FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE

Phil Jackson once was quoted as saying, “I gave it my body and mind but I have kept my soul.” I think the newly retired Lakers coach also said after Dallas swept his squad that he was kind of glad the season was over and only a man still possessing his soul could say that. Not only should he have been tired after amassing 11 world championships but after doing so and figuring out how to motivate grown, rich men for 21 seasons. He has this ranch in Montana apparently where he finds solace and from what I understand that’s where he retreated to decide if he’d even coach the Lakers in 2010-2011. Perhaps another of Jackson’s quotes provides insight as to how one remains engaged in the gruel and grind en route to fulfilling a mission:

“Wisdom is always an overmatch for strength”

– Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers

Sometimes it’s the uninhibited first thoughts that make you feel the most alive. When upon walking you feel refreshed for maybe the first time in months and you’re geographically so far from accessing the problems you daily try to solve, it’s worth writing something down. I landed in Kahului, Maui, Hawaii last night and everybody looks forward to an island reprieve. But my first thought on arrival had to do with sleep and sleep again. But a buddy met me at the airport to pick me up and on the way home he started sharing the stuff that revives.

I’m here on basketball business, if you wanna call it that, helping NBC Camps and Basketball Maui host a second year of camp directed at building community by equipping youth to elevate their view of potential. All year my two friends who started the camp have burgeoned what began as a camp into an island-wide initiative. It’s bigger than basketball now as my buddy shared on the ride from the airport. And I began to feel the breath reenter my lungs. Fatigue and exasperation sap life. And therein lies the importance of stepping away from the mundane, listening to outsiders who are motivated to effect change and involving yourself in a servant role to their cause.

My first thought this morning was, “I think I see the clouds moving.” After that, I reached for this thing and started writing more from feel and less from thought.