Inspired Athletes

MUHAMMAD ALI, 70 and Still Strong

02 Feb 2012 09:52:43 pm GMT +- 6:00

[i][b] �All I did was stand up for what I believed.� [/b][/i] *************************** On January 16th, Muhammad Ali celebrated his 70th birthday. What a life he has lived! [b]As an athlete[/b] � the most renowned boxer the world has ever known. 3 time heavyweight champion and named Sportsman of the CENTURY by [i]Sports Illustrated[/i] in 1999. [b]As a social activist[/b] � controversial, contentious and confident. After a religious transformation (in which he converted to Islam and changed his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali) he refused to be inducted into the U.S. military during the Viet Nam War. Was convicted of draft evasion and stripped of his boxing title. Nearly went to jail. 4 years later the Supreme Court overturned his conviction. [b]As a humanitarian and philanthropist[/b] � honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from Amnesty International, United Nations Messenger of Peace, Time�s 100 Most Important People of the Century, Presidential Medal of Freedom. Despite having Parkinson�s syndrome (diagnosed in 1984), he travels the world, continuing to stand for what he believes� fighting hunger, challenging prejudice, seeking peace. From vilified to idolized, rejected to embraced. And always, regardless of consequences, true to himself. [i]�All I did was stand up for what I believed.�[/i] As we embark on a momentous 2012, I suggest we emulate Muhammad Ali. By standing for what we believe, we find ourselves at the heart of integrity and the core of who we are. From there, we can move mountains *************** [url=http://www.alicenter.org][u]***The SOURCE of Today�s Real Zeal words***[/u][/url]...

TIM TEBOW, Denver Broncos Quarterback

27 Jan 2012 07:32:33 pm GMT +- 6:00

[i][b] �In the end, the thing I most want to do is not win championships or make a lot of money; it's to invest in people's lives, to make a difference." [/b][/i] *************************** Tim Tebow, quarterback for the Denver Broncos, has had a season of extreme highs and frustrating lows � displays of magnificent brilliance interspersed with striking failure. The jury is still out on Tim Tebow being a successful NFL quarterback. In the realm of making a difference, there is no doubt. Tim Tebow consistently inspires the world. Every week, Tim chooses someone who is dealing with significant challenges and flies them to Sunday�s game. Pays for their hotel and meals. Gets them tickets on the 30-yard line. Meets with them before and after the game. Most importantly, he gives them a renewed sense of hope and confidence. Isn�t this a distraction for him? [list]"Just the opposite. It's by far the best thing I do to get myself ready. Here you are, about to play a game that the world says is the most important thing in the world. Win and they praise you. Lose and they crush you. And here I have a chance to talk to the coolest, most courageous people. It puts it all into perspective. �The game doesn't really matter. I mean, I'll give 100 percent of my heart to win it, but [i]in the end, the thing I most want to do is not win championships or make a lot of money, it's to invest in people's lives, to make a difference."[/i][/list] In the end, what is it that [i]we[/i] most want? What really matters in [i]our[/i] lives? Once we can clearly articulate what we�re committed to, decisions about what�s most important become downright simple. *************** [url=http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7455943/believing-tim-tebow][u]***The SOURCE of Today�s Real Zeal words***[/u][/url]

