Sunday Quote

"As a being of power, intelligence, and the master of his own thoughts, a man holds the key to every situation, to make his life what he chooses it to be.  When he discovers the divine power within his soul, he can lead his life to a God-like nature.  If one dreams lofty dreams, so shall he become.  There is magic in the way one thinks.  If we expect the worst, we will get the worst.  If we expect the best, we will receive the best.  If we train our minds to have faith in God and ourselves, we are using one of the great laws of life.  If we think and live righteously, happiness will find its place in our lives.  It is amazing when we expect the best how forces are set in motion which cause the best to materialize.  Our thoughts more than circumstances determine the course of our lives.  Outward circumstances do not determine the course of our lives as much as the thoughts that habitually occupy our minds.  These thoughts carve their impression on our faces, in our hearts, and on the tablet of our eternal souls."

Howard W. Hunter

Watching the Game from the Bench

It was the start of a new season for my High School Varsity Basketball Team, I was still so happy I had made the team and was playing with older boys that I aspired to be like.  We had won a away game and were headed, as a team to a restaurant after the game.  I was in the back of all of the boys with another of my friends who was also one of the younger players, when my coach grabbed me by the back of the elbow like he always did to get you to squirm in pain and get your attention.  We both stopped walking and he put his arm around my shoulders and asked if I knew how many points I had scored.  I was still stoked because I actually had a couple points this game despite my limited playing time, (two made free throws).  I answered him like I didn't really know "Oh a couple...."  He interrupted me and said "I put you in the game to SCORE, but you don't shoot the ball!"  I was taken back a little.  I was just a kid who was lucky enough to make the team.  I was happy just to put on the uniform and warm up with the other kids and get a little playing time in.  My coach continued "I can't have you in the game if you don't shoot the ball" he then began to build me up and let me know how much confidence he had in my game and in my shot, and that he thought that I could be a leading scorer on the team if I would just "Look for my Shot".  

I took his advice, that year I was awarded Best 3-Point Shooter as I lead the team in 3 point shots, the following two years under my same coach I was awarded team MVP and all tournament player in multiple tournaments.

I look back on that night quite often and think of how it would have been different if I had not taken my coaches advice and quietly watched as the other kids played as I sat on the bench.  

Now as an adult I wonder how many opportunities have slipped by because I was to afraid of failing, or I didn't think I was good enough, or I was just content to be average, or my bad habits made me feel like I didn't deserve to be as successful as the next guy.  Well a little over a year ago I was re-introduced to the world of Personal Development.  My coach gave me my first book touching on the subject back in high school "Success is a Choice" by Rick Pitino.  This last year I have surrounded my self with books, cd's and people that have assisted me in believing in my true potential like my coach did for me years ago. I am exited for what is coming up in my life now that I know I can Be Do and Have anything I set my mind to despite any circumstances. Besides what fun is it to watch the game from the Bench!