State of Mind

Motivational speeches and catch phrases are everywhere these days. For me I always think of State of Mind by Walter D Wintle. I first heard the poem when I was a junior in high school playing football at Lake Oswego High School receited by my head coach Steve Coury. What made the poem so great was how Coach Coury always delivered it. 

Here it is:

State of Mind

If you think you are beaten, you are
If you think you dare not, you don't,
If you like to win, but you think you can't
It is almost certain you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you're lost
For out of the world we find,
Success begins with a fellow's will
It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are
You've got to think high to rise,
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.

Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the man WHO THINKS HE CAN!

When I played for Coach Coury, he was a very relaxed care free type of coach. Once it was game time, he was at a new level. He would deliver State of Mind to us in such a way, that a few times tears would be there. As a player, I played the best when I was relaxed and not too hyped up. I stayed bottled up until the first play and attempted to play with as much violence, rage, anger and control as possible. I had something to prove every play and played every play at it was my last. 

With being a type 1 diabetic, I have a ton of things to think about. I can't count how many times I have thought of Coach Coury delivering State of Mind when I feel sorry for myself or have some hurdles to get over. 

Break Diabetes!

State of Mind!