Oddity Article: The Power of Prayer

I know you may see robbers get talked out of committing a robbery by an everyday ordinary person in a lot of movies, but the fact is that almost never happens. In this case though, it did happen. A robber broke into a local "Check into Cash" with a originally asking for a loan. Next thing you know he is pulling out a gun and jumping over the counter. She begins to tell him that he doesn't have to do this (robbery) and that he has his whole life in front of him. The robber then puts his gun away and has a conversation with the lady. They talk about how he has tried everything, he was in the military, was trained to do heating and air conditioning work and learned about mechanics but he cannot find a job. On top of it all has a two year old daughter who is about to become homeless, along with himself. In the end he ends up giving the lady the only bullet that was in his gun, prayed with her, thanked her for listening because he said no one has ever listened to him, then he hugged her and left.

This is news because it is so unusual, what are the chances of this happening? Maybe one in a million. Perhaps, because of this event people will hear this story, and hopefully think they don't have to go to these extremes to get money. To many people, this also shows the power of Christ. The entire 45 minutes that the robber and worker were working talking, no one came in, and the phone did not ring. This in itself is considered a miracle because this is normally a very busy place.

I think this article shows that everyone is capable of good. Even someone who was prepared to pull the trigger and kill that lady if necessary. Also, it shows what the reality is for many people in out country. This guy has done seemingly everything in his power to get money, and to get himself a decent job. He was in the military and even got technical training afterwards, yet he is still unable to find a job. Now he is about to go to jail for this, and his fiance will stuck with their two year old daughter, and now even less money. The future does not look to good for them.

Post 4

1.In your recent reading, what has your author/main character said that has stood out to you. Something they did or said, A quote, an experience they had that you had a reaction to?
Sports psychologists always say to invision yourself succeeding, to picture yourself making the shot. Coach Wooden taught to assume you would fail, that way you will be ready to react when the ball hits off the rim. He said "I taught them to expect failure--the missed basket--and to be ready to do what comes next: a tip-in, rebound, fastbreak or something else."

2. Talk about someone you know who either lives by the characteristics or traits your author talks about or lives like the subject of your book. Someone who you believe does what the author says to do/or lives by.
Coach Elser uses a lot of the tactics discussed in this book. My guess would be he has read one of the many books John Wooden has co-authored. He tries not to yell, and does many similar things such as wanting players to acknowledge a good assist or pass or play.

3. Is it important for us to study leadership? Is it important for us to look at what others say or do as inspiration or as an example of how to live or lead? Why or why not?
Yes it is very important because we are the future leaders of this country. We can takes others advice and experiences and think about what they say to help us form our own ideas about leadership and ethics.

3rd Blog

1. Reactions to the latest pages you have read. What have you found interesting so far? What do you agree/disagree with?
I continue to find all of his insights interesting. Literally everything said in this book is quotable. What I found most interesting and agree 100% with is his philosophies on emotions while playing. He said "An emotional leader is apt to loosing clear thinking," which is true in my mind. He discusses the difference between intensity and emotion. He uses the metaphor "Emotionalism can be a fatal flaw. I place the greatest value on intensity. It's the difference between a welder's arc and a forest fire. Both have plenty of hear, but the welder's torch cuts through steel with precision, while the forest fire rages out of control and destroys the forest." I have seen this happen first hand in different situations.

2. What leadership traits has the subject of your book shown? Or what leadership traits has your author talked about being important? Use specific examples from the book including page number.
This entire book is about leadership. Every little section has to do with leadership, you can open the book to any random page and point, and it will be a good quote about leadership. One thing I enjoyed was a preseason letter he wrote to his team in it he said " Although I am very interested in each of you as an individual, when you are on the practice floor, my interest in you is only as part of our team. Your position or situation on our team will depend upon how you perform in comparison with your teammates." (pg 63) This shows a leader should be unbiased and do what is best for everyone.

3. Talk about a specific quote or passage that has stood out to you so far. What is it? Why do you feel it is important?
"Make your personal standard of performance--your behavior in all areas--so exemplary that those under your supervision will find it hard to match, harder to surpass. Be hardest on yourself." A leader should be up to their own standards. You need to practice what you preach.

4. Give me an example of a time that you had to make an ethical decision. What was the situation? Who (no names necessary) was involved? What was the ethical dilemma? Ultimately what did you decide to do and why?
One day I was about to take a math quiz. I walk in the room and the test key was sitting right there. I could have easily cheated and gotten an A on the quiz but I would have felt bad because I did not earn that grade. So I took the test to Mr. Maltas and did not cheat, because it was the right thing to do, and one A isn't worth getting in trouble.

Good Morning,
Today I want you to write about:
1. Your reactions to what you have read so far since last time you posted. Have any of your thoughts about the book changed? What has stood out so far? What do you agree/disagree with?
My thoughts about the book have not changed, I still agree with most everything the book says. What stood out in this reading is how he said players should not be worried about making mistakes. As he puts it, "If you're not making some mistake, you're not doing anything--not trying to make anything happen." And if you aren't trying to make things happen then you are not going to win too many games.

2. Have your views of what you thought leadership was changed in any way so far? If so How?
A little bit, I have learned that a leader shouldn't necessarily measure success just by wins and losses.

3. Can you relate a time when you were put in a leadership position. What was it? How do you feel you did in this position? Is there anything you regret? What would you do differently?
I have been in different leadership positions from class president to team captain for basketball. I think I have done well in these positions, as class president I helped organize and run a food drive which was successful. I do wish I would have done more to raise money for my class. For basketball I think I done well, I don't yell and try helping people out and leading by example. If I changed anything about basketball leadership I would maybe be a bit more vocal, I have no regrets.

4. Following up from the question above, citing particular quotes or passages from the book, write about something you can use that the author said or did when you are put in leadership role now or in the future.
"A leader who finds it difficult to abide by the Golden Rule is like that Indiana ice in springtime--undependable, untrustworthy." A leader should treat others how he wants to be treated and should not abuse his status. He tells a story of how he once abused his status as the star player of his high school team and was benched for it. His team loss, and the coach told him some things are more important than winning. The coach stood up for his principals despite knowing he was going to loose, a leader should always stand up for their principals and that is what i'll try to do in the future.

Blog #1

My book is called "The Essential Wooden" and is about John Wooden, his stories, and his philosophies. Coach Wooden is arguably the greatest coach of all time, regardless of sport. This book is about his views on success, winning and leadership.

What really jumped out at me is the fact that, despite winning so many national titles, and having an 88-game win streak... Coach Wooden didn't measure success by winning. Nor did he ever mention the word "win." He would be more upset if his team won and didn't play as good as they could have than if they lost and played their best. In the first part he talks a lot about his dad and the values that his dad instilled in him, and lessons his dad taught him. His dad taught him that he doesn't need to yell to get his point across, and that calmness is often better. He admits he often forgot this when coaching, but would try his best to remember to live by the words his dad taught him.

Quote that will stick with me: "Live as though you'll die tomorrow, learn as thought you'll live forever"

Hello, Friends :)