Finish The Race

“FINISH THE RACE”

                                                      BY COACH FRANK SAGASTA

     NEVER STOP... KEEP GOING! NEVER GIVE IN TO PAIN OR DOUBT... KEEP GOING!!

Q: How many time do we quit something just before we have the opportunity to experience whatever blessings we have coming to fruition?  

Q: How many time do we sabotage ourselves from blessing?

Q: How many times do we see circumstances or situations as problems and not opportunities? 

I am suspecting more time than we truly want to admit too!  I know as a husband and father of twenty one years, I have sabotaged my own blessings.  In fact, I'll go a bit further and admit I might have blocked the blessings for my own family at times. 

As a coach, we are reminded of these events or situations.  I think back to those moments when we lost a game or playoffs.  Coach talk shortly after the game.  We will talk on the bus ride to a  restaurant, than talk in the restaurant and the next day.  Finally, we realize it is time to pick up the pieces and to keep moving.  We make a schedule for practices, than we share with the guys/ladies for that sport.  I am reminded today of those wonderful moments or opportunities because even in those tight situations.  We would always say to our players: “It’s time to hammer down”, which in other words meant “KEEP GOING!” 

I want to share the story of a Polish composer and pianist Mr. Ignacio Paderewski.  Mr. Paderewski was scheduled to play in one of my favorite cities Philadelphia.  Nevertheless, as the doors opened and the audience were arriving and making their way to their seats, unbeknownst to a mother.  Her son would leave her side and dash for the front aisle and to gaze at the mighty piano.  The young lad stood there for some time than aroused with ambition.  The lad had a enough of the spotlight beaming  at the piano that he grew the courage to jump on stage and to make his way to the piano bench.  To the audiences shock... the lad started playing his own version of “Chopsticks.”  The audience immediately started complaining and shouting: 

“WHO”S BOY IS THAT?” AND “WHERE ARE HIS PARENTS?” 

The great pianist Ignacio heard the commotion.  He peeked out from behind the stage and to his own surprise.  He had seen the young lad playing, without hesitation.  Ignacio Paderewski walked som calmly behind the young lad and began to play the most beautiful melody around the simple tune of the young lad playing.  As he did this, Ignacio Paderewski whispered into the lads ear: “Don’t stop... don’t stop, keep going, don’t quit! I’ll stay right by your side.”  

This story replays from time to time in my mind because it employee the greatness of a Master Pianist and the legacy he left behind.  The legacy in the young lad and the whole audience.  I also think hard on this story because of what Jesus said through the life of Joshua: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, anther be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”  I hear those words that I expressed with my players: “Keep going and don’t quit. Hammer down.”  Even in those circumstances.  Even in those moments when life gets you down or weight in on you.  Even in times of discouragement or disappointment.  Even in times of death or depression.  Jesus said the same thing the pianist said... “Don’t stop, don’t quit...keep going.”  Talk about inspiration and motivation to overcome and persevere today, have a blessed day everyone.  And thank you for spending a few moments reading.  

“Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.” - Robert Schuller 

Blessing, 

Coach Frank Sagasta 

Coachingbeyond LLC, 

Coachingbeyond5@gmail.com