Hi Guys,

This is an adaptation of a poem brought by John Wooden that defines well our training philosophy. I hope u can take the time to read. It brings a new sense of purpose to our efforts as GB parents and students of the gentle art.

Cheers,

Prof. Flavio Almeida
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A Parent Talks to a Child Before the First Game
- Adapted from Wooden: “A Lifetime of Observations On and Off the Court”

This is your first game my child. I hope you win.
I hope you win for your sake, not mine.
Because winning is nice.
It is good feeling.
Like the whole world is yours.
But, it passes, this feeling.
And what lasts is what you’ve learned.

And what you learn about is life.
That is what Jiu-Jitsu is all about. Life.
The whole thing is played out in a match.
The happiness of life.
The miseries.
The Joys.
The heartbreaks.

There is no telling what will turn up.
There is no telling whether they will toss you out on your first match,
or wether you will stay for the long haul.

There is no telling how you will do.
I’m talking about life.
But, it is life that the game is all about.
just as I said.

Because every match is life.
And life is a match
A serious Match.
Dead Serious.

But, that is what you do with serious things.
You do your best.
You take what comes.
You take what comes.
And you run with it.

Winning is fun.
Sure.
But Winning is not the point.

Wanting to win is the point.
Not giving up is the point.
Never being satisfied with what you’ve done is the point.
Never letting anyone down is the point.

Play to win.
Sure.
But loose like a champion.
Because is not winning that counts.
What counts is trying.

Let us know your thought by commenting here.