A hero.

The times in which we find ourselves could be defined as uncharted, challenging and just downright complex.  An ever expanding array of perilous world events. Protest. Distrust. Separation. Isolation. Anger. Times in desperate need of heroes. 

Things that suddenly and seemingly appear as fact in the ether of the internet creating  anxiety, angst or anger;  in or unintentionally.  The stories one hears about from “so and so” via social media, snaps that lead to endless meaningless chats, obscure podcasts from an even more obscure expert or the truth thrice shared from the influencer du jour.  

But with some faith, discernment, perseverance and presence, the good in all of this can still be found. It is not that it is hidden, unavailable or too costly to pursue.  Just that it is human nature to see the negative first rather than investing, hunkering down, leaning into and embracing the positive that exists  within all of this adversity.

It is simply stunning to see the number of heroes that are being revealed each and every moment across the globe. 

Leaders of all births, upbringings and life experiences that  come to light every hour.  Strangers that are willing to leave it all out there for the one next to them with nary a regard for their own person. Regardless of social standing, responsibility or title,  men and women  are literally putting their lives on the line. For that person next to them, that person’s family, town, region, country and way of life.   

This just doesn’t happen. It is a mindset that is entirely born from within.  An entity that possesses a character, integrity, commitment and strength all its own. All of which is predicated, derives its sustenance from and thrives  on putting yourself aside and giving it all up for the guy or gal next to you.  Making it not about you. Just all about them. 

Give witness to what it is going on in the world and imagine its  impact here in your home town. Each of  you can be that kind of hero right here.  Not in an international way but in a local community sense.  You need not be recognized for it, command headlines or capture x number of views because of it. 

You just need to be it.

And do it. 

Then, trust that the rest of it will take care of itself.  

As one of many that aims to do so, please try to do the same. Leave it all out there to make it about them – not you. Overcoming oneself in the process.

Because in the end, this will be an action that not only helps to make them, but will transform you as well.   Losing yourself is actually a great path toward true awareness and self-discovery. In that can be found the bounty of recovery, purpose and a profound sense of joy.

So you can keep the mask and cape to yourself. They are not requisite for heroism. But those you love enough to help rescue will recognize that uniform immediately.

Since your soul has been clothed as such.

A hero.

Or you.

Doing my best isn’t about some personal quest for perfection. That has absolutely nothing to do with this particular lesson.

Doing my best is the debt that I owe to others first, and to myself, second.

By doing my absolute best, I am showing others how much I value them; how much I love them. I am telling them in no uncertain terms that “you deserve the absolute best of me”.

You shouldn’t ever get this confused with commerce. For doing your best for others isn’t an interpersonal transaction; a “quid pro quo”. Giving others your best is never about expecting to get or getting anything in return. Giving your best to others is what you are made to do. It is the right thing to do, both for them and for you.

In doing my absolute best, I am also confirming the level of my own personal standards. It is a way of affirming what I know to be true; that I am meant to be extraordinary. The best possible version of myself. 

By making a personal commitment to do my absolute best, I can be at peace with my effort; win or lose, succeed or fail. I can “look in the mirror” and see someone I respect for giving it their best. 

By no means does this mean that I have to like the outcome. If I don’t, then I just need to work harder to do my best next time.It serves to reinforce in my heart, that my effort was the best I had to offer, when I needed to offer it.

The value of doing your best has ramifications far beyond the immediate. It sets the tone going forward, becoming synonymous with your name and your character. It precedes you everywhere you go.

By doing your best, you help ”coach up” others to aspire to always do their best. In the process, you learn what it takes to live and breathe that mindset. You gain a level of comfort operating within a personal universe marked by high expectations, dedicated to striving for optimal performance and pursuing excellence.

Once you get there, you wouldn’t want it any other way.

For them. 

Or you.

Harmony

“The outer conditions of a person’s life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state…Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.”

James Allen, As a Man Thinketh

So I do find a great deal of validity in the words of Mr. Allen.  

Though he speaks primarily from the first person perspective, there is an element of the Third person in all he says.  He does seem to speak through Him to us  even when he or we do not realize it.  But I digress… 

We are only able to attract what we want, through what we are. 

If we fail from a character sense, make poor choices, lay blame on others, the  world around us and pretend to be something we were never intended to be, we will attract similar beings, situations and reality.  All because we choose to settle.  Assume a convenient path.  What  makes things comfy.  And all that enables us to avoid the truth.  By being that which we are. 

But then again, what about the impact of making good choices despite the push back from your past, others and the expectations of the herd?  Or the effect of accepting responsibility, holding oneself accountable and ignoring the opinion of the masses?  Choosing to accept what you know  to be true about yourself regardless of conventional wisdom?  And pursuing a path not less chosen but never attempted  by you?  Again, being what you are.

