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John Wooden: October 14, 1910 — June 4, 2010
Lance writes stories from his heart, aiming to inspire and motivate, as you align more fully with YOUR true peak. When he’s not here, you can find him hanging out with his family, riding a bike, or just generally acting goofy.
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Wow Lance, that is so special, what a man, what a love story. Some lessons to take from John to live a life full of love
.-= Suzie Cheel´s Last Fabulous Post ..Why Does Change Come With Road Blocks? =-.
Lance, I’m speechless and all teary-eyed, now. This was a very heart-warming video and I’m so glad you shared it. I really don’t have words… except, thank you.
Wow Lance,
Thank you! Thank you!
Tears stream down my face…I just came home from a drama filled work shift, walked down the dock asking the stars and moon, where is the love, just show me where is the love???? And I popped onto the computer for inspiration to soothe my heart before I sleep…and you reminded me..*Here* is the love…And it is well worth it to keep my heart open and share Energy, to keep my Faith and believe in Love, abundant Love–the force of life…Thank you Lance…
.-= Joy´s Last Fabulous Post ..Fearless Fun Friday: Celebrate! =-.
Hi Lance,
This is one of those posts that needed a “Kleenex alert”. What a great find with a truly beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it.
.-= Barbara Swafford´s Last Fabulous Post ..Now What? =-.
Absolutely amazing video of inspirational and visionary John Wooden.
Thank you for sharing Lance.
Mr. Wooden is the epitome of personal development and staying true to thy self all the way.
He has taught us and his athletes beyond just about winning, he taught us how to be passionate human beings and there are more important things in life than just fame and money.
Love, family, respect, commitment, dedication are the qualities he teaches and lives by.
Rest in Peace Mr. Wooden, you will be dearly missed.
.-= Vincent Nguyen´s Last Fabulous Post ..Options are key to success: What are your options? =-.
Hi Lance .. what an amazing video — thank you so much for sharing with us. Gosh this should be shown to every kid everywhere .. such an incredible and honouring video on his wife, life complete, and love — love is all.
Brilliant — I know I’l be back to see this time and time again .. May he be truly happy now he’s with his beloved once again .. Love is wonderful ..
Fantastic .. as I’m off to see my mother in a little while .. good to remember .. THANKYOU .. have a peaceful Sunday .. Hilary
PS have you recently changed your plug in? As I need to enter my details each time?
I couldn’t get me comments from Barbara Sw’s blog .. and she’d changed her plug in .. this has happened to me on one or two other blogs recently .. so not sure?! Just asking! Thanks .. H
.-= Hilary´s Last Fabulous Post ..Flora and fauna of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens – a simple sample .. =-.
How beautiful
Love is the greatest force in the Universe
Another Kleenex Alert here. I love when he recited the poem, he very much reminds me of my dad. They had a lot of recitations in school and he still dazzled us with some of them.
I actually think the kind of love And loyalty he lives is much more common than we might think, or maybe I’ve just been lucky to know some amazing people like him.
Sweet beyond compare. Thank you, Lance for sharing only the very best stuff!
xo
.-= Jannie Funster´s Last Fabulous Post ..Crazy Bananas: Funny Keyword Searches, 8 =-.
What a wonderful man and I love his thoughts on dying. I am so glad for him that he got to be with Nellie again.
.-= Lynn´s Last Fabulous Post ..The lawns, long lunch and freedom =-.
@Suzie — Hi Suzie. John Wooden really exemplified living LOVE. That shines through so brightly in this video. Thanks so much, Suzie…
@Davina — Hearing the words John Wooden speaks really touches upon a deeper part of humanity, and how we are all connected to love. Thanks so much for being here, Davina…
@Joy — Hi Joy. His words touch to the soul. and I really believe that’s because, within each of us, there is a deep connection to LOVE. Even if that’s hard to show or express sometimes, it’s there within all of us. And John Wooden just shares that piece of his heart so beautifully. Joy, your words do this, too…touch to the soul…thank you…
@Barbara — Hi Barbara. Yes, this that John Wooden shares really touches upon something deeper within us. A “Kleenex Alert” may have been a good idea.… Barbara, it is always so good having you here…
@Vincent — Hi Vincent. So much LIFE inspiration shared by this genuinely caring human being. What an experience it had to be to have Mr. Wooden as a basketball coach — and really — a LIFE coach. The lessons he shared, and really in the actions with which he lived his life — spoke volumes to the human being he was. Thanks so much for sharing all these wonderful thoughts, Vincent.
@Hilary — Hi Hilary. We can all see LOVE in watching Mr. Wooden. And that’s so good for everyone to experience.…kids included. (wonderful thought, Hilary!) And yes, now he’s reunited with the love of his life…and how sweet that is! And — regarding if I’ve changed anything here: no, I don’t think I have. I will do a few checks, though, to see if anything has changed that I’m not aware of. Have a wonderful Sunday!
