On 2 February, Punxsutawney Phil will let us know whether we can expect six more weeks of winter (not a bad thing for us skiers) or if Spring will come early. In the Bill Murray movie. “Groundhog Day,” he plays a weatherman stuck in a time loop on Groundhog Day, repeating the same day over and over. Ultimately, he realizes he can use it to his advantage. Unfortunately, only in Hollywood can you relive the same day over and over again righting the wrongs of the previous day. In reality, we must make the most of every day. That movie always reminds me of a quote I keep on the bulletin board outside my office called “Seize the Day.” It goes as follows:
This is the beginning of a new day.
God has given me this day to use as I will
I can waste it, or use it for good.
What I do today is important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever leaving in its place something I have traded for it.
I want it to be a gain, not loss: good, not evil: success, not failure: in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for it…a day of my life.
Along a similar thought regarding the value of a day, and as put by the Coach himself in the Apple TV Show “Ted Lasso”:
“Every day is a gift… That’s why they call it ‘The Present!’”
In many ways, our student-athletes are now as we were then, and seemingly “bulletproof” in their own minds… “Young men and women of steel” (as the Superman comic would say…)
We who have lived life a little longer and fuller, recognize there is no guarantee of tomorrow for any of us, and many have seen abrupt and unanticipated changes to our, or friends’ plans for the future.
So make the most of today, enjoy the present, and Carpe’ Diem!
Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time!
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