The Inspiration Of A Motto

"Think about it, if you laugh, you think, and you cry... That's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're gonna have something special."

Wise words from one so legendary. 

We have all had our run-in with some special quote that might inspire us later on in our lives. Cliche or not, we felt it necessary to really take these words to heart. 

Jimmy Valvano's 1993 ESPY speech was something MUCH more than just words put together meant to inspire a select few people. Now that I am writing specifically on his speech, it is actually difficult to put into words what this speech meant to many people. I know I do not speak for just myself when I say that every time that speech is replayed, chills are to be expected. 

What Jimmy V has meant to the world of sports simply cannot be put into words no matter who may try... Although I'll give Dickie V my best shot. 

Friends for some time, Dickie V is one so highly involved with The V Foundation.

The passion that Jim Valvano expressed in his everyday life whether it be playing on the court, coaching or just going about life in general, the man had passion that is indescribable. Not only does Jimmy V tell us three vital things to do within our daily life, but he also tells us what is most important to him in his life. Take notes. 

"Where you started, where you are and where you're going to be. Those are the three things that I try to do everyday. When I think about getting up and giving a speech, I can't help it. I have to remember the first speech I ever gave." 

Jimmy V breaks it down for us a little and thank goodness he does. 

He is 21 years old and about to start his first coaching job at Rutgers University. As Jimmy V inspires many of us, he had to have someone who inspired him. Considering Jimmy V's character, that had to be one influential person. That someone was Vince Lombardi... Yes, inspirational to say the least. Jim wanted to model his first speech that he was going to give his players before a game after Lombardi. There really was no better coach to model your speech after. Think about it, the speech that you give your players before they run out on that court is one of the most important things of your career. It worked for Lombardi, but it may be that Jimmy V modeled his speech a little too much like him. On a humorous note and to make a long story short Jimmy V looks at his players and says, "Gentlemen, all eyes on me. Let's go. Gentlemen, we'll be successful this year if you can focus on three things and three things only. Your family, your religion and the Green Bay Packers." Odd coming from the Rutgers basketball coach, but it makes for a good story. 

Coach K is one that Jimmy V speaks very highly of within his speech, justifiably. 

The point of this part of the speech is that no matter where Jimmy V was in his daily, he remembers where he came from. He's giving his 1993 ESPY speech, he's on the big stage, and he remembers his very first speech, his first screw up, from way back when. Always remember where you came from, it helps make you who you are today. 

"It's important to know where you are."

Jimmy V asks us all how do we go from where we are to where we want to be and tells us that we have to have an enthusiasm for life. One thing we can know for sure is that not only did Jim give us some top caliber advice, but he lived it as well. He goes on to say that we not only need enthusiasm, but "you have to have a dream, a goal. You have to be willing to work for it." 

We have all heard that before, I am sure of it. The cliche "shoot for the stars. Dream big. Be happy and excited about life." But, doesn't it mean more coming from someone who could have been living their last days and were actually OFFERING these wisest words of wisdom? 

As if he hasn't given us enough within this speech, he urges us all to do just one last thing... "Enjoy your life, the precious moments you have. To spend each day with some laughter and some thought, to get your emotions going... To keep your dreams alive in spite of problems whatever you have."

No matter trials that Jim was facing, as he was facing the toughest of them all, he was enthusiastic... To say the least. We see this even as he is just standing on a stage. Jimmy V stated that where he was then in his life, he wanted to give hope to others. "What I would like to be able to do is spend whatever time I have left and to give, and maybe, some hope to others." If he was here today, we would tell him that he gave us so much more than just hope. 

Dickie V is one who always lives with enthusiasm. He's an inspiration himself.

The Jimmy V Foundation's motto is "Don't give up, don't ever give up." A motto that has circulated around the sports world for quite some time now. One that I know has inspired many to keep going whether they be an athlete, someone battling a terminal disease, or your average Joe who's just trying to make a name of themselves. So, again I will say that Jimmy V gave us so much more than just hope. He gave some people a reason to keep fighting for their life, someone to continue to achieve their dream of a lifetime. 

"Cancer can take away all my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever."

Something and someone so legendary has no other option than to have that carry on forever. We are so grateful.

At the beginning of his speech... "And I also don't have one of those things going with the cue cards, so I'm going to speak longer than anybody has spoken tonight."

I can speak for us all when I say that we are glad that Mr. Valvano did not have a teleprompter. 



***To make a donation to The V Foundation, visit http://www.jimmyv.org/?gclid=Cj0KEQiAwaqkBRDHx6rzxMqAobgBEiQAxJazJxqXIhGg1DgzqqIv1vuW1PM3WsSPHFQFVB8FTgGhYpkaAgeg8P8HAQ

Athletes now speak on the importance of The V Foundation