MESSAGE #827
“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’ “
-MUHAMMAD ALI
Posts
MESSAGE #684 INSPIRE GREATNESS…
Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Gene Swanhart, Director of Training, Special Olympics New Jersey.
Yesterday was a day filled with effort, energy, focus and inspiration. It was filled with laughter, sweat and tears.
It was great to see the many familiar faces of the special athletes, their special family/friends, and the special organizers and volunteers.
I love the smiles of all the athletes.
I love the effort of all of the athletes.
I love the support from the family and friends of all of the athletes.
Everyone was in good spirits and joking around. We laughed.
We saw 8 year old, CJ Inverso, light the torch at his first Opening Ceremonies. He has trouble walking and was assisted up the ladder to the torch by a police officer. We cried.
We saw over 2,500 athletes walk in by county in to Lions Stadium being cheered by a sea of people. We were inspired.
I can’t say enough about the Summer Games. There are so many life lessons during this great weekend.
So come out today to The College of New Jersey and support this great cause. All out effort. Gratitude. Unconditional love. Fun.
I like this world.
Thanks for reading.
MESSAGE #683 IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR…
“Programmed into our very human nature is the desire to push limits. Here is the proof.”
-Message painted on a Special Olympics van
Today’s message is especially dedicated to all of the inspiring special athletes, organizers and volunteers at this weekend’s Special Olympics Summer Games at The College of New Jersey.
Well, it’s my favorite time of year again – Special Olympics Summer Games.
This amazing annual event gives me a true sense of pure joy and inspiration. I have been a volunteer coach for nearly ten years now and am enjoying every minute of it!
These athletes have mental disabilities.
But I look at it differently…
They are truly special.
Where else can you get an all-out effort and a huge smile and sense of accomplishment with a last-place finish?
All of the athletes, parents, friends, supporters and volunteers experience unconditional love and support during these games.
And everyone is so polite, saying thank you to the ball boys and girls. Cheering each other on, even if they are competing against each other.
Most of these players cannot even keep score, and you think that YOU are not cut out to play sports?
It’s not about winning. It’s about pushing yourself, giving your all, and having fun.
I don’t get paid a dime to work with these special athletes.
I’m lying.
I have gotten unlimited internal riches from my experience. And that will always be with me.
I volunteer because I love it and I feel that it is my way of making a difference.
And the only reason why I tell you about my work with the Special Olympics is that I hope that this may inspire you to do something equally gratifying.
Make a difference however you can.
That’s success. And that’s wealth.
So come out this weekend to support these great athletes. The first person to find me at the tennis courts gets a free copy of my book, “Game. Set. Life.” signed by yours truly and my entire Special Olympics tennis team!
Thanks for reading.
MESSAGE #640 KILL WITH KINDNESS…
“Kindness is the language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
-GENE BEDLEY
The best way to make yourself happy is to make someone else happy…
Compliment somebody.
Ask someone how they are doing and really mean it.
Call a family member and say you love them…
Do it today!
Thanks for reading.
*TENNIS ANYONE?*
TENNIS. FITNESS. NUTRITION. MENTAL TRAINING.
With Ed Tseng, Pro of the Year USTA/NJD 2005
MESSAGE #549 GREAT JOB, BESSIE…
I read something interesting the other day. In a study done at Newcastle University, researchers found that cows produce more milk if they are given names. When more of a personal touch is used by the care-takers, the cattle could produce up to 500 more pints of milk per year.
So if you’re in sales, or a boss, teacher, coach, romantic partner or teammate, try giving a more personal touch to others. If people feel more like a person than a number, they are more likely to give more and get better results. Use people’s names. Compliment them. People will reach their potential quicker if positive reinforcement is used instead of negative reinforcement. Below are two examples:
Good: “Pam, I really liked the way you stayed focused even towards the end of practice when you were tired.”
Bad: “That’s the fifth ball you hit into the net! Go run five laps!”
Treat people better and they will perform better.
Thanks for reading.
MESSAGE #489 LEARN FROM THE GREATS…
Do you believe that there’s greatness inside you?
Well, it’s true. So why, then doesn’t everyone achieve greatness?
Here are my top four reasons…
1. People don’t believe that they can be great.
2. They quit too early.
3. They don’t want it badly enough.
4. They try to figure everything out themselves.
One of the quickest ways to become great at whatever you do is to do what the great ones are doing. If you want to become a great tennis player, find out what the great ones are doing, and copy them. Train like they train. Eat what they eat. Think how they think.
Work, school and music are the same way.
“If I wanted to become a tramp,
I would seek information and advice
from the most successful tramp I could find.
If I wanted to become a failure
I would seek advice from men
who have never succeeded.
If I wanted to succeed in all things,
I would look around me
for those who are succeeding,
and do as they have done.”
-JOSEPH MARSHALL WADE
Thanks for reading.