@Jeanne — Love really is the greatest force, and John Wooden exemplified that so beautifully! Thanks so much, Jeanne…
@Jannie — Hi Jannie. Your words are touching, especially as I think about YOU and how you have experienced LOVE in your life. Jannie…just so you know…you happen to very much be one of these AMAZING people you talk about.…and my life is beautifully blessed because you are a part of it. Much love to you, dear friend…
@Lynn — Hi Lynn. You know, that part about dying is one that really touched me, too. What a wonderful way to look at life…everlasting life!! And now…he is reunited with the love of his life here on earth…and that is sweet indeed. Thank you so much, Lynn…
This was beautiful, Lance. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. People like Coach Wooden remind us that we can keep our hearts open no matter what happens to us, and we can let love flow through us regardless of our circumstances. Love truly is the most powerful force in the universe, and it’s around us all the time. Sometimes we forget that, and so we need little reminders like this.
.-= Jay´s Last Fabulous Post ..Hero =-.
Oh, Lance, this was so wonderful to watch. So heartwarming. What a man. Thanks so much for this. Off to get the Kleenex!
Have a wonderful Sunday with the fam.
Natalia
Hi Lance,
I love this man and read his book along time ago. Love…it could be so simple. He’s living proof. What a legacy he has left. An example for all. How would my life be different if I stepped up my love vibe and lived that long…Thanks for sharing and have a happy running week;)
What a great video. What struck me most was his advice to “truly love.’ I think too often we believe that gimmicks or external solutions are key to enduring love or happiness, when in fact, if we focused on ourselves and what we do, we could create the lasting love we desire. “Truly Love.” Wisdom for the ages.
.-= HappinessandWisdom´s Last Fabulous Post ..Video about Happiness. Habits of Happiness by Matthieu Ricard =-.
So sad, so beautiful, and so good at tearing me up first thing Sunday morning — This is very touching. What are you doing to us, Lance? This is more than a Sunday thought — this is a thought of everyday!!! Thank you so much.….….….……May he rest in peace and may we learn from him.
WOW! Moving but says it all.….….Love, Loyalty and Balance! Love, love, love TRULY makes the world go round.…..
THANK YOU…Another awesome heart felt moment to start my day!
.-= Jules Big Girl Bombshell´s Last Fabulous Post ..What The……..Wednesday =-.
Oh, Lance, I was so not expecting this. Shame on you for putting this out this beautiful morning and making me cry
No, in all seriousness, that was SOOOO beautiful and THANK YOU! Things like that just melt me, because I feel that strength of love so much in my own life with Markus. I know the depth that can bond two souls, and I can feel so much what Coach John is saying and feeling.
LOVE. Is there anything else? It is so simple — or it can be — we can always choose it. Let’s! Let us all truly love!
.-= Evita´s Last Fabulous Post ..Spas, Spirit and Lasting Wellness: How to Make That Great Spa Feeling Last =-.
Beautiful and such an inspiration. It said that at 99, he was still teaching. So true.
.-= Patricia — Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker´s Last Fabulous Post ..Inner Child Letters Series — Processing =-.
Lance, thank you for sharing this. I’d seen it before, and it touched my heart. For me, it inspires thoughts of a lifetime of love… Or what “forever” is supposed to mean.
This was so beautiful, I teared up … I’m so grateful Mr. Wooden shared himself this way, and thank you, Lance, for sharing it, too.
.-= Julie´s Last Fabulous Post ..The Only Thing That Matters =-.
Hi Lance. I came back and watched this again… and cried again
It’s a very good cry, though. I just noticed that this lovely man passed away just over a week ago. I like thinking that maybe John can see all of us now instead of just us watching him in the video.
@Jay — Hi Jay. Coach Wooden really is such a shining example of what LOVE is. So wonderful to see the love he held for his wife Nellie, right up to the end. And all of this just makes his basketball presence that much more meaningful…
@Natalia — Hi Natalia. John Wooden just shows such love and care in his words…and words you can just tell that he really means. Definitely brings the tears, hearing him speak these sweet words…
@Tess — Hi Tess. Yes, that really is it! Love…can be so simple…it doesn’t have to be overcomplicated. It’s really about truly, truly listening to our heart. and I know exactly what you mean…how might I have applied myself differently with love as more of a focus…always. Wonderful thoughts, Tess… (and I WILL be running this week!!)
@Happiness and Wisdom — “Truly love’…words that stood out for me, too. I really take that to be listening to our heart…and then letting what which we hear…out. So wonderful…thank YOU!!
