American Ideals and JUGHEADS: Liberty

Introduction. I love our country, its founding principles, and the unalienable rights it offers its citizens (via our Creator). I doubt if JH in its current form (including our unique founding) could even exist in another country, and I’ve consciously celebrated American ideals in many aspects of how this “American-made” company is run.

Part 2: Liberty. Most definitions of “liberty” contain the word “freedom” as a common synonym. It’s one of the most hope-filled words of human existence! Our own Liberty Bell (A.D. 1751) has a quote from Leviticus 25:10 engraved on it: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” The original quote was Jehovah God speaking to the nation of Israel through Moses, and it’s a poignant example that our American founding fathers’ concept of liberty had roots far deeper and higher than mere temporal wisdom or cultural opinion.

Hand-in-hand with true liberty/freedom is personal responsibility. Liberty is not primarily a license for flippant autonomy and selfish ambition; it’s ultimately self-control to choose for oneself the best courses in life rather than have them dictated by a ruler. Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.” Regarding self-government, JFK said it “requires qualities of self-denial and restraint,” and famed journalist Paul Harvey said it “won’t work without self-discipline.” And one of the most iconic quotes in American history points to the precious nature of liberty as not mere freedom of choice, but rather freedom from tyrannical oppression: “Give me liberty or give me death!” (Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775)

Here in the 21st century, I run JH by maximizing freedom and minimizing rules. Yes, we have daily meetings, warm-ups & standards; a Code of Conduct for traveling; and high expectations placed on the membership by our adult leaders and the SLT, but there remains a remarkable percentage of time at club & camp where kids have a lot of say over how they invest their time. 

Part of this strategy comes from my career background in childcare, where I often saw the same core kids five days a week year-round, so we could “afford” to have long periods of time where productivity took a backseat to relationships and simply hanging out. (Even in those years, I routinely had 4th-6th graders who learned seven balls and five clubs long before I had any official standards!) Part of it comes from the knowledge that motivation to improve (or create a routine or initiate a conversation) has to come from within a member rather than constantly dictated by the leaders.
On the negative side, the more freedom one has (as a citizen and as a Jughead), the more possibility of wasting the freedom or even using it for licentiousness in whatever forms. On the positive side, maximum freedom means a person can truly explore the limits of personal possibilities with minimal (if any) constraints—except perhaps limited time.

Many parents have expressed to me that juggling skills are low on the list of priorities of why they support their kids as Jugheads. It’s the personal character taught through the juggling, performing and relationships that is a prized element of involvement. So I remain patient with kids who hardly achieve records but every few weeks, but who feel safe, accepted, loved, and challenged to pursue excellence at their own pace and in their own timing. That’s liberty, and it’s one more reason our mosaic of membership is a microcosm of the diversity and melting pot that is the United States of America.

American Ideals and JUGHEADS: Overview/Life

Introduction. I’ve never served in the military, held political office, or otherwise proven to be a super-patriot, but I’m a common man who loves our country nonetheless. The very existence of this one-of-a-kind entrepreneurial endeavor called JUGHEADS, LLC is a testament to several American ideals that I hold dear. That was why I chose red & blue as our JH colors in 1999, and it’s why I’m dedicating 2016 to a 10-part column series celebrating American ideals as reflected in this youth juggling company.

Part 1: Overview/Life. At a recent Monday Rec. meeting, I covered four main topics: the Vikings, the MONDO Festival, our JJ18 routine, and introducing our newest member. As I wrapped up, I asked the club, “Which of my announcements was the most important?” Two astute middle schoolers replied it was the one regarding our new member. I agreed, saying that if it weren’t for the people that make up our club rosters, we’d have no company!

Expanding on this trivial example of a profound lesson, life was so important to our founding fathers that it headed up the list of selected rights in The Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Life is first and foremost among our country’s ideals­—paired with its source, our Creator.

