Learning from my Gurus: Rick Lewis, John Wooden, and JESUS!

“Don’t confuse your path with your destination. Just because its stormy now doesn’t mean you aren’t headed for sunshine.” (Hoops Guru Rick Lewis)

I love reading the tweets of my good friend Rick Lewis. Daily he has valuable insight into not just the

Phenom hoops world but also the journey of life. Today was no exception as he reminded his “followers” to stay the course to their destination… to keep one’s eyes on the goal! There is “sunshine” but you must stay “headed” toward it…

To find success in anything in life we have to have a goal-oriented mentality. If we take our eyes off the goal then the “stormy” weather Rick mentioned will knock us off course…John Wooden said it this way, “Set your compass in a chosen direction and then focus your attention and efforts completely on the journey of preparation.”

This journey will have hardships (“storms”) and the correct path is one of hard work and determination (not one of shortcuts to try to avoid the storms.) The old phrase is: “the dictionary is the only place that success comes before work…” And to be honest with you, any “shortcut” one takes to get there will only result in temporary fulfillment. Lasting fulfillment is the result of blood, sweat, and tears – knowing one did the work and put in the time!

The Bible has the same advice for a successful life journey…

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith… (Hebrews 12)

17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. (Proverbs 20)

62 Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backwards looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.” (Luke 9 – the Message)

Do you see it? Get rid of things that will knock you off course or slow you down, and stay focused on the “Sonshine.” Be a man or woman of strong character with a strong work ethic!