WINSDAY WISDOM 310
March Madness is a cultural phenomenon. It is synonymous with the college basketball national championship tournament. It features the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
March Madness resonates with buzzer beaters, upsets, Cinderella stories, crazy fans, crying towels, and cutting down the net celebrations. The range of emotions runs the gamut from tears to cheers, chills to thrills, bumps to jumps, glares to prayers.
For me, March Madness epitomizes my life in a nutshell. It highlights the guiding principles in my life learned from the #1 Textbook and our family values.
By God’s design, I grew up in a coach’s family world where sports was a profession and way of life supported by our faith in God. My dad, my brother, and my son are Hall of Fame coaches.
Every year of my life has been defined by the lows, the highs, the sudden end of the season, followed by a time of reflection and gratitude for the joy of the journey. Then it is time to begin again. One mantra echoed through every season from start to finish to repeat.
Character matters. Always do your best. Have fun. Never quit.
I encourage you to consider these principles for life whatever describes and defines your life’s journey.
- ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST
That is all about your EFFORT. You cannot control your opponent, the referee calls, the bad bounces of the ball, injuries, or all the circumstances. You do control your effort. Always do your best!
2. HAVE FUN.
That is all about your ATTITUDE. Enjoy life in both the good and tough times. No one else controls your attitude. We tend to let the actions of others or unwanted circumstances affect how we feel and react. The attitude of joy and gratitude is God-given for you to access in all situations and around all people.
Whatever happens in your life, in the end you will wish you had gone through it with more joy. So, start enjoying life more today.
3. NEVER QUIT. NEVER!
The determination to never quit involves emotional TOUGHNESS which manifests itself by loving endurance, perseverance, and hope.
Sports is just one of the learning schools for life. Winning championships is hard. Both the preparation and the journey necessitate toughness. It is not for the faint-hearted or for quitters.
Sports competition is hard and challenging. It is much more than just winning and applause.
Life is hard. Marriage is hard. Parenting is hard. The easy way out is to quit or change circumstances or replace teammates.
We hope that lessons learned in athletic endeavors help young men and women in life not to quit being a faithful and supportive spouse. Not to quit being a loving and exemplary mom or dad. Not to quit at work. Not to quit using your platform of influence to help others.
Whether the words are echoed by Winston Churchill or cancer patient Coach Jim Valvano or a preacher quoting the Bible. “Finish the race. Never quit. Never, never, never quit!”
One does not have to be a sports enthusiast to share these same sentiments. From handymen to teachers to medical professionals to first responders to whatever marks your love and lifestyle, these principles can apply.
I believe they are wisdom gems for those facing a medical crisis, relationship issues, or any challenge in life.
Ball player, billionaire, or bum. Always do your best. Have fun. Never quit!
“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (#1 Textbook).
Love God and love others. Love first and love most!
I do not know what challenge in life you are currently or soon to be facing.
I pray you might embrace it as your one shining moment where you give all you have to give with all the joy you can share for as long as it takes.
No one except God might know how hard it was or how long you persevered. But inside you will know and feel the thrill of knowing you always did your best, you had a good attitude, and you never quit.
One Shining Moment is the iconic song associated with the televised NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. The CBS March Madness theme song sends chills up and down the spines of aspiring, retiring, and wanna-be basketball stars who dream of giving everything they have on the competitive court.
The ball is tipped
and there you are
you’re running for your life
you’re a shooting star
And all the years
no one knows
just how hard you worked
but now it shows…
(in) ONE SHINING MOMENT, IT’S ALL ON THE LINE
ONE SHINING MOMENT, THERE FROZEN IN TIME
But time is short
and the road is long
in the blinking of an eye
ah that moment’s gone
And when it’s done
win or lose
you always did your best
cuz inside you knew…
(that) ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU REACHED DEEP INSIDE
ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU KNEW YOU WERE ALIVE
Feel the beat of your heart
feel the wind in your face
it’s more than a contest
it’s more than a race…
And when it’s done
win or lose
you always did your best
cuz inside you knew…
(that) ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU REACHED FOR THE SKY
ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU KNEW
ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU WERE WILLING TO TRY
ONE SHINING MOMENT….
(written by David Barrett and love the version sung by Luther Van Dross)
I pray your love for God and others will show up in the One Shining Moment heavenly highlights.
LOVE FIRST...LOVE MOST 