In many countries throughout history, and indeed today, life is cheap at best and expendable at worst. Billions of God’s image-bearers are consigned to unjust socioeconomic status ranging from serfdom to caste systems to aristocracy to slavery, with little or no hope of advancement in (or escape from) one’s societal standing. More on the ideal of Happiness (Opportunities) in March; for now, I assert that despite our country’s sins (past and present), we remain the best example of a nation that dignifies individual human lives regardless of power, position, or pedigree.

Irrespective of one’s political views on immigration, I believe that the nature of America’s founding, largely informed by Judeo-Christian values, makes ours a country to which people flee. We’re a beacon of hope for the “tired...poor...huddled masses yearning to be free” as inscribed on Lady Liberty. And while I strongly favor the vetting process and other steps preventing illegal and nefarious immigration, it’s awesome that the U.S. continues to be life-empowering for many millions. (More on Liberty in February.)

Our system of justice, at its best, is set up to protect the weak. Again, we have flaws, but considering world history and the dark places of the world, one need not reflect long to realize that the tired, poor, disabled, young, old, weak, and oppressed are (or should be) protected in America. (More on Justice in October.)

Like America, JH went from a set of upstart clubs (“colonies”) to an independent company (“nation”) as it developed from 1994-2005. I founded JH with the worldview that every child is created in God’s image and is inherently valuable regardless of age, ability, or so-called “quality of life.” America is one nation with 50 states and 322 million citizens; JH is one company with six clubs and 120 members. My sister’s church in Duluth has a motto: “Love God. Love people. Period.” That’s a celebration of life, and that’s what we try to do every day at JH—thanks in large part to the rights that have been championed in America since 1776.

Realism and Contentment

My original title for this column was “Succumbing to Excuses,” but I’m feeling a little more optimistic than when I thought of that title a couple of months ago. You see, going through middle age causes a person to continually re-adjust expectations in life: physical, professional, relational, financial. The younger man in me (aka George Bailey in the first half of It’s a Wonderful Life) optimistically saw the world as one big challenge to conquer, yet it rarely crossed my mind “back then” that some of the habits, opportunities, adventures and friendships would represent peaks and permanence, not transient experiences, en route to a fulfilled life. Being ever-conscientious, I don’t believe I’ve ever treated people or projects as mere stepping stones, but I do confess to some occasional delusions of grandeur, such as perhaps being discovered for hidden talents that would at least expand if not change my career direction and application of skills. However, like the older George Bailey (middle-aged when he had that terrifying glimpse into being erased from the memory of man), I’ve been overcoming much cynicism and now enjoy seeing the countless blessings of having stayed in JH (Bedford Falls, as it were) despite former yearnings for other (literal) stages or (literal) pages.

As for personal goals, I’ll always have those, but I need not let failure (self-imposed or otherwise) rob me of contentment within the reality of my limitations. After all, many if not all of life’s goals are means toward the end of true self-fulfillment, which is elusive if we can’t enjoy a contented reality that doesn’t live up to optimistic fantasy.

There is another area of life where I don’t have to succumb to sober realism but can still afford reckless expectations for continual growth: all things spiritual. The Apostle Paul wrote, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16, ESV). It is a blessed hope that even as dreams adjust to reality and bodies and social energies slow down, the inner self can get stronger daily. That’s why character teaching in JH always trumps physical skills, and why the life lessons we try to reinforce (or introduce) come with the hope of the longest possible impact—far outlasting any one year, career, or lifetime. Be content with the profound simplicity of inner growth, and keep reaching for all the tools to help that forever goal.

30,000 Short Days

I often reflect on the brevity of life, and I love Moses’ prayer in Psalm 90:12, when he asks the LORD, “Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” In verse 10, he wrote, “The years of our life are 70, or even by reason of strength 80.” Interesting claims: first, because the humble leader Moses himself lived to be 120 (a 50% boost of his generalized lifespan estimate); second, because about 3,300 years later, even here in the wealthy and medically blessed U.S., a quick web search states that Americans’ life expectancy in 2015 is about 78.8 (or 81.1 for Minnesotans)—an extremely accurate fulfillment of Moses’ age-old psalm. (But life expectancies are often much lower in most of the world.)


