MESSAGE #685 DAY 3 SPECIAL OLYMPICS SUMMER GAMES…
“I’m just here to give it my all, make some new friends and have fun. And if I win a medal, that’s great.”
-BRAD ABOUCHEDID, Special Olympics tennis player, Summer Games 2009
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MESSAGE #683 IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR…
“Programmed into our very human nature is the desire to push limits. Here is the proof.”
-Message painted on a Special Olympics van
Today’s message is especially dedicated to all of the inspiring special athletes, organizers and volunteers at this weekend’s Special Olympics Summer Games at The College of New Jersey.
Well, it’s my favorite time of year again – Special Olympics Summer Games.
This amazing annual event gives me a true sense of pure joy and inspiration. I have been a volunteer coach for nearly ten years now and am enjoying every minute of it!
These athletes have mental disabilities.
But I look at it differently…
They are truly special.
Where else can you get an all-out effort and a huge smile and sense of accomplishment with a last-place finish?
All of the athletes, parents, friends, supporters and volunteers experience unconditional love and support during these games.
And everyone is so polite, saying thank you to the ball boys and girls. Cheering each other on, even if they are competing against each other.
Most of these players cannot even keep score, and you think that YOU are not cut out to play sports?
It’s not about winning. It’s about pushing yourself, giving your all, and having fun.
I don’t get paid a dime to work with these special athletes.
I’m lying.
I have gotten unlimited internal riches from my experience. And that will always be with me.
I volunteer because I love it and I feel that it is my way of making a difference.
And the only reason why I tell you about my work with the Special Olympics is that I hope that this may inspire you to do something equally gratifying.
Make a difference however you can.
That’s success. And that’s wealth.
So come out this weekend to support these great athletes. The first person to find me at the tennis courts gets a free copy of my book, “Game. Set. Life.” signed by yours truly and my entire Special Olympics tennis team!
Thanks for reading.
MESSAGE #466 AN INSPIRING STORY…
Today’s message is especially dedicated to Professor Prose.
I love the Special Olympics. How can you not love all out effort and a smile regardless of if you win or lose? As a volunteer coach for the Special Olympics, I can safely say that working with my special athletes is one of the most rewarding things that I have ever done. Here is an inspiring story by request.
It was the Summer Games for the Special Olympics. The event was track and field. As usual, positivity was all around. “Great job!” and “You can do it!” filled the air from coaches, parents, friends and other athletes. There was this little girl – she was in last place, but she kept running and running and giving it her all. She wasn’t even close to the second-to-last athlete, but the crowd cheered on. In fact, the cheers got louder and louder as she approached the finish line. And after she crossed, she has the biggest smile on her face and she put her arms in the air as if she had just won the gold and said, “Mommy, Daddy, I did it!”
It was very emotional for the parents and tears were certainly shed. The girl’s parents were still crying when a reporter came up to them after the event. “Congratulations, why are you still crying…is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything is fine – we just heard our daughter say her first words…”
Thanks for reading.
MESSAGE #410 BEST SELLER???
Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great James Tillinghast in Delaware.
Well, it’s official – my new book, Game. Set. Life. is currently ranked higher than Roger Federer’s book, Billie Jean King’s, Gone with the Wind, Oprah’s, and Tennis For Dummies on Amazon.com.
I extend much gratitude to everyone that purchased my book on Amazon yesterday. It really helped bump me up from #386,000 to #4,988. Not a bad start.
Let’s have a contest…
Whoever can tell me (in as many words as you like) why you need a copy of Game. Set. Life., you win a free copy signed by myself and one of my friends, students and heroes, who wrote the forward to my book…Brad Abouchedid, Special Olympics, Gold Medalist in Tennis.
Let’s give it until Monday, September 15th at noon. Email me at and good luck!
Thanks for reading.