@Farnoosh — Hi Farnoosh. Hmmm…you might think I’ve recently bought stock in Kleenex. Honestly, though…these words spoke so powerfully to me when I first saw the video (several months ago). And then, with his passing, they all came rushing back to me. And upon watching this again, it really just took me to a place within…and to stop and just think about what LOVE means. LOVE on a very deep and meaningful level. It truly is a thought for every day. What a wonderful soul Coach Wooden was…
@Jules — Hi Jules. LOVE really is such a wonderful thing. And in the busy-ness of our lives, I know that it’s all too easy for me to forget this (both personally, locally, and globally). Coach Wooden’s words just really bring it all back home…home in my heart…
@Evita — Hi Evita. You make me smile today! Tears that touch our soul…that’s what I think. Coach Wooden lived a wonderful life, and he was ready for what was next in his life. And I really believe that we can feel that soul of him, in these words he speaks. Evita, what you and Markus have created in your relationship shines of LOVE in everything I have witnessed. And it’s beautiful to see. Let us all truly love…and just imagine what that might look like! So wonderful!
@Patricia — Spiritual Journey of a Lightworker — Hi Patricia. Coach Wooden really is still teaching, even after he as left this place on earth…with words that still just carry such a wonderful message. Thank you so much for being here…
Hi Lance! This was awesome — who knew? I surely never thought about it — but it was certainly a different view of man I hardly knew.
hugs
suZen
Love is a great force behind life. He looks so vital.
It is a shame though that he has not let his Nellie rest and followed the living. He could have had amazing love continue in his life. When someone dies, we still harvest their love and yet still can go on loving life and loving other living beings if one so wish or we happen to meet someone. Just my thoughts on an otherwise great topic.
xox Wilma
@Megan — Hi Megan. Forever. Hmmm.…that’s an interesting word. And it is, because of how we might view what that means. I like to think that forever includes something beyond our time here on earth…and I think it makes this even more special. LOVE…
@Julie — Hi Julie. This just really felt so fitting, and perhaps even more so with tears…knowing that Coach Wooden had passed away just a week ago. Perhaps it’s in feeling that what he is saying just really comes from a place deep within his soul. And in that…we connect…
@Davina — Hi (again!) Davina. What a completely wonderful thought…as I think of what you’ve shared…and think of Coach Wooden looking down, and feeling the vibrations of LOVE. Davina, this really is such a loving thought…thank you…
@Suzen — Hi Suzen. When we think of a sports coach…LOVE (sweet, tender, caring LOVE) is probably not our first thought. And yet — look at the legacy this great man has left…with a focus completely upon LOVE. Big hugs to you, sweet friend…
@Wilma — Hi Wilma. LOVE is such a beautiful thing! And I hear what you’re saying. Still — and maybe this is just me — I believe that Coach Wooden’s LOVE was deep and wide (including that for this dear wife Nellie). And I guess it’s hard for me to speculate as to everything that happened in the years since his wife’s passing. And in all of that — I see just this video (for right or for wrong) and what it means — at this moment — irregardless of anything else. As always, Wilma…know, though, that I deeply appreciate all that you share, and share so openly. It all helps to further my own understanding of self, of others, and of LOVE…
Thanks Lance for not hearing me as right or wrong. What came up for me is that we so often see love as exclusive of others. The danger is the romantic notion that there is only one person we will ever love.
I agree, we can love deeply AND we can love deeply more than once and more than one person.
When my first daughter was borne I never thought I could love another child as much, and of course I did. As you say love is wide and includes everyone. xox Wilma
Wilma,
Thank you so much for returning here today. You really do make a great point that love can be inclusive, and we CAN love others within our life. And this has me thinking more deeply about LOVE tonight, and how I express that in the moments of my day…and with all of the people I cross paths with…
Lance,
What a wise man! Thank you for sharing this. I needed to hear this. Not the LOVE part but the second most important word: Balance. I try hard not to tip over and needed to be reminded that it’s all about balance. So I will do just that. Sit down, breathe, put things in perspective.
Thank you dear friend.
M
.-= Mindful Mimi´s Last Fabulous Post ..What’s in a name… =-.
Lance, this is so true, and so beautiful to me! I have been thinking in the last few weeks, far from home and from my love of how rare quality relationships are in general anymore (including a positive network_, and it breaks my heart for it doesn’t have to be this way.)
I really believe that John nailed the issue so simply. “Loyalty!” I can relate to the “loyalty” that John speaks of. I also feel that it is essential and that is why I can honestly understand — it resonates so deeply what he shares. It doesn’t feel sad to me at all, but it feels “so right!” .. these are the kind of relationships that we are born for, it is only found from the Source, and truly committed vessels reflecting it to one another.
