Reading: Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy (pgs. 215-240)

In the next section of Quiet Strength, by Tony Dungy, Dungy describes some exciting moments in his career as a head coach.  In chapter eighteen, Dungy describes one of the greatest comeback games in history.  His Indianapolis Colts were playing his former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on Monday Night Football.  They were down by a huge margin in the game.  Amazingly, they started to come back in the second half of the game.  The team kept believing and persevering in the game.  Eventually, the Colts forced overtime and won the game in the end in one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history.  The victory was especially sweet for Dungy as it came on his birthday and also against his former team. 

In chapter seventeen, Dungy describes a few excellent seasons by the Colts.  The Colts had several years of winning many games and making the playoffs.  However, they would always be stopped a few steps short, notably by their nemesis, the New England Patriots.  They seemed to choke in the playoffs as portrayed by the media.  Nevertheless, Dungy took both the positives and the disappointments with him as he continued to work to find a true championship caliber football team.

After reading this section of reading, I relate closest to Dungy as a Colts fan myself.  I lived through some of the painful playoff losses that Dungy describes in his book.  The Colts had many excellent seasons, but they simply could not break through to the championship game until later.  I always know that it is tough to do so well in a sport during the regular portion of the season and come up short when it really matters.  Specifically, I had trouble with this problem in wrestling.  I won many matches during the regular season.  However, during the tournaments, I lost many close matches that I knew I was easily capable of winning.  Overall, I agree with Dungy's disappointments as I have had my fair share of despairs in my life as well.

Reading: Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy (pgs. 183-214)

In the next section of Quiet Strength, by Tony Dungy, I could not help but feel sorry for Dungy's situation.  In chapter fourteen, Dungy describes the long, drawn out process of him being fired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  He knew about rumors that he had a chance to be fired soon, but many close advisers told him the rumors were completely false.  However, Dungy's tenure as the Buccaneers head coach eventually came to an end as he was fired.  He still felt optimistic about his opportunity to serve as a head coach.  Dungy realized that despite the firing, the Buccaneers saw him as a head coach in the NFL.  He took all of his experiences with him as he searched for another coaching position.

In chapter fifteen, Dungy describes an unexpected turn of events.  Dungy, although fired, remained working on several projects in the community in which he lived.  He focused more attention on his family and in some ways, his spiritual life.  However, he eventually received word that the Indianapolis Colts were interested in him as a head coach.  In fact, Colts owner, Jim Irsay, said that Dungy was the only man for the job.  Dungy accepted the job and began to work towards building a championship team.  One specific component to his team was Peyton Manning.  Manning was added to the Colts to lead their team to a championship in the future.  Dungy describes his preparations for the team for the rest of the chapter as the Colts prepare to win a championship soon.

After reading this section of reading, I specifically enjoy Dungy's quick change of fortune.  He goes from being a fired coach, to quickly becoming a coach of a team that desperately wants him.  Not only was he hired by the Colts, but their owner knew that Dungy was the only man for the job.  I believe whenever a leader, coach, or other influence in a sport or profession has extreme confidence in a person, that person's confidence is powerful.  Dungy, backed by the management of the Colts, gained assurance that he was the one for the Colts.  He was not simply a fill in coach.  He was destined to lead to the team and be the perfect man for the job.  Whenever coaches have had this kind of confidence in me, I have responded with positive performances.  Truly, when a coach believes in me, I begin to believe in myself more.   I have learned from Dungy's life that encouraging people are true keys to any person's success in a sport. 

Track Season of Fluctuations

Track season has officially begun.  Our team has now completed two meets.  Personally, I am somewhat pleased with my performance so far in the season.  I have been in some fortunate situations in my opinion in track meets.  However, I know I can improve greatly in both shot put and discus.  I want to continue to work at improving every day, while I focus on the positives.  Even though there are some extremely disappointing meets, I know that a poor performance in a meet does not mean that I have no hope.  Performances in meets can be extremely fluky one way or another.  I know I have the ability to achieve my goals.  I will continue to give the sport my best and leave the results up to God.  I ultimately want to enjoy the sport while giving it everything I can and letting God handle the results.

