Wow, when I first read and saw about the success story of Jeremy Lin, I just got excited and I said that I need to write about this kid! LIN-sanity! LIN-possible! LIN-mania! LIN-king!
How did a Harvard Graduate (with a degree in Economics), an Asian-American (his parents are Taiwanese who migrated to the US in the 70's), and a devout Christian is currently making waves in the NBA and has helped the New York Knicks win 7 straight (as of date)?
Based on his interviews, I picked up some lessons we can use in our daily challenges in life:
- TRUST IN GOD! He always says he is blessed and he is thankful to God's perfect will and God's fingerprints all over his story; He also says that basketball is his calling and his purpose in life is to glorify God in everything he do! REFLECTION: "DO WE TRUST IN GOD WHATEVER OUR SITUATION IS RIGHT NOW?
- BELIEVE AND WORK HARD. He wanted to play with Stanford or UCLA in college but didn't get noticed. He went undrafted in the 2010 NBA draft but he continued to trust in himself and work hard. REFLECTION: "SO WE GOT REJECTED SEVERAL TIMES, WE ARE DOWN, WE DID NOT GET WHAT WE WANT, ARE WE JUST GOING TO GIVE UP OR CONTINUE FIGHTING IN LIFE?"
- HUMILITY. "It's not just me, it's the team." He always gives credit to his coach and teammates. REFLECTION: "IN OUR SUCCESSES, DO WE GIVE CREDIT TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HELPED US OR ARE WE ALL ABOUT ME, MYSELF AND I?
- SCHOOL FIRST. He loves basketball, but he pursued and graduated from Harvard with an Economic degree. REFLECTION: "DO WE STILL VALUE EDUCATION? ITS THE GREATEST GIFT THAT PARENTS CAN GIVE TO THEIR CHILDREN!"
- RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME. Being a stereotyped Asian American with a 6 feet 3 inches frame (not as big as the 7 foot Yao Ming), J Lin has to continue to prove his worth from high school, college and even in the NBA to earn his spot. REFLECTION: ARE YOU CURRENTLY UNHERALDED, UNDERAPPRECIATED AND UNDERRECOGNIZED BECAUSE OF YOUR RACE, COLOR, STATUS, PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS, MAYBE YOU JUST NEED TO BE PATIENT AND TRUST THAT ALL WILL HAPPEN IN GOD'S TIME?
Ge
Gerald Cantor is a Financial Planning Advocate of Personal Finance Advisers of the Philippines (www.personalfinance.ph), a Financial Consultant of Pru Life UK (www.prulifeuk.com.ph), a Registered Financial Planner graduate (www.rfp-philippines.com), and a Certified Public Accountant. Ge is most proud to be an ex-OFW, a "career-shifter", a baller, a newby entrepreneur and most importantly, a "proud" dad of Gia (4yo) and Clarie (3yo).
