Happiness Begins Where Selfishness Ends

Theres nothing I am going to write here that hasn't been written or talked about before. Theres nothing I can say about a man as inspiration and accomplished as John Wooden that is new. I don't have a different or witty take on the man. I am just one of (dare I say) millions of people that have been inspired and influenced by his life and perspective. I've read more than one of his books. I've heard a hundred interviews on the man and seen the footage. I even thought that no one would be able to say something different or new about this man. Then today, on John Wooden's 99th birthday (and he is still kicking and mentally like-a tac sharp taboot), I hear John Wooden described in a new light. I heard Bill Walton describe John Wooden as an "Intergalactic Treasure". Take that in....



In what ranks in the same league as 'the Artie dressed as a pig trying to score drugs' story in radio history, I heard Bill Walton interviewed on Mike and Mike about his former coach and father-figure this morning. Gushing hardly described....but love and respect seeped through every superlative inflated sentance. It was amazing in its exuberance and heartbreaking in its trueness. Bill, when being recruited by colleges, could of had what he refers to as the "three c's" (cash, condos, and car keys) but he now knows how much he truly received by choosing to be mentored by the man who gave us brief but profound antidotes of wisdom such as "be quick but dont hurry" or my favorite "failing to prepare is preparing to fail". Hearing a grown man wax poetic about another grown man could be uncomforttable if you didn't understand Woodens greatness....or if Bill Walton wouldn't break up the love fest with such outrageously hysterical comments such as describing a jump ball as "two hands going upwards to determine the fate of civilization".

I've learned alot from the greatest basketball coach in the history of history but little of that is about sports. In fact I cannot remember one instance hearing John Wooden speak in x's and o's. The last thing you expect to take away from a gym rat is what love is. Yet on the 21st of every month John Wooden sits down and writes his deceased wife a love note. He takes this love note and places it by her pillow where it rests with an ever growing pile. Each letter ends with him letting her know how much he misses her and that he looks forward to the time he will be with her again. He does this EVERY month.

John Wooden was inspired by Mother Teresa's take on life..."A life not lived for others is not a life". This may seem a bit over the top and an approach far from practicle in todays world if you didnt know that he, in all reality, lives to this end day in and day out. The stories are out there that to prove this. And, more than that, the man, even at 99 years old, is still out there living for others. Maybe selflessness is the true fountain of youth. Or maybe life is just easier when you know you've won 10 National Titles in 12 years, including 7 in a row.

When Bill was playing for John Wooden at UCLA he showed up one year with outrageously long hair. Bill, knowing that John would have something to say about this, abruptly told him "You don't have the right to make me get a haircut". John Wooden calmly answered "No I don't Bill, I just have the right to determine who is going to play, and you are going to be missed." Happy Birthday to the man that made that hippie get a much needed haircut. A true "Intergalactic Treasure"!