Читать книгу Hope’s Daughters - R. Wayne Willis - Страница 78

John Wooden grew up in Hall, Centerton, and Martinsville, Indiana. He led his high school basketball team to the state championship game three years in a row. He made the all-state team each of those years. At Purdue he was a consensus All-American basketball player for three years and led Purdue to the National Championship in 1932.

Wooden went on to become arguably the greatest college basketball coach of all time, leading UCLA to four perfect seasons and ten NCAA championships. What was the magic of the great leader? He credits the seven-point creed his father gave him when he graduated from grammar school for his deep, strong rooting:

1. Be true to yourself.

2. Make each day your masterpiece.

3. Help others.

4. Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.

5. Make friendship a fine art.

6. Build a shelter against a rainy day.

7. Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.60

Wooden gave his players—and offers us—wings. These are some of my favorite words of wisdom, collected from the greatest coach that I wing to you:

“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”

“Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.”

“Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights.”

“If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?”