A Century of Perspective
http://www.refresher.com/mindfulnetwork/articlelive/articles/666/1/A-Century-of-Perspective/Page1.html
Jim Stovall
Jim
Stovall is the president of Narrative Television Network, as well as a
published author of many books including The Ultimate Gift. He is also a
columnist and motivational speaker. He may be reached at 5840 South Memorial Drive, Suite 312, Tulsa,
OK 74145-9082,
or by e-mail at Jim@JimStovall.com By Jim Stovall
Published on 09/19/2010
Recently, I have been editing some recorded interviews I did with my friend and mentor Coach John Wooden. Coach Wooden passed away earlier this year, and we want to release the recordings featuring his wit and wisdom shortly on what would have been his 100th birthday. I believe that if you live on this earth nearly a century, you gain certain wisdom and knowledge that is priceless; however, Coach Wooden’s elite level of wisdom and perspective cannot only be attributed to his long life.
A Century of Perspective
Recently, I have been editing some recorded interviews I did with my friend and mentor Coach John Wooden. Coach Wooden passed away earlier this year, and we want to release the recordings featuring his wit and wisdom shortly on what would have been his 100th birthday. I believe that if you live on this earth nearly a century, you gain certain wisdom and knowledge that is priceless; however, Coach Wooden’s elite level of wisdom and perspective cannot only be attributed to his long life.
John Wooden was a special man, the likes of which only come along rarely. His athletic career and coaching record are unmatched, but his real-life achievements are in the area of personal and human development.
Although John Wooden was among the most accomplished persons I ever knew, he had an amazing spirit of humility. He was fond of saying, “Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.”
It is important for us all to remember that no matter the circumstances from which we have come, we all have many things to be thankful about.
Several years ago, I heard an amazing commencement address given by Ross Perot. He was speaking to the top 100 high school graduates in the United States. They had been selected, two from each state, based upon their academic record and community service. By any measure, these were the elite students who had worked hard and had much to be proud of.
Perot congratulated the parents and teachers and then addressed the students by telling them that, although they had worked very hard, the only difference between them and the starving teenager living on the streets of Calcutta or the young refugee from Cambodia was the fact that they had been born in America.
All of us have people and circumstances in our past for which we should be grateful. Even the most difficult of circumstances or obstacles may have served a great purpose in that it made us who we are and led us to the place we now enjoy. Sometimes when we’re in the midst of the forest of chaos, it’s impossible to see the divine order; however, when we reach a summit, we can look back along the route we have traveled and realize that there was no other way to reach the top of the mountain other than the course we traveled.
As you go through your day today, remember Coach Wooden’s wisdom and your place in the world.
Today’s the day!
John Wooden was a special man, the likes of which only come along rarely. His athletic career and coaching record are unmatched, but his real-life achievements are in the area of personal and human development.
Although John Wooden was among the most accomplished persons I ever knew, he had an amazing spirit of humility. He was fond of saying, “Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.”
It is important for us all to remember that no matter the circumstances from which we have come, we all have many things to be thankful about.
Several years ago, I heard an amazing commencement address given by Ross Perot. He was speaking to the top 100 high school graduates in the United States. They had been selected, two from each state, based upon their academic record and community service. By any measure, these were the elite students who had worked hard and had much to be proud of.
Perot congratulated the parents and teachers and then addressed the students by telling them that, although they had worked very hard, the only difference between them and the starving teenager living on the streets of Calcutta or the young refugee from Cambodia was the fact that they had been born in America.
All of us have people and circumstances in our past for which we should be grateful. Even the most difficult of circumstances or obstacles may have served a great purpose in that it made us who we are and led us to the place we now enjoy. Sometimes when we’re in the midst of the forest of chaos, it’s impossible to see the divine order; however, when we reach a summit, we can look back along the route we have traveled and realize that there was no other way to reach the top of the mountain other than the course we traveled.
As you go through your day today, remember Coach Wooden’s wisdom and your place in the world.
Today’s the day!