Looking into the Future, New York Times

In the New York Times article, "High School Seniors Predict Their Future," several high school students make plans for possible future careers.  Personally, I relate closest to the student who wants to be a school counselor.  He wants to be a counselor because of the encouraging people in his life.  Personally, I believe I have strong people skills that would suit me well for a job such as a school counselor.  I also believe the kid that wants to be a marijuana baker is the most interesting.  He seems serious about his intents to do this job, which is a rare job indeed.  I believe the kid that is undecided is the most deluded because he is only interested in money at the moment.

Personally, in ten years, I can easily see myself as a high school teacher.  I believe I have the complete skill set to fair well in the job.  I enjoy helping people and relating to others.  I hope that I can achieve my goals in life.  I will want to use my personal skills as a people person in my future career.  I hope that I can fully use these goals in a position such as a teacher or counselor.  I am not concerned with the money portion of a job.  I am solely interested in whether or not I see myself enjoying my career for all of my time spent on the job.  I hope to find a more definite plan later in life but I also can relate myself to a few of the kids from this New York Times article.

Reading: Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy (pgs. 151-182)

Despite some somber moments, Dungy provides a strong, positive message in the next section of his book, Quiet Strength.  In chapter twelve, Dungy describes a positive, yet disappointing experience with his team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  His team continued to make steps toward a championship, as described by Dungy.  Eventually, they make it to the NFC championship game.  However, they lost the game and ended the season with another disappointment.  Dungy specifically notes the firing of an assistant coach of his named Mike.  Dungy voiced his disaproval for the decision and later regretted speaking up.  Dungy altogether wanted to continue to make strides with the Buccaneers, and he knew complaining would not get him to his envisioned destination.

In chapter thirteen, Dungy describes his installation of a new defense for the Buccaneers.  The cover two defense helped to improve the Buccaneers even more as a football team.  Their defense, already strong, improved with the new scheme.  This change helped propel the team to even more success in the NFL.  In addition, Dungy describes his family's relationship with some special people.  Specifically, an underprivileged  child named Jordan helped to shape his life as well as the life of his wife Lauren.  Through his understanding, the Dungys learned more about themselves and an attitude they should use.  Tony Dungy and his family gained a positive perspective from Jordan and continued to use it throughout their lives.

After reading this section, I agree specifically with Dungy's experiences with disappointment.  Despite improvements, Dungy could still not meet his goals for his team.  I have learned that even if I am doing all of the right things, there are still struggles.  The fact that you are doing your best and eliminating bad decisions and habits will prove to be valuable.  However, life can seem even more difficult for a person when they are trying to be the best they can be.  I hope that I continue to have a positive perspective like Dungy's as I continue my walk in life.

Reading: Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy (pgs. 127-150)

After completing my next section of Quiet Strength, by Tony Dungy, I have found more insights on life that I believe I will be using in the future.  In chapter ten, Dungy describes his preparations to prepare his Tampa Bay Buccaneers to be a better team.  Through progress in the draft and other signings, the Buccaneers continued to make progress as Dungy describes.  Dungy says that his team helped to build not only a better team on the field, but a better group off the field as well.  He states that he was glad he was put into a position to pick up certain players because they were tough decisions that helped his team become a championship caliber team. 

In chapter eleven, Dungy undergoes improvements with both his team and his personal spiritual life.  Dungy's main point is that other people in his life helped to improve his own situation.  His football team began to buy in and become a great team.  Despite the improvements, the Buccaneers were still not ready to win a championship.  Dungy began to make new changes and work on certain areas to make this dream a reality.  Dungy's disappointments as a coach of the Buccaneers came solely when his team did not meet their potential.  He realized that some teams had more potential than others.  He wanted each team to meet their goals and best possible results given the talent on the team.  At the end of the chapter, Dungy perhaps foreshadows to becoming a coach of another team as he describes his ability to lead a team to a championship.

After reading this section of reading, I agree strongly with Dungy's point on meeting potential.  Personally, I do not view myself as an elite athlete.  I have never been truly superb at any particular sport.  However, my passion and love for sports help me to meet my personal potential.  Although my potential may be less than some, I know I can always meet the goals I have set for myself and even surpass them.  When I focus on my individual improvement rather than looking at how others are doing, I find myself much happier.  Dungy knew what his teams were capable of and he worked to realize each team's true potential.  Dungy's focus is strong and correct, I will continue to use his wisdom in my life in the future.

BUTLER!!!!!!!!

Two Final Four appearances in two straight years for this small, mid-major school!

