I have long admired, like most Americans, John Wooden. When I think of Coach Wooden I'm reminded of the power of quiet confidence that is rooted in a deep belief in God. Silence is often a sign of strength. When I think of John Wooden I immediately think of what it looks like to be humble. I'm not sure why he is on my mind tonight, but I wanted to share with you a quote of his I read concerning prayer and his thoughts on talent, fame and conceit. Also, if you get a chance to review his "Pyramid of Success" I would highly recommend it. One final note... He wrote his wife a love letter once a month their entire life together and he continued it after she died.
He was one impressive man.
"Keep it Simple,
Keep it Short,
Keep it Sincere
and Keep it Secret."
He was often quoted as saying:
"Talent is God given, be humble-
Fame is man given, be grateful-
Conceit is self given, be careful."
Finally, one of Coach Wooden's favorite poems was "The Road Ahead" by George Moriarty.
The Road Ahead or the Road Behind
George J. Moriarty
Sometimes I think the fates must grin as we denounce them and insist,
The only reason we can’t win is the fates themselves have missed.
Yet, there lives on the ancient claim – we win or lose within ourselves,
The shining trophies on our shelves can never win tomorrow’s game.
So you and I know deeper down there is a chance to win the crown,
But when we fail to give our best, we simply haven’t met the test
Of giving all and saving none until the game is really won.
Of showing what is meant by grit, of fighting on when others quit,
Of playing through not letting up, it’s bearing down that wins the cup.
Of taking it and taking more until we gain the winning score,
Of dreaming there’s a goal ahead, of hoping when our dreams are dead,
Of praying when our hopes have fled. Yet, losing, not afraid to fall,
If bravely we have given all, for who can ask more of a man
than giving all within his span, it seems to me, is not so far from – Victory.
And so the fates are seldom wrong, no matter how they twist and wind,
It’s you and I who make our fates, we open up or close the gates,
On the Road Ahead or the Road Behind.
Sometimes I think the fates must grin as we denounce them and insist,
The only reason we can’t win is the fates themselves have missed.
Yet, there lives on the ancient claim – we win or lose within ourselves,
The shining trophies on our shelves can never win tomorrow’s game.
So you and I know deeper down there is a chance to win the crown,
But when we fail to give our best, we simply haven’t met the test
Of giving all and saving none until the game is really won.
Of showing what is meant by grit, of fighting on when others quit,
Of playing through not letting up, it’s bearing down that wins the cup.
Of taking it and taking more until we gain the winning score,
Of dreaming there’s a goal ahead, of hoping when our dreams are dead,
Of praying when our hopes have fled. Yet, losing, not afraid to fall,
If bravely we have given all, for who can ask more of a man
than giving all within his span, it seems to me, is not so far from – Victory.
And so the fates are seldom wrong, no matter how they twist and wind,
It’s you and I who make our fates, we open up or close the gates,
On the Road Ahead or the Road Behind.
sbb 16.12.10
460
Country Road . James Taylor
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