The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living....

"The unexamined life is not worth living."
        This may have been the most famous quote of the Greek philosopher Socrates. And with good reason...Reflection is one of the most important things a person can do, both as a man and as a football coach. A small amount of time spent daily reflecting on what is important to us can allow us to stay true to our character and our values. It also forces us to prioritize the things that are really important to us. If we don't spend some time each day examining our lives and whether or not we are living up to our values, then it is very easy to go astray; to move away from being the type of man you want to be. Reflection is also very important as a coach. We need to examine the games from this past season, especially the losses, and try to pinpoint areas of improvement. We should also ask ourselves, "Are we the type of team that I want us to be?" . Is the identity of your team what you wanted to be known for? We should analyze the off the field program the same way, re-examing everything from the strength program to how we handled discipline.
         I talk some in this blog about the Human Computer and how we should strive to put the right things into our brain. Recently I started leaving a sheet next to my bed. On one side, I have the thoughts that I want to run thru before I go to sleep, on the other side I have some thoughts for the morning:

THE EVENING
"We should every night call ourselves to an account: What infirmity have I mastered today? What passions opposed? What temptation resisted? What virtue acquired? Our vices will abate of themselves if they be brought every day to the shrift."
                                                   SENECA

"Spending a little time calculating the number of things that go right is a simple but powerful way to reactivate our sense of wonder and gratitude."
                                                    RICHARD CARLSON



THE MORNING
"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love..."
                                                 MARCUS AURELIUS

"Every day that is born into the world comes like a burst of music and rings the whole day through, and you make of it a dance, a dirge, or a life march, as you will."
                                                         THOMAS CARLYLE

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
                                                           RALPH WALDO EMERSON