Michael Jordan

Last weekend Michael Jordan was inducted into the Professional Basketball Hall of Fame. His Airness, the greatest player to ever play the 118-year old game, was capping the end of his remarkable career. He truly had much to be thankful for considering extraordinary achievements. Yet, sadly, his speech was characterized not by gratitude, but by bitterness. It was as if he played his whole life with a grudge. I'm sad for his sake.

This brings up a good point for everyone who plays sports, or anyone who does anything for that matter. Nothing should be done out of bitterness, revenge or from a grudge. Even sport, which lends itself to playing for vengeance or playing with a chip on the shoulder, should not be played that way. In the short run playing because you're angry may work. You may win. You may even end up like Jordan, and have one of the best careers ever. But now we see first hand what it does in the long term. We now know what drove such competitiveness and passion for Jordan. Unfortunately, it wasn't fun, honor, love for teammates or family or the game, or any other unselfish motive. Rather it was something that tears at you on the inside. And sadly, as we can see, it still festers even when you've won everything there is to win.

The remedy: Gratitude for one thing; forgiveness for another; knowing who you are for a third. Just being thankful can go a long way in dispelling resentment. Forgiving coaches or players who have burned you, whether fairly or unfairly, releases a burden that can kill emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. Lastly, knowing that you are not the end-all, be-all, simply one human playing another, and if you lose it's okay. It's okay because your identity is not wrapped up in what you do. These things go a long way in making a career in sports, or anything, more enjoyable.