The Sunshine Report The Worthy Struggle Jay shares thoughts on the oft used phrase – ‘the thrill of victory’ – and what it really means. The tougher the struggle, the sweeter the victory. It just seems to work that way. When you really have to push yourself and give it everything you’ve got, the truth is - you’re never really sure whether victory will be there at the end as your ultimate reward. But, as it turns out, it’s not the end result that makes all the difference. It’s the struggle. It’s the intense feeling of being fully engaged. Acting with courage and honor. Building confidence and setting an example for others. The victory over self is what makes all the difference. The process provides the thrill. And ‘victory’ is merely a well-deserved sweetener. Take for instance the perspective of Serena Williams. A few weeks ago, at the age of 41, Serena, wife, mother to a young daughter, and one of the greatest tennis players of all time with 23 singles majors’ titles, took to the courts at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in New York City. She arrived at what would likely be her last ever US Open. As the media and fans relished in the moment, replaying, and reliving some of her greatest moments on court, she stayed focused, practicing for her first match against a highly rated opponent. A heavy underdog even with all her accolades, she would go on to win the match in stunning fashion, offering a glimpse of the greatness she still had to offer. Unfortunately, a few days later she would eventually be eliminated from the tournament, yet as she departed Arthur Ashe Stadium, she took an extra moment not just to wave to the adoring crowd, but to observe. When asked about the moment in a post-match press conference, she would repeat something she said a few years earlier during the height of her success, “I like to cherish every victory as best I can.” In the face of a defeat, and likely the end of her career, it may have seemed an odd thing to say. However, it was a telling statement from a storied champion from humble beginnings about appreciating the work put in day in and day out to achieve her dreams. She would go on to discuss how simply being able to play at such a high level for so many years and to do it in front of such adoring crowds was a victory in itself, regardless of the titles she won along the way. When she left the court that day, it was a moment she took to appreciate what she’d given and what she’d gotten back in return. When we achieve something in life, it’s often observed as achieving a specific thing, i.e., an award or a promotion, recognition amongst peers. Yet it’s rare that we ourselves take a moment to give ourselves a little credit, admire our ability to accomplish something we put our minds to. We tend to relish in what we receive from others in these moments, without giving ourselves the personal recognition for being able to achieve what it is we set our mind to. That’s not to say that humility isn’t still an important virtue, on the contrary. The ability to internally admire our accomplishments allows us the chance to appreciate where we came from, how we’ve grown, and where we can still grow. It also creates a spirit of healthy competition and sportsmanship amongst peers or a competitor. When we take space for ourselves, it also generally creates an environment for respect and recognition for those we compete with, encouraging healthy competition that can help each of us to continue to achieve. To set an objective, to compete with courage and strength, there is a thrilling victory of personal accomplishment, no matter the result. Read The Report Tales of Victory Against All Odds Read More Running Your ‘Own’ Race   Read More Positive Profile of the Week: Carlton Fisk - The Thrill of Victory This week we are delighted to highlight a New Hampshire native, widely thought to be the Granite State’s most accomplished all-time athlete and who has experienced ‘first-hand’ the ‘thrill of victory, Carlton Fisk. Game Six of the 1975 World Series is considered one of the best games ever played in Major League history. Carlton Fisk came to bat in the 12th inning, and it was at precisely 12:34 am early on the morning of Oct 22nd that he drove a 1-0 fastball high into the air and down the left-field line. What people remember most is Carlton emphatically trying to 'wave the ball fair' as he ran down to first base. The ball actually hit the bright yellow foul pole in left field and caromed - fair! This dramatic home run gave the Red Sox a 7-6 win over the Cincinnati Reds and forced a Game Seven. Carlton was born in Bellows Falls, VT in 1947 but only because, as he has often noted, his native Charlestown, NH didn't have a hospital. He grew up playing baseball, soccer, and basketball on Charlestown teams. In baseball he played third base and was also a catcher and pitcher. However interestingly enough it was in basketball that he initially excelled. He was a starter as a sophomore and helped lead Charlestown to an undefeated season and the 1963 NH Class M Championship. While playing in a high school basketball tournament at the Boston Garden, then Celtics owner Walter Brown asked a reporter "You have to tell me - who is that kid?" At UNH, he played both basketball and baseball, but it was the Red Sox who drafted him in the first round of the 1967 amateur draft. It was then that he gave up his dreams of basketball glory because as he put it "I could never be a six-foot-two power forward and play for the Celtics." "Pudge (his nickname as a young kid) works harder than anyone I know, because he sets goals for himself and then follows through. I think he's the ultimate professional"…said former White Sox manager Jim Fregosi. And as Carlton famously said once in an interview and with his usual passion "You gotta love the game!" Which is why Fisk in 1972 was the first player to be unanimously voted American League Rookie of the year. One major reason is that during that same year he became the first American League catcher to lead the league in triples when he hit nine three-baggers. And why he was among the top offensive catchers in the American League in his eight full seasons with the Boston Red Sox. His best year in Boston was in 1977, when he hit .315 with 26 home runs and 102 runs batted in. He also holds a number of records: Oldest catcher in MLB history to hit 20 home runs in a season Holds the record for most home runs hit after the age of 40 Holds the record for the most years played as a catcher And the list goes on… Interestingly the number 72 and 27 are significant. “The number 72 has some meaning for me,” Fisk told the New York Daily News at a press conference announcing his new contract with the White Sox. “It represents the year I broke into the Majors, and also was the year of the birth of my son, Casey. He wore the number 27 in Chicago and is as he would point out the inverse of 72. Even though he played more years with the Chicago White Sox than the Boston Red Sox, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as a Red Sox. He is considered one of the best ever to play the game especially as a catcher! He's one of only 10 people to have his number retired by two teams. In 2004, he received the distinction of being the greatest NH athlete of all time. There is even a Disney baseball themed Mickey film which has a catcher named Pudge and hits a home run just as Fisk did in 1975! His passion and perseverance have enabled him to experience the thrill of victory many times over! Congratulations and thank you, Carlton Fisk! Quotes of the Week “Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory.” Mahatma Gandhi     Jay Lucas | www.JayLucas.us  Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email Jay Lucas | 7 Portwalk Pl, Portsmouth, NH 03801 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]