Serving Others
By Dr. Alan Goldberg
The true champion is not someone who is narrowly defined by his/her MVP status. He/she is not just someone who might consistently make the ESPN highlight reel or end up in the sports pages of your local newspaper. He/she is not always the athlete who is consistently the team’s offensive or defensive star. He is not the one who hits the most home runs, scores the most goals, earns the most money or garners the most endorsements.
Tremendous athletic ability and talent may give everyone who is on the outside watching the illusion that, on the surface you’re a champion. However, your athletic accomplishments and stats are just that, a simple illusion of who you really are as a person and what you’re made of. Your athletic ability is just one small aspect of you, much like an outer shell. Being a true champion requires something far deeper and more powerful, something that takes a great deal more character, discipline and strength to achieve than simply basking in the limelight of your physical accomplishments. The true champion is selfless. He/she naturally puts himself last. This individual manifests an “unconditional willingness to put the team or group before any of his/her individual or self needs.” In sum, the true champion serves others.
The selfless athlete is not caught up with the typical questions that burn in the brains of the vast majority of competitors: “What’s in it for me?” “How many points/goals/touchdowns can I score?” “Will I be the one starting?” “Will I get all the attention that I deserve?” “Am I getting the most playing time?” “Will I be the MVP?” Instead, the selfless athlete asks him/herself far more meaningful questions. “How can I give to my teammates?” “How can I make those around me better?” “What can I do to help the team be successful?” “How can I contribute to this sport?” And, a question that would blow most athletes’ minds, “How can I give to my opponents?”
The selfless athlete is not caught up with the typical questions that burn in the brains of the vast majority of competitors: “What’s in it for me?” “How many points/goals/touchdowns can I score?” “Will I be the one starting?” “Will I get all the attention that I deserve?” “Am I getting the most playing time?” “Will I be the MVP?” Instead, the selfless athlete asks him/herself far more meaningful questions. “How can I give to my teammates?” “How can I make those around me better?” “What can I do to help the team be successful?” “How can I contribute to this sport?” And, a question that would blow most athletes’ minds, “How can I give to my opponents?”
Responsibility and service to others entails much risk. When you decide to be a leader, when you decide to stand up for what you believe in, when you commit yourself to truly go for it, when you decide to stick up for the down-trodden, to do that which is right, then you always incur much risk. First there is the risk of failure, then the risk of ridicule and embarrassment, there’s the risk of ostracism – of your friends suddenly turning against you. regardless of the risk however, the champion’s way is always to trust in him/herself, to take responsibility, to follow heart and passion and go for it, regardless of others’ reactions or the potential negative consequences. Remember, nothing great is ever accomplished without standing up and stepping outside of your comfort zone.
S2 Tip
Your athletic ability is just one small aspect of you, much like an outer shell. Being a true champion requires something far deeper and more powerful, something that takes a great deal more character, discipline and strength to achieve than simply basking in the limelight of your physical accomplishments.
Success Story
Congratulations to CSU Pueblo for beating Minnesota St. for the D-II football title! Chris Bonner threw for 191 yards and a touchdown, Cameron McDondle ran for 113 yards and the ThunderWolves relied on some stingy defense to knock off previously unbeaten Minnesota State 13-0 on Saturday for their first national championship. Nice job guys!
In Another’s Words
“One of the sanest, surest, and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others.”
– Robert A. Heinlein (Scientist)