Of all the heartwarming insights and anecdotes shared regarding University of Louisville basketball player, Kevin Ware — the guard with the gruesomely shattered leg — the wisest words I’ve yet to hear have come straight from the young man.
After surgery to repair his compound fracture, Ware was asked what it was like to awake and see the regional championship trophy, which Coach Rick Pitino had personally delivered to his room. Ware said, “It brought tears to my eyes. It was one of the greatest moments of my life.” He continued to cry, when asked about the encouragement he’s received from his teammates.
In other words, here when one man has the motive and moment to…
… play the victim…
… focus on the negative…
… claim ‘woe is me’…
Or when one could easily…
… blame someone else for his circumstances…
… shake his fist at the divine…
… or deny his current day reality…
Here is this 20 year old college sophomore…
… with negative circumstances suddenly thrust upon him, who has remained upbeat, thankful, encouraging, and even, actually others-focused. Ware poignantly added in this week’s ESPN interview, “I know my situation isn’t the worst. I’m truly blessed.”
How many of the rest of us — perhaps even older than 20 — continue to count our blessings when the consequences seem bleak?
Not Ware.
Earlier this season, Kevin Ware was suspended for 1 game by Coach Pitino for “disciplinary issues.” At the time Pitino said Ware “isn’t coming back anytime soon.” While the specific details of the suspension were never released, those close to the program believe it was due to an attitude problem. Upon his return, Ware said the circumstances prompted him to re-evaluate his priorities and his place on the team.
Note: once again… no victim, negative, nor ‘woe is me.’ Note also… again no blame nor shaking that fist at God.
Looks like we can learn much from young Mr. Ware. Looks like he continues to see how the negative can become a positive… how each of us can learn and grow from the most challenging of circumstances… how always, no matter what, we are truly blessed.
I pray Ware continues to heal. I pray the world continues to watch…
… and hopefully we’ll listen to him, too.
Respectfully,
AR