Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is some thing in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best and expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize oth ers. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble

--Christian D. Larson

Pride. . . . .

1. All athletes who work toward athletic excellence equate self -control with PRIDE.

2. When we say of people that they have pride, we mean they have a degree of will power, concentration and mental toughness that permits them to overcome temptations toward negative attitudes and behaviors.

3. There is a high correlation between self-control (PRIDE) and athletic success.

4. Research clearly shows that self-control, mental toughness and trust are the leading three attributes which distinguish the highly competitive from the marginal athlete.

5. QUOTE: "Competitors who know what they should do are far more numerous that those who do what they should."

6. The self-image must be resistant to embarrassment, depression, tension, distractions, and temptations.

7. Neither the opponent's success nor one's own failure is intimidating.

8. The athlete who is best controlled, mentally prepared, and physically toned - she who has the most PRIDE WINS.

A workout is 25% perspiration and 75% determination. Stated another way, it is one part physical exertion and three parts self-discipline. Doing it is easy once you get started.

A workout makes you better today than you were yesterday. It strengthens the body, relaxes the mind and toughens the spirit. When you work out regularly, your problems diminish and your confidence grows.

A workout is a personal triumph over laziness and procrastination. It is a badge of a winner - the mark of an organized, goal oriented person who has taken charge of his or her destiny.

A workout is a wise use of time and an investment in excellence. It is a way of preparing for life's challenges and proving to yourself that you have what it takes to do what is necessary. A workout is a key that helps unlock the door to op portunity and success. Hidden within each of us is an extraordinary force.

Physical and mental fitness are the triggers that can release it.

A workout is a form of rebirth. When you finish a good workout, you don't simply feel better - you feel better about yourself!!!!!

Geese don't get high powered press coverage like sea gulls. They're seen as dull, ordinary birds which only attract notice twice a year during mi gration.

Like the Blue Angels, they fly wing tip to wing tip. You can hear the beat of their wings whistling through the air in unison. That's the secret of their strength: together, cooperating as a flock, geese can fly a 70-percent longer range. The lead goose cuts a swath through the air resistance which creates a helpful uplift for the two birds behind. In turn, their beating makes it easier for the birds behind them, much like the drag of a race car sucked in behind the lead car. Each bird takes his or her turn at being the leader. The tired ones fan out to the edges of the "V" for a breather, and the rested ones surge toward the point of the "V" to drive the flock onward.

If a goose becomes too exhausted or ill and has to drop out of the flock, he or she is never abandoned. A stronger member of the flock will fol low the failing, weak one to his or her resting place and wait until he or she is well enough to fly again.

C- clear-Be understood while talking.

O- organized-Plan order of giving information.

M- meaningful-Conversations.

M- measures-Use the charts.

U- unity-Work Together.

N- notes-Write information down.

I- information-Not emotions.

C- concise-Say what you mean with few words.

A- accuracy-Only the fact is no guesswork.

T- time-Do not waste it.

E- expect the unexpected-Have alternate plans ready.

"All life is based on the fact that anything worth getting is hard to get. There is a price to be paid for anything. Scholarship can only be bought at the price of study, skill in any craft or technique can only be bought at the price of practice, eminence in any sport can only be bought at the price of training and discipline. The world is full of people who have missed their destiny because they would not pay the price. No one can take the easy way and enter into any kind of glory or greatness." William Barclay

Have a "plan of action". Make a timetable. Meaningful repetition is the key to developing habits that become part of a daily lifestyle. Develop a clearly stated plan of action to work towards goals in a progressive systematic manner. Develop interest and build desire to improve untrapped potential. Evaluate and interpret progress at regular time intervals based on the plan of action and time table. Goals give direction, meaning and purpose.

Second Effort! Develop determination that won't allow you to quit when you are frustrated, bored, fail or become distracted. Realize setbacks that are experienced are temporary. Learn to HANG TOUGH!

All for the Best

Sometimes the sky is overcast . . . And I am feeling blue . . . And as the hours wander by . . . I know not what to do . . . And sometimes there is tragedy . . . To meet me at the door . . . And I must wonder whether life . . . Is worth my fighting for . . . But always there is some way out . . . And I have come to know . . . That brighter things will comfort me . . . In just a day or so . . . And I have learned that what is past . . . Was purposeful and good . . . But in my bed of bitterness . . . It was misunderstood . . . There is a certain destiny . . . In every human quest . . . Because when anything goes wrong . . . It happens for the best!

In a past Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, a young American stood on the third step and received the bronze medal for third place in the intermediate hurdles. As he heard the National Anthem played for another nation, the winner of the event, he vowed in his heart that he would return and win the Gold Medal for the United States.

He trained for four long years, daily giving every bit of energy and concentration towards winning the hurdles for the U. S. As the year progressed his times improved, and it appeared as though Cliff Cusham would be our Olympic Gold Medal winner in the 400 meter intermediate hurdles. His "times" exceeded the world record.

