Excerpt
From chapter 6, INSPIRATION FOR A LIFETIME:
Sometimes people wonder whether a person can have much influence on the world if they are sick, or old, or suffering, or confined to a room
On the surface it may seem that they dont make much of an impact, but that is only a shallow impression
Have you noticed that beautiful and majestic trees come to life where hidden seeds are planted?
How many great doctors, musicians, actors, artisans, teachers, mothers, fathers, pastors, and so many others were inspired to do what they do today because of the inspiring example of a sick or confined relative, friend, colleague or stranger they encountered?
At the time, that inspiration seemed little too small to be measured, forgotten amid seemingly bigger concerns, not worth muchBut today, that same quiet, hidden inspiration may have grown into a mighty oak, a healthy and fruitful plant
What was not visible on the surface, was yet planted in the secret recesses of the heart perhaps in the heart of a young person, or of a mother or a father who faced struggles at the timeMuch later that tiny seed matured and brought life and inspiration to so many others through the years
Who could have imagined such a powerful impact from inspiration so short, so humble, so subtle at times?
Many great men and women today tell us that the simplest of persons or situations in their lives has proven to be inspiration for a lifetime beyond themselves
One colleague, a leading leukemia doctor, is candid in telling any who ask that he lost his father at a young age to cancerDid his father influence his entire life? He sure did!
A young medical student points to her father's enduring love and belief in her abilities, even as she witnessed his living and giving to the end, right up to his final days. Her father's attitude, even in his final illness, inspired her lifetime decision to help other patients with cancer. {continued}
From chapter 8, THE SPIRIT OF AN ATHLETE:
Imagine how athletes would feel if they knew that there are patients with advanced cancer who take a break to watch them play This takes some athletes aback. Theyd never thought of it before. Modern, multi-purpose sports and entertainment arenas advertise their latest, high-tech amenities skyboxes, catered service, fine dining, club seats, executive seats, extra-wide concourses, unmatched comfort, concession options such as BBQ and gourmet pizza, and cutting-edge, technologically sophisticated scoreboards
Yet if the passion, pathos and live, immediate journey of the athletes on the fieldor the musicians on stage isn't evident, and isn't felt by those in the stands, then spectators may walk out, saying only: "Nice Food."
But its possible to have another experience an appreciation of the true spirit of the athlete.
In the same way that not all jazz musicians playing an instrument play with the genuine spirit of a jazz musician, Neither do all athletes on a playing field or court play with the genuine spirit of an athlete
Athletes and teams that play with the true spirit of an athlete compel you to watch them play, to almost be there with them Not because of any superficial hype, but because you know they are giving their all and it's exhilarating!
The spectator can almost feel the energy, the focused intensity, the split-second timing and internal rhythm, the chemistry and the teamworkIn these moments, you catch the genuine spirit of an athleteWhether they win or lose, there's a richness in the struggle
Youand everyone watching the game with you, and everyone watching the game anywhere elsewitness strength, skill, patience, grace, economy of motion, competitive savvy, guile, and aspirationall attributes of great athletessimilar to some of the attributes of great jazz improvisation masters, and in a greater way, similar to some of the attributes of the spiritual journeys of victors of faith.
Even silence, pauses or hesitationswaiting for the right momenttimingall are important elements of athletics, music, and truly spiritual journeys
These quiet elements help foster, for example, economy of motion, instead of wasted movement, focused energy, instead of random play or searching, paced perseverance, instead of early burn-out
Sadly, musicians and athletes who lack passion in their performance yield spiritless playing, polished perhaps, but lifeless music, dull gamesThey resemble the following description of a so-called happy man, but a man who lives without a deeper passion, or a sense of meaning and purpose for life:
"Eating like a schoolboy and sleeping like a healthy infanta jolly ruddy-cheeked man, without a care in the world, unshakably confident to the very end that he alone has found the answer to the riddle of life, that God and man are fools that he has got the better of, that his way of life is utterly successful, satisfactory, unassailable. We must be careful at this point to prefer his conversion." C.S. Lewis
And isnt this true spirit of an athlete similar to the true spirit the musician?
We know a case in which a violinist always tried to play as consciously as possible. From putting his violin in place on his shoulder to the most trifling technical detail, he wanted to do everything consciously, to perform in full self-reflection.
This led to a complete artistic breakdown....
Treatment had to give back to the patient his trust in the unconscious, by having him realize how much more musical his unconscious was than his conscious. Viktor Frankl, psychologist
This also could be said about a golfer struggling with his swing, a baseball hitter in a slump, or a basketball player struggling with his jump shot or foul shot
Why do we sometimes see a lack of heart in music, athletics, or life? Why do some athletes lack heart in the way they compete?
A college basketball coach says that some athletes play with a fear of losing: {continued}
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Coltrane & Dolphy: The Spirit of a Musician The Endless Song... Be Not Afraid
Bearing the Cross of Uncertainty Coping with Tragedy Inspiration for a Lifetime
Live to the End, Give to the End The Spirit of an Athlete Life beyond the Final Buzzer
Play Right Through It Losers in Disguise Why Me? Invest in your Fortune 500
I am with You Realtime Spirituality Simplicity No Greater Love Be Still
Mystery of Life Life is Short Follow your Heart Come Sunday
Suggested Listening {Classic Spiritual Jazz Recordings.}
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