Let’s take that Minnesotan stat as true and multiply it by 365.25. That means we Minnesotans are “expected” to live 29,622 days—just shy of 30,000. And just as the daylight is growing shorter as we approach next month’s winter solstice, I think most middle- and golden-aged readers would agree that from our perspective, each day, year, and life-stage seem to accelerate as we age. One year isn’t as long as it used to be for seasoned citizens.

Life is precious; time is short; the years (let alone the days) fly by. Love God, love others, and give thanks in all circumstances (truly divine commands). Some say “carpe diem,” and I concur if that means to not waste one’s life but seize opportunities to love and serve others TODAY. But a better phrase (prayer) in our short, trial-filled lives is, “Teach us to number our days.” 30,000 (if that) are far too few. Make them count, and lay up treasure in Heaven.

Running with Rudy and the Godfather

A little influence and encouragement goes a long way. Whether in a literal 26.2 mile race or in the race of life, we need one another to set goals, join the race, keep the pace, and focus on the finish while enjoying the journey. Okay, “enjoying” is a relative term, at least on Summit Avenue...

I’ve written and spoken much over the years about the need to receive and give mentorship. This month saw a unique convergence of the main mentor of my own youth, my big brother Tom Arneberg, and one of my most historically significant mentees, Jughead legend Selby Shlosberg. We all ran and finished the Twin Cities Marathon on 10/4/15! It was Tom’s first, Selby’s 3rd, and my 9th, and we all ran at different paces, but sharing the Expo, Start, Finish, and a post-race feast was special.

Selby (Jughead from ‘98-‘07) was the kind of kid who learned persistence through juggling. Her parents were amazed that she didn’t quit when she didn’t succeed right away, taking until her 10th birthday (five months into 4th grade) to “qualify” three balls. I then named her my first-ever recipient of “The Rudy Award for Persistence” in Juggle Jam 1. Tom (nine years my senior) learned to juggle at age 28, and his direct influence led me (at age 20, the year Selby was born) to learn to juggle and learn to work with kids, hence my dubbing him “the godfather of JUGHEADS.” Although Tom had heard of my seven marathons as of his 50th birthday, he had never been a runner until a wake-up call (his friend’s death and his own health numbers) drove him to definitively get in shape. Five years later, he’s down about 50 pounds, he’s twice backpacked in Philmont as Scoutmaster of Troop 72, and he exercises daily.

Selby and Tom each invited me to run TCM with them, knowing my year-round commitment to all-seasons running and to share with me their newfound joy (and Type A goals). The three of us are now more peers than mentors or mentees, but we continue to influence each other. And while marathons are rare events on the calendar, isn’t it a blessing that JH, like a family, remains a place where daily mentorship, attainable goals, and relationships flourish in all seasons to spur us on in our journeys? “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us...” (Hebrews 12:1c, ESV)

Mom, 30 Years Later

September 22, 2015, marks 30 years since my mom, Audrey Mae (Bollmann) Arneberg, lost her battle with leukemia at age 51. This was life-changing for me (her baby) and clan-changing for our extended family (she was the main social catalyst), but her earthly legacy lives on in unique ways. As a follow-up to my Juggle Jam 17 tribute to my mom, whose personality inspired me to create so many aspects of this company’s founding and heart, I thought it fitting to share this poem written by family friend Lynn Kerst within hours of Mom’s death and read at her funeral, where the church choir sang and three priests officiated. Mom had five kids, eight siblings, 48 nieces & nephews, and was married to my dad, Ron Arneberg, for 29 years.

     A Tribute to Audrey

     My best friend’s mom, full of joy and surprise
     Light through the kitchen window lit up her twinkling blue eyes.
     She’d sing songs and hymns in her rich alto voice
     While going about her work as a mother—full-time, by choice.
     What a vibrant sense of humor—a joy to be around
     Laughter ringing through the house was a familiar sound.
     To the church and community she was very active.
     A Christian, an Optimist, she had so much to give.