If you choose the latter, you WILL attract the forces of affirmation and what it is you wanty.  You will become what you are, because you have fully acknowledged yourself, discerned how you can grow into that being  and see where all of those difficult choices will ultimately take you. 

We can only attract what we see in ourselves.  To that I can attest. 

So hear what the wise old mooses have to share.  

 Lean into  what you know to be your truth regardless of the cost. 

Embrace the challenge. 

Push forward. 

Be all that which you are. 

Then see what comes your way. 

Harmony.

“anonymous”

If I may beg your indulgence a bit, I have a love story of sorts.  Inspired in part by “anonymous”.

If you love the game:

     “…then life truly began when the season started.”  

Team dinners are the best sit down meal of the week.  

Hudl is your preferred form of social media

Bruises are your favorite fall colors

Wearing white to out of town events is still permissible after Labor Day

Tape has become your socks 

You accessorize with ice packs

Eye black brings out your cheekbones

And the hitch in your giddy-up later in life is still your source of pride and joy. 

If you love the game:

Having the opportunity to practice the day after a game is as big a deal as playing under the lights on Friday nights.  

Scout team is the ideal way to contribute. A golden opportunity to make the team maximize its potential and achieve its goals. 

A role on special teams may be your ticket to change the course of a game – or season – through superlative effort and will. 

If you love the game:

Then no matter what – A or B, JV or reserve, starter, or finish out the rout – “just get me on that field. “

Being wedded to a position will never supplant being bonded to a unit or the team.

Still being there for them though hurt casts a lasting impression.  

You can’t be hung up on the division.  Just play on in college.  

If you love the game: 

Embrace the blessings and needs of being a member of a large, multigenerational, extended family 

Depend upon the friends you found in the weight room, during speed and agility, at morning misery, during two a days, and with your back to the goal line.  

They are here for you now – and most likely will be later on in life. 

If you love the game: 

Stop an errant “brother”, diffuse a bad situation, console a friend in need, and raise another up even if you are down.

Invest.  Time given freely to another is a precious gift. 

Smile the most when accolades and attention for your team and teammates are delivered.   

Be humble; you are but one in a long line of fine athletes that came before – and will follow you. 

Commit.  Relentless effort, stellar character and extraordinary leadership regardless of your role is the best way to honor that big family.

If you love the game: 

Honor all of this for what it truly is; a rare and fleeting privilege.

Lean in.  A challenge of this magnitude – to work harder than you ever have at something, and then, work even harder than that  – is an extraordinary opportunity.  One that needs to be accepted with genuine and lasting gratitude.

Let go.  Giving up all of you for something bigger is a life-changing event.

If you love the game: 

Trust.  That all of them will honor the sacrifices you make on their behalf in kind. 

Respect.  Everyone has something in them that can make this team like no other – before or after. 

Affirm.  Prove their genuine worth to you through your thoughts, words and deeds. 

 Be accountable.  Yes, to the ones with the whistles.  

But more so to your partner in the weight room.  Those sharing morning misery. The one next to you on the bus.  Your teammates doing up-downs.  Your unit when you huddle.  The three-tech on the line of scrimmage.  And that guy next to you right here, right now.  

If you love the game: 

Make it about all of them by leaving all of you on that field.  

Because if you can love the game this much, then because of you, they will love the game too. 

Thanks for the inspiration,  “Anonymous”

I love it.

“Team Together”

“Standing at Hoop Camp watching my boys scrimmage. I overhear the coach in the huddle say “team” and the players say “together”. Makes my heart ache but at the same time fill full. If that’s possible😕‪#‎teamtogetherforever‬ — at Homestead High School (Mequon, Wisconsin). – Kira Chekouras Testin

Sometimes, an individual will come along that is the embodiment of a message. 

Living a life – as conveyed through their thoughts, words and deeds – that is meant to share and teach some essential and lasting truths. 

And individuals of that magnitude possess mass.  And it is the specific gravity of them and their purpose that inevitably draws others toward them.  

Like Coach Chekouras.

Both he, and what he still stands for – resonates.  

Perhaps this is what Kira felt today at basketball camp.  

….“cause Coach was there.  

His message  was certainly still reverberating through those coaches and campers.

Now someone once said that “every act creates a ripple with no logical end”.  

A statement, I believe, is  intended to describe the impact good – from a single point of contact – can exert on the world around it.

So just imagine the good of this individual.  An impact of lasting resonance yet today. 

Through not just one, but now, generational points of contact.  

Years, and years and years apart. 

Ripple, upon ripple,  upon ripple, upon ripple.    

Coach lived that message.  And even today, he yet lives within it.

Remaining to this day, its embodiment.  

Just ask those campers.  

For it resonates within all of them.  

“Team Together”. 

(Coach Chekouras entered eternal life in 2006. I came across his daughter’s reaction to the players response at a Hoops Camp, and shared this initially in 2015. I came across it and thought it worthy of a re-share.)

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