Thanks for sharing! Very inspiring and comforting as I also am trying to share love stories to change the world! It’s amazing how simple, honest lives overflowing with LOVE really make all the difference!
blessings to you, Lance! ~Jenn
.-= Jenn´s Last Fabulous Post ..What’s Your Balance Point? & Are You Grateful for It? =-.
If I were a man, I would want to be a man of integrity just like Coach Wooden. But alas, I’m all woman, so what can I do? I believe that although we don’t know much about Nellie, she felt charged with a great commission to be a good woman. I want to love the men in my life in ways that inspire loyalty and respect. The only way to get that, is to give it.
I have to say, that I always find respect here in the jungle Lance, and that is a huge part of why people return day in and day out. Well done my friend!
Impressive, heartwarming! You always leave me feeling good.
.-= lisaschaos´s Last Fabulous Post ..Macro Monday ~ The Feather =-.
John Wooden is a great man. I love his pyramid of success. It how how well thought out his life was. From his wife to his career to his belief structure. A great man in every sense of the word.
There are great, moving moments in my life and this is one of them. Thanks for sharing this interview with a such a great being!
@Mimi — Hi Miranda. Balancing our lives, which to me — means really being aware of all aspects of our life, and how they interact…so important to leading lives that feel less-stressed. And that really is all about putting things into perspective.…
@Jenn — Hi Jenn. LOVE is within us all. I know that you feel that, Jenn. And in that — you both give and receive beautiful love. What Coach Wooden created in his life is a direct reflection of how he lived that life. And Jenn…ALL that you share is moving on so many levels. You ARE changing the world…and shining LOVE in all that you do!
@Audra — Hi Audra. {chuckling} You know…I’m not the quickest…so it’s good you clarified that!! (ha!!) Marriage (or just LOVE), when it’s a two-way street…this just creates the setting for LOVE to blossom beautifully. Audra, you shine at giving love, loyalty, and respect…and in that, you have created a family that shines this too. It is so good having you here, sweet friend…and know that your words land on my heart…and I’m smiling from within…
@Lisa — Hi Lisa. Coach Wooden’s words really are heartwarming and caring…
@Karl — Hi Karl. I’ve always thought of Coach Wooden as a great man, primarily for his skills at teaching basketball. In recent years, I’ve also started to see that this was much more…that it was really teaching life skills. Seeing this video a few months back really brought this all to the next level…in what he spoke from his heart in this. So moving. Great thoughts, Karl…thanks so much for sharing all of this.
@Mark — Hi Mark. Seeing this video really touched for me, upon what it means to truly speak from the heart. And in that, I just feel even more permission, myself, to do that. What a gift Coach Wooden has been, indeed…
I had come across this earlier last week while compiling some of my Wooden resources. It’s amazing what a thin slice of data and story can say about a person’s values and path through life. I like the fact that he drove from such simple rules and stayed connected to his passion, but kept it in balance.
His love story is a reminder of the precious side of life.
.-= J.D. Meier´s Last Fabulous Post ..3 Take Aways from The Karate Kid =-.
Lance! That is soooooo sweet! It is such a sweet story, I only wish I could one day know someone as wise as he.
.-= Jenny´s Last Fabulous Post ..A Fresh Re-Start =-.
@J.D. Meier — So true, JD. This four minute segment into Coach Wooden shines a light on him that I don’t think we would have typically have seen. And yet — it’s such a positive and uplifting light…
@Jenny — Hi Jenny. So good to see you here today! And the thing is…whatever life holds for each of us…whatever that is…there is good in that. So, always believe.…Jenny.…always believe in YOU, and the beautiful gifts you give to this world. You really do…
Wow! Very inspirational to hear about folks who live their entire life with integrity. I’m favoriting this one to my YouTube account.
.-= Colleen´s Last Fabulous Post ..West Richland Washington 2010 Hogs & Dogs Event =-.
Watching the video posted here, got me on a tangent watching Coach Wooden videos. If ya haven’t seen it, this one is a must see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u9G7MGggYA
.-= Colleen´s Last Fabulous Post ..West Richland Washington 2010 Hogs & Dogs Event =-.
What a precious man. He lived a life of love and loyalty. I loved his smile when he said dying was the most beautiful thing that will ever happen to me.
Amazing life!
.-= Angelia Sims´s Last Fabulous Post ..No Stressin’, No Freakin’ =-.
@Colleen — This is a beautiful video! So glad you liked it…and that it led you to check out even more of Coach Wooden’s videos. And thank you for sharing the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar/Coach Wooden video. That certainly speaks to Mr. Wooden’s wonderful life characteristics — and how he truly lived these out.
@Angelia — An amazing life and an amazing man! There’s also just a sense of real peace in his acceptance of death…