     Vivid memories flash by:
     Blowing bubbles with gum called Bap.
     Holding a baby on her lap.
     Pepperoni spaghetti simmering on the stove.
     Watching her Little League sons catch pop flies in their gloves.
     For Girl Scout activities she’d readily volunteer,
     Always adding so much extra fun and cheer.
     Setting up her portable lawn chair for games, parades, the beach.
     So involved with her children—to encourage, to love, to teach.
     Winner of “Foto Funnies” and “Dialing For Dollars Letter Game”–
     Calling “Is there an ‘N’ as in ‘Norbert’?” brought her fame.
     Bridge player, Bowler, loved to take trips
     Her ‘fridge and bulletin board were covered with newspaper clips.
     Through illness and trials she had courage and strength like no other,
     Even knitted a blanket from her hospital bed for her brother.

     On the last day of summer, she lived her last day.
     Like the season, we’ll miss her brightness, warmth & cheerfulness in every way.

     Audrey Arneberg—relative, friend, devoted mother and wife,
     We are all so fortunate who shared a part of her short and precious life.
 
     Audrey Arneberg, 1933-1985

The minute she died, Mom’s last words to me were, “I love you, Paul. You’re a good boy, and stay that way.” By Jesus’ grace, I continue to pass on my mom’s love, example and charge by making a career out of helping to shape youth not my own, but rather loaned to me for a moment in time to be developed...for good.

Sunrise, Sunset: Half a Lifetime of Youth Work

As this column often focuses on my personal experiences, I risk being perceived as narcissistic, self-important, or preachy. However, I love (measured) transparency, so please indulge this career milestone reflection, including my commission of sorts.

On 5/19/92 at 4:03 p.m. in the parking lot of the Edina Community Center, I prayed in my car before my first interview with KIDS Club Founder Linda Sisson. I wrote in my prayer journal, “Whether or not I get this job, and whichever career direction You choose to give me right now, I WANT TO RISE AND SAY THAT IT WAS GOD WHO DID IT, BECAUSE I COULDN’T DO IT MYSELF” (emphasis in the original). I didn’t want my personal charisma or interviewing skills to land me the job; I wanted it to be God’s will, partly because I felt scared to death to take on the full-time responsibility of managing a huge older childcare program at age 23 with virtually no supervisory experience and only one summer of working with kids. As we ended the interview, Linda asked, “Is there anything else?” I replied, “I want you to know that my motivation to love the kids is my Christianity.” She smiled and nodded; granted me a 2nd interview; and I started on 6/1/92.

23 of my 46 years have been devoted to full-time vocational youth work in Edina, MN. I’ve written and said much regarding my journey, and perhaps the reason I’m so introspective is this remains a one-of-a-kind job. Believe me, I’ve bandied about ideas such as teaching, youth pastoring, speaking, writing, and entertaining. This was especially true after college graduation (Dec. ‘91); during my first bout of career restlessness (Winter ‘94); in career burnout (‘97-‘98); and Winter ‘15, when our relocation was unknown. Through it all, God has provided, I’ve not quit, and I exercise a variety of (learned) director skills.

I never left Edina for Disney World or dinner theatre, but I taste stage performing during Juggle Jams, occasional gigs, and church performances. I was recently rejected by WORLD magazine to take a mid-career writing course for potential part-time reporters, but I get to write this monthly newsletter in addition to many other things for this company. I’ve never taught in a classroom (except Sunday School), but I have the privilege of teaching life lessons and occasionally meeting with students and families outside our normal operating hours for deeper forms of spiritual and relational mentorship (with careful propriety).

I continue in youth work through God’s grace, affirmation, humble gratitude, and opened & closed doors. However long I work with kids—whatever the final fraction of my life—is truly up to God rather than me; He who created the sun has determined how many times it sets before the work of Wendy & me is complete (i.e., God’s work in us--Phil. 2:13). Our mission among swiftly flying years is to be found faithful until we’re called away or called Home.