LIONEL MESSI, Barcelona Soccer Star

19 Jan 2012 06:55:30 pm GMT +- 6:00

[i][b]"There is not only one way of winning a game."[/b][/i] *************************** Lionel Messi is one of the most nimble and gifted soccer* players to ever play the game. This week, he was honored with the FIFA World Player of the Year award, becoming the first ever to win this tribute three years running. As a young child from Argentina, Lionel dreamed of becoming a world-famous soccer star. At the age of 11, however, he was diagnosed with a hormone disorder and doctors feared he would never grow taller than 4 � feet. Neither Lionel�s family nor the local soccer club could pay for the $900+/month treatment that Lionel needed. Enter Barcelona, a premier Spanish professional soccer club, who stepped up and offered to pay for Lionel�s treatment. Overnight Lionel�s future was back on track. Lionel in now in his 13th year with Barcelona where he and his team have won countless titles and championships. Constantly challenged by other supremely talented players and teams, Lionel has learned that [i]there is not only one way of winning a game[/i]. He is clear that winning requires ingenuity, creativity, and inspired action. Winning in life also requires ingenuity, creativity, and inspired action. Are there dreams or life-long goals you�ve forsaken, believing victory is no longer within reach? Maybe you�ve become stagnant and one-dimensional in your approach. Instead of abandoning your dreams, it may be time to apply ingenuity, creativity, and inspired action. Keep reminding yourself: There is not only one way of winning! [*Called football everywhere but the U.S.] *************** [url=http://soccerlens.com/lionel-messi-world-player-of-the-year-and-2009-interview/38775/][u]***The SOURCE of Today�s Real Zeal words***[/u][/url]...

DREW BREES, New Orleans Saint Quarterback

12 Jan 2012 04:45:08 pm GMT +- 6:00

[i][b] �It's not about me. It's about this team, it's about this city, it's about these fans.� [/b][/i] *************************** It seems fitting to ring in 2012 by honoring Drew Brees � quarterback of the New Orleans Saints and one of the most inspiring and generous athletes in the world today. Drew lives his life inside four priorities � the 4 F�s he calls them � faith, family, football and philanthropy. On any given day, you may find him meeting with elementary students, giving a pep talk to a local high school football team, or, hammer in hand, continuing to rebuild New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Drew is clearly a man who is making a difference far beyond the boundaries of his personal achievements. Drew spoke today�s words the night that he surpassed a season-high passing record held by Dan Marino since 1984 � [i]�It's not about me. It's about this team, it's about this city, it's about these fans.�[/i] As we begin this new year, 2012, it�s an opportune time to create where we�re going and who we�re going to be. Drew�s words point us in the right direction. If we declared that 2012 was about something bigger than ourselves, what would it be about? Take time to meditate on this question and clearly determine what 2012 is about for you. Being about something bigger than ourselves, as Drew Brees clearly is, just [i]may[/i] be the foundation of our miracles and the source of our joy. May each of you have a miraculous and joy-filled 2012! *************** [url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20111226_ATL@NO/brees-sets-mark-saints-win-south-title][u]***The SOURCE of Today�s Real Zeal words***[/u][/url]...

MIKE KRZYZEWSKI: Sportsman of the Year

15 Dec 2011 03:35:02 pm GMT +- 6:00

[i][b] �The main thing I want a player to get from me is that I�m on his side.� [/b][/i] *************************** Mike Krzyzewski [pronounced sha-SHEF-ski] is one of the nation�s most successful college basketball coaches. Known as �Coach K,� he has led his Duke Blue Devils to 4 NCAA championships, 11 Final Fours and 12 Atlantic Coast Conference regular season titles. Just last month he became Division I�s winningest coach (with 903 career victories) and this week was honored as the 2011 Sportsman of the Year by [i]Sports Illustrated.[/i] Today�s [i]Real Zeal[/i] words give us insight into Coach K, a remarkable man: [i]�The main thing I want a player to get from me is that I�m on his side. He can trust me and he will get the truth from me every time. If there�s one person to depend on in the world, they can depend on me.�[/i] What�s possible with this kind of commitment? Whether you succeed or fail, perform brilliantly or fall flat on your face, you have an advocate � one who without question or compromise � is on your side. Coach K provides a foundation for extraordinary growth, for realizing one�s full potential, and for incredible miracles. As we close out 2011 and usher in 2012, I pose a question: Who are we going to be in 2012? For our friends . . . our spouses . . . our teammates . . . our children? What rock-solid and unwavering commitment will [i]we[/i] take on? Coach K�s commitment � [i]The main thing I want a player to get from me is that I�m on his side[/i] � is an inspiring place to start. *************** [url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/magazine/12/04/sportsman.announcement/?xid=cnnbin][u]***The SOURCE of Today�s Real Zeal words***[/u][/url]...