My dad, Joshua Wooden, was a strong man in one sense, but a gentle man. Why is it easier to criticize than to compliment? It was my desire to live up to his model and expectations. Your faith, whatever it may be, is the greatest shelter of all. [John R Wooden; Steve Jamison; Beau Bridges] Putting it all together : my pyramid of success -- The genesis -- Are you a failure if you do your best?

Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

It was a card on which he had written a few guidelines.

Get this from a library! Evoking days gone by when coaches were respected as much for their off-court performances as for their success on the court, In honest and telling passages about virtually every aspect of life, Coach shares his personal philosophy on family, achievement, success, and excellence. It means forgiving. You don't pay. The first and most important step in friendship is being a friend. This rule is even more important in life than basketball. He said, "Johnny, as long as you have this you'll never be broke," and he was pretty close to right.

I have tried. Doubting is a lower instinct. II. Families, values, virtues -- My roots go deep in America -- Nothing is stronger than gentleness -- My mother\'s great example -- The real coaches and teachers -- Strong inside -- Life\'s game plan starts early -- Two sets of threes -- Pride or punishment -- The gift of a lifetime -- Living up to dad\'s creed -- Give it away to get it back -- Six of life\'s puzzlers -- Trusting others -- Politeness and courtesy -- What you are -- Nellie and I agreed to be agreeable -- Passion isn\'t love -- Love and marriage -- Marriage is not courtship -- When marriage weakens -- Team Wooden -- Family first -- Sports, books, and kids -- Parents, children, and goals -- Mentors -- You are more influential than you think -- Commend, don\'t criticize -- Parenting and coaching -- My favorite four-letter words : \"kids\" and \"love\" -- Character -- The fundamental goal -- Perfection -- Priorities -- Learn forever, die tomorrow -- Faults are fine -- Timeless traits -- Giving and receiving -- Are you looking for the right things? You must work at friendship.

Very early we understood that there would be times when we disagreed but there would never be times when we had to be disagreeable. Friendship is giving and sharing of yourself. I couldn't get her up no matter how roughly I treated her. [John Wooden; Steve Jamison; Beau Bridges] -- As the former coach of the UCLA Bruins' basketball team, John Wooden achieved ten national championship victories in only twelve seasons. ? It's showing concern and consideration. We say those words, but how often do we really believe them? It was on a warm star-filled night at the carnival during the summer of my freshman year. If just one side works at it, it isn't friendship. [John Wooden; Steve Jamison] -- The former basketball coach at UCLA shares his personal philosophy on family, achievement, success, and excellence. -- Basketball in the year 2000 -- Dealing with big-headedness -- A coach\'s highest compliment -- Keep priorities straight -- Walton\'s whiskers -- Why did players listen to my old-fashioned message? If you sincerely try to do your best to make each day a masterpiece, angels can do no better.

Dad was quiet, but when he did say something, he He was the kind of man I set out to be. We had a team of mules named Jack and Kate on our farm. Later, as a teacher, I wanted those under my own supervision to be motivated in the same way, to strive to be their best because I believed in them rather than from any fear of punishment. You cannot have a perfect day without helping others with no thought of getting something in return. There is a wonderful, almost mystical, law of nature that says three of the things we want most—happiness, freedom, and peace of mind—are always attained when we give them to others. You never stop trying. You get more than you give when you are polite and courteous.

It's a sign of strength. The second set of threes was about dealing with adversity: Some people today may think these are naive or kind of corny. A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections on and Off the Court Being polite and courteous isn't paying a price any more than smiling or being happy is paying a price.
NATIONAL BESTSELLER "I am just a common man who is true to his beliefs." On one side was this verse by the Reverend Henry Van Dyke: The little verse was straightforward but profound: think clearly, have love in your heart, be honest, and trust in God. My father had great inner strength. I learned from her what hard work really means and that it's part of life. On the other side of the paper, Dad had written out his creed. Don't take friendship for granted.

It means learning. Dad nailed an old tomato basket with the bottom knocked out to one end of the hayloft in the barn. NATIONAL BESTSELLER "I am just a common man who is true to his beliefs. Coaching, teaching, leading -- A sacred trust -- Philosophers and prison guards -- Who can lead?
One of my players at UCLA once told me he was embarrassed to have anyone know that he prayed.