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Summer Reading

Summer reading is the best.  We stopped at our local library and signed up the kiddos for a summer reading program that includes prizes for diligent readers.  I've never seen my four sit for such long periods of time, concentrating on their new library books. 

I am quite pleased.

Joining in their reading has been a wonderful gift for myself as well.  HH read a book by Lou Holtz, "Wins, Losses and Lessons" and recommended it to me.  Truthfully, it didn't interest me as much, sports books rarely do. 

However, HH insisted that I'd love it, and so believing HH knows me so well, I've picked up the book....and I hate to say it, but he's right.  I am having trouble putting it down.  While the first few chapters have oodles of quotable lines, this one below, I tell you, smacked me straight in the face. 

Life provides all of us with a series of choices.  The choices we make determine how successful we are.  When you acknowledge that you and only you are responsible and accountable for the choices you make, and when you refuse to blame others for the choices you have made, you have in your hands the blueprint for success.  When you allow others to choose your path so that you can blame someone else when things don't go your way, you are fooling no one and cheating no one but yourself.  When you accept the fact that you are in your present condition, good or bad, because of the choices you have made, you will then find yourself capable of changing your situation by making better choices.

No one but you determines your success in life. Making the right choices paves your way.
Last two paragraphs of Chapter 2, Lou Holtz "Wins, Losses, and Lessons"

(While I would have preferred to have God's will somehow mentioned above, how His grace and assistance can help us along in the journey, so much does come down to taking personal responsibility.)
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Leanne said…
Fan-tastic quote. One that I will be printing out and referencing for some time! Thank you for sharing it. I'd love you to come back after you finish the book and tell us more about it. I don't know if I could see myself reading a "sports" book, either, and am so proud of you for picking it up!
June 14, 2011 at 5:24 PM
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