An Athlete’s Responsibility

While speaking with a group of athletes last week on the responsibility to be a leader,  I was taken aback by how attentive the group was. I think we are entering an era of endless possibilities for molding the integrity of today’s athlete.

I find them so ready and willing to hear about how it is they can become better people while they improve as players. I am currently working on my second book,  Competing with Compassion, and I am encouraged by the fact that its message will be well received by this generation of athletes.

I find that these young men and women want to contribute to others, they want to sacrifice for the team and learn how to lead their teammates. They want to know how to be a better, more centered person as well as a high achieving athlete.

This is great stuff! It gives me a lot to look forward to as a sports fan.

Personal Growth Through Sports

Yesterday I stood in front of 50 athletes and coaches and talked to them about their responsibility as students, athletes and leaders. I stressed the idea that sports have to be about more than the games being played.

When we reduce the lofty teaching potential of athletic participation to the score of the games, we have lost a chance for personal growth.

Athletes have the responsibility to show courage in their decision making. Leaders have to sometimes be like the eagle. The eagle does not flock with the crowd; it stands alone with pride. Athletes are under a microscope with others watching their every move, this means that they must move about with a high level of integrity.

They have the unique chance under public scrutiny to blend mind body and spirit with a unity of purpose like no other venue. We the public hold athletes to very high standards, and rightfully so. Applying the same standards to our personal lives will foster personal growth.

It will make us better individuals. Stronger individuals.

Got Powerful Living?

I assure you that I am not 100% happy and smiling all the time. I have challenging days; but when you live your life with an optimist’s outlook, those rough spots seem so much smoother!

Permanent optimism comes from knowing that there is not a situation in your life that has not been invited to the party by you. When you assume 100% of the responsibility, you are adopting a formula for powerful living.

Our ego likes to tell us that we are only in charge of the good stuff, while the challenging things are brought on by others. The ego likes to justify.

We have to stop making excuses though. We have to take charge. We must embrace the power of knowing that we are in control of our lives.

That’s powerful living.