In the final events in New York City where the run-off was being held to select our Olympic team, his foot caught on the third to the last hurdle and he fell in an inglorious heap in the cinders of the track. Bruised, bleeding and badly shaken, he picked himself up, stared emptily into space, and realized that a dream of acquiring a Gold Medal for the United States had just disappeared in a tumble over the third to the last hurdle. Not only did he not get to try for the medal, he didn't even make the team!

As he returned to his home in Kansas aboard the airplane, he was staring out the window, and thoughts of the past year's experiences raced through his mind. He picked up pencil and paper and wrote a letter to the youth of the United States that went similar to this:

"Don't feel sorry for me; I feel sorry for some of you. Many people never have the courage to enter the race because they cannot face the possibility that they might fail. The possibility of failure requires courage&emdash;courage when you realize that many people will look at you and say, "HE WAS DEFEATED", or "SHE WAS DEFEATED", courage to recognize the fact that you had not reached the goal that you had set for yourself, but had fallen short. It is interesting to note that Abraham Lincoln failed some 13 times consecutively before he experienced winning. The privilege that I had in trying. . .competing. . .was far greater than that of winning. I only hope that you may know what I'm talking about."

Cliff Cusham's letter soon gathered nationwide attention and became one of the most used articles by coaches in encouraging young men to try. Many people stand on the sidelines and guess as to why people don't win, but there are only a few who enter the race. The story is concluded in that Cliff Cusham was missing in action in Vietnam as a Captain in the United States Air Force, but his story of not making the Olympic Team will live in the hearts of true competitors for many years, as it exemplifies the TRUE SPIRIT OF COMPETITION . . .

-Jesse Owen

• HUSTLE is doing something that everyone else is sure can't be done.
• HUSTLE is SWEAT and PAIN and still having that enthusiasm to give it your "all" the next time.
• HUSTLE is finally GETTING IT DONE, after you've tried it over and over and over again.
• HUSTLE IS SECOND EFFORT EVERY SINGLE TIME.
• HUSTLE is doing more for a TEAMMATE and the TEAM than they would expect to be done.
• HUSTLE IS BELIEVING IN YOURSELF, YOUR COACHES AND YOUR TEAM.
• HUSTLE is desiring to be with the TEAM, because WE NEED EACH OTHER!!
• HUSTLE creates new ENERGY in ourselves and others.
• HUSTLE believes there is nothing in life so difficult that it can't be overcome.
• HUSTLE finds needs and fills them.
• HUSTLE knows the more you give of yourself, the more you will find yourself.
• HUSTLE is EXCITING and is CONTAGIOUS to others . . . . . . GOT IT? . . . . . . GET IT!!!!
• A WINNER HAS THE DESIRE FOR EXCELLENCE, AND THE WILLINGNESS TO PUSH THEMSELVES IN THE PROCESS.

A father had three sons, and they all worked for the same man, a dealer in furs. One day the father went down to talk to the president of the company, an old boyhood friend. He went into the office and said, "Jim, my three sons all work for you and I appreciate your hiring them for positions. I have a question that's bothering me. You pay one of them $200 a week, one of them $300 a week, and one of them $500 a week. Why?"

The president leaned back in his chair and was silent for a few moments. Then his face brightened as he answered, "Well, maybe I can show you why right this minute. Have you got awhile that you can stay here?"

"I can stay all day," the father said.

"Well, you might have to stay all day. Make yourself at home."

He picked up the telephone and called one of the sons, the $200 son. He said, "I understand the Ontario has just docked at the wharf, loaded with furs. Please go down there and see what cargo she's carrying and let me know." About three minutes later the president's telephone rang and the young fellow said, "I didn't even have to go down there to get the information. I telephoned down. They have fifteen hundred seals." The president said, "Thank you."

He buzzed the next son, the $300 son, and said, "The Ontario has just docked. Will you please go down and see what she has on board and let me know at your earliest convenience?" About an hour later the telephone rang and he said, "I just went down and checked the Ontario. She's got fifteen hundred seals on board."

He rang the third son, the $500 son, and he said, "The Ontario has docked," and he told him the same story and made the same request. The boy came back four hours later and came right on into the president's office. He said "Well, she had fifteen hundred seals on board and all are in good shape. I bought them for $10 apiece, and filled that order we had from one of our customers. He bought all of them from us at $15 apiece. The Ontario also had five hundred red fox pelts. Of course, we don't handle red fox, but I knew who wanted them, so I called him long distance and made a sale. The deal will net us about $20,000. There were also thirty-nine minks on board. I went in and examined them. They are beautiful; they are the finest. Since you always like to handle the mink trade yourself, I took an option on them for an hour so I could report to you."

The president said, "Thank you," and the you man left. Jim asked the father, "Is your question answered?"

"Yes," replied the father, "one of my sons didn't even obey you, the other went only halfway, but one of them gave you everything he had." The third son takes an ordinary job and makes something out of it"

Give it your all and be like the third son, you will go far!

Silent Sermons

I'd rather see a sermon, than hear one any day;

I'd rather one should walk with men than merely show the way;

The eye's a better student, and more willing than the ear;

Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear.

And, best of all the preachers are men who lived their creeds;

For to see good put into action, that is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it, if you'll let me see it done;

I can see your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.

