Last week we had a heart-warming presentation from Peter Young, retired sportscaster and current realtor-novelist from Bozeman, MT. Peter has spent the better part of the past twenty years working on his novel, The Blue Team, and talked to us about sports, stories, and the lessons we learn from both.

 

Peter made four key points in his talk, each illustrated with amusing anecdotes from his own life. First, he advised, play for the love of the game, not your craving for praise. Second, don't try to be someone else. Be yourself. Peter told us he wanted to be the next Larry Bird when he was playing basketball and he wanted to be the next John Wooden when he was coaching it. Over time, he learned that the world doesn't need another Larry Bird. The world needs the best you you can be.

 

Third, understand where the game is truly played. It's not on the field or the court or the track. It's in your head. When you've mastered your own doubts and fears and ego, you'll win.  Finally, Peter referred to a talk given by North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano shortly before he died of cancer at a young age. Don't give up. But equally important, make every day a day in which you laugh and think and are moved to tears.

 

Peter Young gave us that kind of day at noon last week. His book's got to be good.