Bracket......... Busted

Well I made the common mistake of picking too many high seeds in my bracket for this year's NCAA basketball tournament.  All of my final four picks were number one seeded teams.  As a result of the crazy tournament, I missed all of those picks.  My bracket looked great after the first round, but quickly, starting with the second round games, my bracket turned sour.  I believe many other Americans can feel my pain as this year had an extremely unpredictable tournament.  Probably three-quarters of people whom filled out brackets have a mostly busted bracket now.  I will not be winning any bracket challenges this year, but I still look forward to an intriguing final four set up to end the tournament.

CRAZIEST TOURNAMENT EVER!!!!!!!!

The 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament has certainly been one to remember.  Upsets were not only common, at times, it seemed as if you knew the lower seeded team was going to win the game.  People always are talking about the magic of march madness, and clearly anyone watching this year's tournament will know why now.  Butler, VCU, Kentucky, and Connecticut have now advanced to the final four.  There are no number one or number two seeded teams in the final four.  In fact, Butler is an eight seed and VCU is an eleven seed!  Needless to say, I believe we are in for some fantastic basketball to cap off an incredible tournament.

Favorite Poem of the Quarter

Although I enjoyed many poems during the quarter, one poem stood out to me above all of the rest.  Specifically, I thought that Mary Elizabeth Frye's "Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep" was the best poem of the quarter.  The poem specifically spoke to me as I read the poem.  People who go to their graves may be dead in the physical form, but they live on in memory, as stated in the poem.  People are never dead in the hearts and minds of the people who knew them well.  Without the memory of people who have passed, the world would be a much sadder place.  We need the memories of people in order to have a greater awareness and knowledge of the world around us.  I enjoyed Frye's poem the most this quarter, and I look forward to more interesting poems in the future.

Reflections from my Early Reading.........

I believe my early reading has been rather enjoyable as a whole.  Specifically, I enjoyed Coming Back Stronger, the most out of the books I read.  In contrast, Juiced, by Jose Canseco was less enjoyable for me.  Both books provided different perspectives on morals.  Both books were based on sports as well.  I thought that Brees's book was more open and welcoming to opinions than Canseco's.  Both authors had clear viewpoints, but Canseco seemed to be more set in his opinions.  He also attempted to persuade the reader into using something that should not be used according to law.  I found more insight that I can actually use in the book by Brees.  Canseco's book gave me a distinct perspective, but I disagree with some of his opinions and most of his values.  Overall, I believe I had a successful quarter of reading and I look forward to reading more unique, enjoyable books.

Reading: Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy (pgs. 95-126)

Tony Dungy describes even more strategies of life in the next section of his book, Quiet Strength.  In chapter eight, Dungy describes his massive transitions from being an assistant coach to being a head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  He describes his initial changes in Tampa Bay as a head coach, including his changing of the entire coaching staff.  He even added one of his best friends, Herman Edwards, to become an assistant coach for him.  He worked hard on establishing better rules and disciplines for players as well as working to improve the image and facilities of the Buccaneers. 

In chapter nine, Dungy describes his major philosophies and styles he brought to the Buccaneers as a coach.  He implemented a new set of rules and discipline for his players.  He also worked very hard with assistants to build a championship caliber team through the NFL draft and other means.  Dungy seemed to apply more and more styles upon the team by the day.  He was well respected for his high level of manner on the field.  Dungy always was a humble guy, and his leadership and growth as a Christian never stopped.  Dungy built a stronger team, and worked harder every day to continue to prepare his players for a chance to shine on a bigger stage.  Dungy also describes his early season successes to be limited as a coach.  His team started off on a terrible streak.  However, they fought through the season and finished with an improved, 6-10 record.  Despite limited success, Dungy showed others that he had the Buccaneers clearly going in the right direction.

After reading this section of reading, I easily agree with Dungy's style.  Dungy seems like the type that does not talk much, but always is working.  I have always enjoyed a more humble, quiet working style.  I believe Dungy knew he had abilities and works in progress that would continue to improve his team.  He knew he was capable of being a great coach, but he focused solely on his work other than talking to the public about how smart he was as a coach.  I always have found that I fair best in a sport when I do little or no bragging leading up to the event.  Whenever I tell people I am going to be great, or set unrealistic expectations, I always seem to walk away disappointed.  I enjoy working in solitude as I continue to increase my strength.  I train myself in a more quiet manner in order to maintain a level head.  I know that I would have a tendency to become cocky, annoying, and arrogant if I started thinking highly of myself.  I know that God hates pride as he states in the Bible.  I realize that how difficult it may be, I must focus every day on maintaining a level head and humbleness when I view myself and the world around me.

