Issue 758 - Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Booker T. Washington, and John Robert Wooden


Wooden's Wisdom - Volume 13	Issue 758
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EARVIN "MAGIC" JOHNSON, BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, AND JOHN ROBERT WOODEN John Wooden Video Clip (57 sec.): Coach Wooden talks about Friendship. Tony Fuller, my dear friend, mentor, Author and Coach, and Wooden’s Wisdom contributing author told me how much he admired these three people and why. I asked him to write it up as a new issue for Wooden’s Wisdom. Here is Coach Fuller’s great work: Coach Wooden often spoke of the list of seven principles his Father presented him with when he graduated from Grammar school. They became known as his "Seven Point Creed." These seven principles helped to shape his entire life. #4 on the list of seven points suggests; "Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible." One good book that I’ve drank deeply from is "Up from Slavery" the life of Booker T. Washington…. And even though I don’t read my Bible as often as I should, my favorite and most personally impactful story from the Bible is the "Parable of the Talents" found in the 25th Chapter of Matthew. In that Parable, a Master gives money called "talents" to three servants before he leaves on a long journey. One servant was given 5 talents, one servant received 2 talents, and one servant received 1 talent. When the master returned from his journey, he found that the Servants that received the 5 and the 2 talents had worked, invested, and doubled their talents. The 5 talents were now 10, and the 2 talents were now 4. The master praised both saying, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." The third servant, however, had buried the 1 talent he received from the master and had done absolutely nothing with it. He still had only 1 talent when the master returned. The master condemned him and took away the 1 talent he had been given. Now, some of us might say that giving 5, 2, and 1 talent is unfair, and that every servant should have been given exactly the same amount. Coach Wooden always said, "The good Lord in his infinite wisdom did not create us all equally, thus we should never compare ourselves to others, but we should never cease in trying to improve as individuals." My favorite Americans, Coach Wooden and Booker T., were like the servant that received 1 talent. As a youngster, Coach Wooden’s family lost their entire farm during the depression, while Booker T. Washington was born into slavery on a tobacco plantation. Yet, unlike the servant in the parable they both rose from humble beginnings and used their 1 talent to reach unimaginable heights. Conversely, when I think of someone that could be used as an example of the servant in the parable that received the 5 talents, the one person that comes to my mind is Earvin "Magic" Johnson. "Magic" was extremely blessed to be born with great size, and into a large, loving, hardworking, blue collar, two parent home with solid Christian values. Yet, at an early age he understood that if his dreams of becoming a great basketball player, successful businessman, and travel the world, were to come true he was going to have to WORK! Thus he went on to develop through years of hard work, magical athletic skills, intelligence, and unselfish personal charisma and enthusiasm that inspired just as much as it entertained those that were blessed to witness it! He was transformative everywhere he went. He led Everett High School to its first State Championship in 1977. Before he arrived at Michigan State, the Spartans had recorded one 20-win season and participated in the NCAA tournament just 4 times in its history, but with him leading the way, MSU won their first National championship in 1979! 15 months later, he was an NBA champion LA Laker! Although "Magic’s" accomplishments on the court brought him great fame and fortune, his commitment to uplifting others has become the defining mission of his life. He has become a living example of "stewardship." Not perfection, "stewardship!" As an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and philanthropist amongst a host of other things. Using the same leadership, drive, vision, and work ethic he did as an elite athlete, "Magic" has invested heavily in underserved communities thus, providing employment and educational opportunities to countless individuals. Through his actions he has provided a perfect example of pulling himself up with his left hand, while simultaneously pulling others up with his right! Especially, on that November day in 1991, when in the midst of a serious personal health crisis that had everyone writing his obituary, he announced that he would become an advocate for HIV education to help others. Yes, Earvin Johnson Jr. was given many "talents," yet he worked, built, produced, donated, and multiplied what he was given 100 times over. Thus, I believe one day he will hear the words: "Well done my good and faithful servant!" Blessings, Coach Fuller Click here for personal development exercise: Issue 758. Click here for Printable Poetry: Issue 758. Yours in Coaching, Craig Impelman www.woodenswisdom.com Follow @woodenswisdom	COACH'S FAVORITE POETRY AND PROSE The Final Answer This is the word I bring you, from jungle and from town, From city street where weary feet are seeking vague renown, From cotton fields to northern snows, or where the west winds cry, This is the word I bring you: “Keep strong, or else you die.” They speak of battle’s finish—they talk of peace to come. They cheer for songs supplanting the bugle and the drum. They think of dreams in clover, beneath a cloudless sky, Remember what I tell you: “Keep strong, or else you die.” Peace on this war-torn planet? I want it understood I like a cheerful neighbor—but give me hardihood. Give me the fiber needed to face what lies ahead, To make good for the living, to make up for the dead. The easy road is over, for in this swarming hive Those who can take a beating are those who will survive. We’ve ripped a pleasant planet, it’s too late now to sigh. Remember what I’ve told you: “Keep strong, or else you die.” Grantland Rice (1880–1954)
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