I was always the kid dribbling the ball on the sidelines, hoping someone would pick me. I'd go with my older brother to the gym or park, and when I went out there, I'd pass the ball so I could get picked again.
John StocktonRead
You can't afford to hop around and act like a kid when you have to get back on defense and worry about the other parts of the game. But at the end, when the buzzer sounds, you have the luxury of hopping around and looking foolish for a while.
Interpretation
Maturity involves balancing serious responsibilities with moments of lightheartedness.
This quote reflects the importance of prioritizing responsibilities and taking the game of life seriously, especially when facing challenges and obligations. However, it also highlights that after fulfilling important duties, there is value in celebrating and enjoying life, even if it means acting a bit foolish at times.
In practice
During a graduation speech to highlight the importance of balancing work and play.
I was always the kid dribbling the ball on the sidelines, hoping someone would pick me. I'd go with my older brother to the gym or park, and when I went out there, I'd pass the ball so I could get picked again.
You don't get this opportunity many times in life to compete against the best in the world every night. I certainly didn't expect to have 10 or 11 years of chances at it, so I don't want to take that for granted.
Why was I able to be able to pass? What did I do right that allowed me to make a pass - any given pass? There's balance; there's vision.
I never thought I'd make it in the NBA, so everything else is gravy.
I don't think about the record, because winning games has to be our focus, and if we lost focus thinking about that record, I would really regret it. How will I feel later on? People tell me it will mean a lot after I retire, for the kids and me. But to me, it's just a stat. It's something people enjoy talking about. Me? I just enjoy playing.
Intellectual honesty is the quality that the public in free countries always has expected of historians; much more than that it does not expect, nor often get.
It is said that a wise man rules over the stars, but this does not mean that he rules over the influences which come from the stars in the sky. It means that he rules over the powers which exist in his own constitution.
Remember, in the vast infinity of life, all is perfect, whole, and complete... and so are you.
There is absolutely no inevitability, so long as there is a willingness to contemplate what is happening.
A man's enjoyment of all good things is in exact proportion to the pains he has undergone to gain them.
Tell them, that, to ease them of their griefs, Their fear of hostile strokes, their aches, losses, Their pangs of love, with other incident throes That nature's fragile vessel doth sustain In life's uncertain voyage, I will some kindness do them.
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