mere mortals in the cafeteria.

As I made my to class I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was my friend Paul who stood roughly 6 feet tall and outweighed me by at least 80 pounds. He grip was firm and it was clear he wanted me to stay put. Moments later Alex came from behind tackling me to the ground, pummeling my head right into a giant puddle of mud. The two of us were soon entangled in an all out mud fight. Within minutes the entire school had gathered around the quad to watch.

Not long into our friendly tussle, our principal stormed out. "Alex and Nick, in my office now! What made the episode most troubling to him was that Alex and I were the president and vice-president of the student body. "If this is your idea of student leadership you guys are through!" he said.

There we were, standing before the dean absolutely caked in mud, who thankfully had a sense of humor, or perhaps pity about it all. "I have good news and bad news. The bad news is he wants you off student council. The good news is you can go home early."

After Thanksgiving break our principal had time to cool down and told us we could stay on student council as long as we made a more concerted effort to lead by example. Of course, we obliged.

A few days later I was called into Father Malo's classroom. He was a remarkable teacher and his teachings have stuck with me to this day. He taught a class called, Living and Dying and loved the movie, Dead Poets Society with the late great Robin Williams. What spoke to him about the film was the expression English teacher John Keating inspired his students to live by: Carpe Diem. Latin for "Seize the day."

As Father Malo wrapped up speaking to a student he pulled me aside and said, "Nick, I heard about what you and Alex did. And I want you to know I don't condone it but I also don't condemn it. Whatever it was that compelled you to do that -- to play in the mud without a care, don't ever lose that." He pointed straight to my heart for further emphasis.

I learned that when it comes to matters of the heart one must be bold but not reckless, and protect their youthful spirit at all costs. 

Amazing what you can learn from a little scuffle in the mud.