Each week during Football season I have the privilege of talking with the Football Players at La Porte High School. We talk about life. I'm not qualified nor gifted enough to coach these boys on the field - but I can offer wisdom for life off the field. The Coaching Staff/Administration of LPISD cares for these boys not only on the field, but in the classroom and in life.
ADVERSITY
Dale Brown, the former great LSU Coach and great motivator of young men said this, "Adversity will come at some time to every man. How you meet it, and what you make of it, what you allow it to take from you or give to you is determined by you mental habits. All experience will do something for you or something to you."
Adversity is Inevitable - Sometimes you will bring it on yourself through foolish actions or choices, sometimes it is forced on you by someone else, sometimes it is just part of life - But it will come. The sooner you come to grip with the fact that life isn't always fun and easy - the better prepared for difficult times you will be. You will not always win. You will fail on plays - miss tackles, blocks, or turn the ball over - You WILL fail at times. How you handle these failures will go far in determining what kind of ball player you will be and what kind of man you will become.
Prepare Yourself for Adversity - When adversity comes it won't last forever. This will be more plays - more games - more days. Understand that loss, failure and pain are a natural part of life - just as are gain, winning and joy. Life is a mixture of these. When you are experiencing one, understand that the other is just around the corner.
Learn from Adversity - Adversity can be an amazing teacher. When adversity strikes refuse to blame others. Own it. Embrace it. Learn from it. Ask questions. What did I do wrong? What I unprepared. What can I do better? What new skill do I need to learn? Don't whine - don't waller in self-pity. Take the opportunity to learn from what you have experienced.
Be Careful Who You Listen to in Adversity - Some will say that none of it was your fault. There will be others that say it was all your fault. Be careful about those who are quick to blame others and never accept responsibility themselves. Don't be ready to claim responsibility for victories if you are unwilling to shoulder your share of blame in loss.
Get Back in the Game - You are never defeated as long as you are still fighting. Losing a game is one thing - quitting is another.
QUESTIONS
Last week you played Clear Brook and won the game. Name a time you as a player - or as a team faced adversity.
How did you respond? What did you learn?
If faced again with the same situation this week against Bellaire - how will you respond?
Name a time in life/class room you faced adversity. What did you learn from adversity on the field that will help you deal with adversity in life/class?
ADVERSITY
Dale Brown, the former great LSU Coach and great motivator of young men said this, "Adversity will come at some time to every man. How you meet it, and what you make of it, what you allow it to take from you or give to you is determined by you mental habits. All experience will do something for you or something to you."
Adversity is Inevitable - Sometimes you will bring it on yourself through foolish actions or choices, sometimes it is forced on you by someone else, sometimes it is just part of life - But it will come. The sooner you come to grip with the fact that life isn't always fun and easy - the better prepared for difficult times you will be. You will not always win. You will fail on plays - miss tackles, blocks, or turn the ball over - You WILL fail at times. How you handle these failures will go far in determining what kind of ball player you will be and what kind of man you will become.
Prepare Yourself for Adversity - When adversity comes it won't last forever. This will be more plays - more games - more days. Understand that loss, failure and pain are a natural part of life - just as are gain, winning and joy. Life is a mixture of these. When you are experiencing one, understand that the other is just around the corner.
Learn from Adversity - Adversity can be an amazing teacher. When adversity strikes refuse to blame others. Own it. Embrace it. Learn from it. Ask questions. What did I do wrong? What I unprepared. What can I do better? What new skill do I need to learn? Don't whine - don't waller in self-pity. Take the opportunity to learn from what you have experienced.
Be Careful Who You Listen to in Adversity - Some will say that none of it was your fault. There will be others that say it was all your fault. Be careful about those who are quick to blame others and never accept responsibility themselves. Don't be ready to claim responsibility for victories if you are unwilling to shoulder your share of blame in loss.
Get Back in the Game - You are never defeated as long as you are still fighting. Losing a game is one thing - quitting is another.
QUESTIONS
Last week you played Clear Brook and won the game. Name a time you as a player - or as a team faced adversity.
How did you respond? What did you learn?
If faced again with the same situation this week against Bellaire - how will you respond?
Name a time in life/class room you faced adversity. What did you learn from adversity on the field that will help you deal with adversity in life/class?
Highlights from the Bulldogs Game against Clear Brook.