Reading: Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy (pgs. 67-94)

I found some key insights from Tony Dungy, the author of Quiet Strength, in the next section of my reading in his book.  In chapter six, Dungy describes his promotion from defensive backs coach to defensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Dungy also describes the incredible experience he shared with his wife as they had their first few children.  Dungy, despite all of the positives surrounding the Pittsburgh organization, eventually heard his calling from God in a different direction.  The move was difficult for both Tony and his wife, Lauren.  After surveying through several options, Dungy eventually decided to take a defensive backs coaching position for the Kansas City Chiefs.  In Kansas City, he reconnected with a good friend of his and fellow coach, Herm Edwards.  Dungy endured extremely long hours studying with fellow coaches while in Kansas City.  His experiences with the Chiefs certainly had their ups and downs, but he overall grew as a person and coach while in Kansas City.  Dungy took his next coaching job with the Minnesota Vikings.  The head coach for the Vikings, Dennis Green, had a sizable impact on Dungy.  Green emphasized hard work all of the time, yet he always allowed people to be treated as true people.  He gave coaches time to be with their families.  He always had a strong unity policy with the team.  Dungy learned a great deal from Green, and took many of his philosophies with him when he became a head coach later in his career. 

In chapter seven, Dungy continues to detail his experiences in Minnesota, specifically his spiritual growth.  He became good friends with a chaplain in Minnesota, named Tom.  Tom helped instill Dungy with core beliefs and moral to not only strengthen him as a christian, but also as a football coach and high character leader.  Through more experiences with both Tom and Dennis Green, Dungy grew expansively in knowledge and Green prepared him every day for his time as a head coach.  Dungy describes several opportunities he had to be a head coach that simply fell short for him.  He was almost hired by many organizations.  Shockingly, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers showed great interest in Dungy as a future head coach.  Through poor interviews and looming coach candidates, Dungy believed he had no shot at the job.  However, he was eventually signed to a head coaching contract by the Buccaneers.  Dungy and his wife were ecstatic, and he looked forward to a bright future with a team to call his own. 

After reading this section of Quiet Strength, I cannot help but agree with most of Dungy's lessons.  He states in his book that he learned and absorbed an incredible amount of information from the teachings of others.  Obviously, a person cannot become great from their own efforts.  They must have a strong supporting cast.  I always know I have a strong base in my family and friends for support.  No matter what I decide to pursue in life, I know I will have leaders to look up to for guidance.  Specifically, I remember leaders in my middle school, all of them being teachers and coaches.  They not only instilled toughness in me, but they showed a true interest in my abilities and potential.  In response, I have always had a greater confidence due to some of these encounters with teachers in my life.  I, as with Dungy, will always look for experienced people for guidance in any area of life I decide to pursue.

NCAA March Madness

According to the New York Times article, "In N.C.A.A. Tournament, Overachievers Often Disappoint," there seem to be few trends that can be counted upon when filling out your tournament brackets.  Overall, there are always overachieving teams that under perform in the tournament and underachieving teams that over perform in the tournament.  There have been plenty of teams to make deep runs in the tournament that had little expectations going into the tourney.  Personally, I always try to analyze statistics when filling out my bracket.  However, I have seen that statistics are often not effective when predicting winners in the tourney.  All signs could be pointing towards a team to win a game, but they could still lose.  The facts are true in statistics as well.  If a team has a ninety percent chance of winning, they also have a ten percent chance to lose the game.  Although some trends and rankings on teams by various sources seem to be reliable, trends are always shifted around and broken every year in the tourney.  Overall, I look forward to what should be an exciting, although incredibly unpredictable NCAA tournament.

Comparing Nuper and April in Spell Bound

After viewing spell bound, it was clear to me that two of the competitors, April and Nuper, compared and contrasted greatly throughout the movie.  April appeared to be much more pessimistic and negative when describing her prospects in the spelling bee.  She set her expectations very low for the competition and exceeded them by a large margin.  Nuper on the other hand, seemed to be more interested in the task at hand.  Both girls had an extreme passion for spelling, but Nuper appeared to embrace this passion more than April.  Overall, Nuper seemed to be more open to showing her feelings than the more pessimistic April.

