Winning Teams always don't wear uniforms on Sundays. Winning teams aren't limited to the world of sports. I recently read two very inspiring real-life stories of unbelievable teams.
Both teams had coaches with hearts full of undying love and minds full of determination strength and confidence to accomplish the team's goals, even if the team goals were seen by others as impossible to achieve. In fact, these coaches led their teams to achieve successes far beyond the imagination of most mortal souls.
Both teams had players who were debilitated by medical conditions. One player had been diagnosed with leukemia. The other player had been born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, resulting in brain damage. "He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life," said the doctors at the birth of this child.
Both players had the will to live, to overcome their medical circumstances and to achieve their goals in life. By themselves they would have failed. With their teams they accomplished unbelievable feats.
I have blogged before about Steve Rom and Rod Payne. I just finished reading their book, Centered by a Miracle, and once again was "inspired" to share with you what I learned from them about the importance of the "TEAM".
Steve was diagnosed with leukemia. Rod was the coach and a member of the team. As a result of the team, Steve recovered from his illness. Steve closes his inspirational speeches by saying "Let's All Team up and Achieve Victory".
In the book there is a quote from Rod Payne regarding the passionate commitment he made to the team.
Rod wrote, "I am not a fan; a fan does not believe-- he hopes. I am a teammate, the one who has put in the time for the team and knows what it means to give of himself and his time and whatever else is of value to man, that he may live and die, no matter what happens, as part of the team. That I am: a teammate."
Mike Brescia from Think Right Now shared a letter written by Rick Reilly about Dick and Rick Hoyt. Rick's parents, Judy and Dick, did not accept the devastating prognosis regarding their son Rick. They refuse to put Rick in an institution. They noticed Rick tracked them with his eyes.
When 11-year-old Rick laughed at a joke, the professors at the engineering department at Tuffs University realized they were wrong when they concluded "there is nothing going on in his brain". With the use of the computer Rick learn to communicate.
When Rick communicated to his father "when we were running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore," live changed completely for this team. Dick was committed to giving his son the experience that Rick was "not disabled anymore".
Dick was out of shape and not an athlete by nature. Dick was so determined that he qualified for the Boston Marathon pushing his son, Rick, in a wheel chair over the entire course. They finish their 24th Boston Marathon only 35 minutes off the world record.
Dick is now 65 and Rick is 43. Let me tell you about some of their accomplishments. They have successfully completed 212 triathlons together. A triathlon consists of running 26.2 miles, swimming 2.4 miles and riding a bike 112 miles. Dick has accomplished the 212 triathlons pushing his son in a wheelchair, pulling his son in a dinghy and carrying his son on his bike.
For more on or be accomplishments of this remarkable team, Dick and Rick Hoyt, read the article in Think Right Now. I might add that Dick's remarkable achievements not only have benefited his son but also himself. Because of being in good physical condition, he was able to survive a heart attack.
Read about these wonderful people, the importance of the team and their commitment to their team. Realize which you could accomplish now and in the New Year together with your teammates.
Remember, You Live within the Environment Created by Your Choices!
Dr. Hal
Life and Mental Fitness Coach
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