And the lectures you deliver may be very fine and true, But I'd rather get my lesson by observing what you do.

For I may misunderstand you and the high advice you give, But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live!

Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain:

An occasional glance toward the summit keeps the goal in mind,

But many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point.

Climb slowly, steadily, enjoying each passing moment;

And the view from the summit will serve as a fitting climax for the journey!

A FEW YEARS AGO AT THE SEATTLE SPECIAL OLYMPICS, NINE CONTESTANTS, ALL PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY DISABLED,

ASSEMBLED AT THE STARTING LINE FOR THE 100-YARD DASH. AT THE GUN THEY ALL STARTED OUT, NOT EXACTLY IN A DASH, BUT WITH THE RELISH TO RUN THE RACE TO THE FINISH AND WIN.

ALL, THAT IS, EXCEPT ONE BOY WHO STUMBLED ON THE ASPHALT, TUMBLES OVER A COUPLE OF TIMES, AND BEGAN TO CRY. THE OTHER EIGHT HEARD THE BOY CRY. THEY SLOWED DOWN AND PAUSED. THEN THEY ALL TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK. EVERY ONE OF THEM. ONE GIRL WITH DOWN'S SYNDROME BENT DOWN AND KISSED HIM AND SAID, "THIS WILL MAKE IT BETTER." THEN ALL NINE LINKED ARMS AND WALKED TOGETHER TO THE FINISH LINE.

EVERYONE IN THE STADIUM STOOD AND THE CHEERING WENT ON FOR TEN MINUTES.

Your heart is beating furiously as your breath feels like fire exploding from your burning lungs. You finish the first curve.

Your rubber legs threaten to buckle underneath you at any moment. The first straight away is finished.

Your stomach feels like someone has stabbed you and is viciously twisting the dagger inside of you. The last curve is behind you.

As the finish line comes into view, your heart leaps into your scorching throat. You enter a state of nonexistence as your weary legs reach the speed of light. You're on the edge of the peak of victory and pride, but also a heartbeat away from falling into the pit of agony and despair.

Then it hits you. The excitement you felt at seeing the finish line is replaced by a sinking feeling as you realize you still have a lap left to run!

As I was driving home from work one day, I stopped to watch a local Little League baseball game that was being played in a park near my home. As I sat down behind the bench on the first baseline, I asked one of the boys what the score was.

"We're behind by 14 to nothing," he answered with a smile.

"Really, " I said. "I have to say you don't look very discouraged."

"Discouraged?" the boy asked with a puzzled look on his face. "Why should we be discouraged? We haven't even been up to bat yet"

My son Joey was born with club feet. The doctors assured us that with treatment he would be able to walk normally -but would never run very well. The first three years of his life were spent in surgery, casts and braces. By the time he was eight, you wouldn't know he had a problem when you saw him walk.

The children in our neighborhood ran around as most children do during play, and Joey would jump right in and run and play, too. We never told him that he probably wouldn't be able to run as well as the other children. So he didn't know.

In seventh grade he decided to go out for the cross country team. Every day he trained with the team. He worked harder and ran more than any of the others-perhaps he sensed that the abilities that seemed to come naturally to so many others did not come naturally to him. Although the entire team runs, only the top seven runners have the potential to score points for the school. We didn't tell him he probably would never make the team, so he didn't know.

He continued to run four to five miles a day, every day-even the day he had a 103-degree fever. I was worried, so I went to look for him after school. I found him running alone. I asked him how he felt. "Okay," he said. He had two more miles to go. The sweat ran down his face and his eyes were glassy from his fever. Yet he looked straight ahead and kept running. We never told him he couldn't run four miles with a 103-degree fever. So he didn't know.

Two weeks later, the names of the team runners were called. Joey was number six on the list. Joey had made the team. He was in seventh grade-the other six team members were all eighth-graders. We never told him he shouldn't expect to make the team. We never told him he couldn't do it. We never told him he couldn't do it . . . . so he didn't know. He just did it!

Advice from a high jumper:

"Throw your heart over the bar and your body will follow."

Are You Strong Enough to Handle Critics?

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again because there is no effort without error and shortcomings, who knows the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at his best knows in the end the high achievement of triumph and who at worst, if he fails while daring greatly, knows his place shall never be with those timid and cold souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

Theodore Roosevelt

A lesson in "heart" is my little, 10-year old daughter, Sarah, who was born with a muscle missing in her foot and wears a brace all the time. She came home one beautiful spring day to tell me she had competed in "field day" - that's where they have lots of races and other competitive events.

Because of her leg support, my mind raced as I tried to think of encouragement from my Sarah, things I could say to her about not letting this get her down-but before I could get a word out, she said, "Daddy, I won two of the races!"

I couldn't believe it! And then Sarah said, "I had an advantage."

Ahh. I knew it. I though she must have been given a head start.....some kind of physical advantage. But again, before I could say anything, she said, "Daddy, I didn't get a head start...my advantage was I had to try harder!"

That's heart! That's my Sarah.

Stan Frager