The Season Comes to an End...

After only one playoff game, my intramural basketball team is now done for the season.  We battled through a bit of adversity, but in the end, we seemed to be out of sync and over matched.  Our opponents played well while we struggled.  In addition, I did not have all of my players to play in the game.  As a season as a whole, I still enjoy the week one highlight win for our team.  I still enjoyed playing on my team and having fun with my good friends.  Although there were some lopsided losses, I truly only evaluate my own performance to call myself to changes that have to be made.  I know that if I keep on working my hardest and pursuing the goals in my life, God will provide for me.  God does not always appear to be working in my favor, but he always is there with a purpose for every situation.  I look back on this basketball season as both a positive, constructive, and enjoyable experience.

Here Comes the Rematch........

As the intramural playoffs now roll onto the single elimination tournament, my team is facing a familiar foe.  We play the team that we most recently played the final game of the regular season!  Personally, I had mixed feelings when I heard that my team would be playing this team whom I am familiar with overall.  I had my worst game of the season against them.  In addition, the fact that I know their players well adds some more pressure to me that I do not want at all.  However, I enjoy playing against friends, and I look forward to my chance to bounce back.  Overall, I am going to try to play with passion yet still keeping the game into perspective.  The basketball game is for fun, and if I work my hardest, I should have no regrets.  I will put forth my best effort and leave the results up to God.

Reading: Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy (pgs. 21-66)

In the next section of my reading of Quiet Strength, by Tony Dungy, I found more ways in which Dungy and I are similar.  In chapter three, Dungy describes his high school experience as a player on both the football and basketball teams.  He was successful as a quarterback in football as well as a varsity player for the basketball team.  He was very successful in both sports, although he decided that he would quit the football team before his senior year due to a problem he believed to be concerning racism.  The football team did not vote for a black friend of his that he believed to be deserving of a captain spot on the team.  Dungy initially decided to quit, with his friends following closely behind him on the team.  However, upon being persuaded by a mentor of his, Dungy decided to return to the team for his senior season.  As for his college career, Dungy decided that he would play both basketball and football for Minnesota University.  Dungy describes his ups and downs while playing football for Minnesota.  He did not play basketball for a long period of time for the school, as he found that balancing the two sports was too difficult.  At the end of the chapter, Dungy describes the difficult reality he faced when he was not drafted to be a quarterback in the NFL. 

In chapter four, Dungy details his path to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  However, Dungy was forced to play defensive back, a position he had never played in his career.  He describes the Pittsburgh Steeler's atmosphere to be top notch and full of excellent leaders.  The organization was full of high class people.  Despite switching positions, Dungy found success playing defensive back for the Steelers. 

In chapter five, Dungy describes the remainder of his NFL career, including his trade to the San Francisco 49ers late in his career.  Shortly after his career as an NFL player ended, Dungy accepted an invitation to be an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers.  In addition, Dungy describes his initial encounters with his soon to be wife at this particular point in his life.  Initially. Dungy was reluctant to meet this woman because Dr. Guest, a preacher, referred him to her.  However, he quickly found out that this woman, Lauren Harris, would be the woman he would marry.  Dungy spends the rest of the chapter describing a developing relationship with his wife and their eventual wedding day.

After reading this section of Quiet Strength, I can relate to Dungy in a couple different ways.  When Dungy describes giving up football due to a disagreement with the coaching staff, I feel I can relate well to his situation.  At the time, he was more concerned about basketball.  He believed giving up football was not a big deal as he had other things going for him.  In my life, I have realized that I must not waste the talents and resources I have been blessed with in my life.  If I have a talent in a particular area, I should not give it up simply because it is hard work and I have other passions I would like to pursue in life.  I must always leave as many doors open as possible in life.  As a result, I can have the most options when I decide to specifically pursue a part of my life more in depth.  Dungy, I believe, realizes this truth when he decides to return to football.  Despite his success in basketball, he realized he could contribute well in football and see where that would lead him.  I believe all people can learn from Dungy's lesson to give everything you have to all phases of your life in order to continue to improve yourself as an individual.