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Like most stereotypical males, I enjoy movies with lots of action and explosions. But I also really enjoy movies that inspire, and cause me to reflect upon the things going on within my own life. I got pulled into just such a movie one night last weekend. It’s one of my all time favorites, and I stayed up way too late to watch the ending.
The movie is Friday Night Lights.
Note: Before you non-football fans roll your eyes and click away, be patient for just a moment, this post has only a passing reference to football.
My favorite part, one of those inspirational reflect on your life kind of moments, is the halftime speech given by a high school football coach to motivate his team which had been beaten badly during the first half of the state championship. I rewound and watched the two and a half minute speech probably a dozen times that night. Then I found it on YouTube and watched it a dozen more.
I encourage you to watch that speech, and then come back and finish reading this post.
In the speech, the coach talks about his definition of being perfect. To the coach, perfection is about the relationship you have with yourself, your friends and your family. Perfection is being able to look those people in the eye and have them know that you’ve given it your absolute all. Obviously the context here is a football team, but it’s also applicable to almost any challenge in life such as your job, your marriage, and even your struggles with debt.
I thought about looking at myself in the mirror. Not from across the room, but up close and personal where I can clearly see the pupils of my own eyes. Can I look myself right in the eyes and know that I am doing everything I can to get our finances back on track. But even more than that, can I look my wife and my children in the eyes and have them know that there’s not one more thing I could be doing to build a better life for them? Could I look my friends at CareOne in the eye and have them know that I am making the very most of the opportunity they have given me through my debt management program?
As the high school coach put it, “Can you live in that moment?”
Furthermore, can you do it with love and joy in your heart?
If you can look your loved ones in the eye, and the people that you stand shoulder to shoulder with every day and have them know that you are giving every ounce of effort that you have in you. If you can give that effort willingly and joyfully not because you want to succeed, but because you love them so much that you cannot let them down.
If you can do that, then you’re perfect.
The coach then tells his players to look around. As they prepare to take the field for the second half, he asks the players to put each other in their hearts. He asks them to remember each other as they’re about to have an experience that will live in their hearts forever.
I obviously have my wife and my children etched into my heart, but through your comments and encouragement you have found a place there as well. With only a few months left in our debt management plan our forever is about to happen. Just like the coach, my heart is full.
Are you perfect?
Have you watched the TV series FNL? If not, you absolutely must. It’s my favorite TV show of all time (and Jana would agree) and I keep watching it over and over on Netflix. I digress. No, I don’t think I’m perfect by any means. I do the best I can in each moment and sometimes my best isn’t good enough. Whether that’s related to saving money or eating right or exercising. I don’t always give every ounce of effort. But sometimes I do. I guess it’s just what we humans do. 🙂
I’ve never watched the TV series, but I’ve always wanted to check it out…it’s on my “if I only had more time” list. I don’t know how realistic it is to even expect that we give 100% effort 100% of the time. Goes to show you just how imperfect we are….not only do we not give it our all, but even when we do we make mistakes. The most we can ask of ourselves is to give the best effort we have in us on any given day. Thanks for sharing your perspective, Tonya!
That’s a good speech! Now I have to watch the movie to see what happens in the second half. 🙂
And no, I’m not close to perfect, mostly. I think I have and can come close though when presented with certain challenges.
It’s a great movie, Kurt….and I don’t want to give away the ending so I’m just going to zip it. 🙂 You have an interesting perspective, and I think that I fall into that category too – rising to the occasion of a challenge to overcome it. Thanks for stopping by!
That’s a great speech– and highly inspirational. I am not yet perfect, but I have mentally mapped out how to get there!
Having a plan if the first step to success, Terry. I hope you find success on reaching your goals!
I am not perfect, but I embrace my imperfections; they make me who I am 🙂
I’m right there with you, Mackenzie….I know my limits. Then I push to change them! Thanks for reading!
Good post Travis! I am far from perfect, though I’m sure my wife would say that I claim to be at times. 😉 That said, it’s great when we can look back on situations and see how they’ve shaped and molded us and often times for the better. It has been some time since I’ve seen FNL, and this is an encouragement to watch it again.
Haha, wives are silly that way, huh? I can look back on the last 4 and a half years and see countless situations that have molded me into who I am today. It’s been an intense time in my life, and one that I won’t ever forget. It’s shown me just how much effort I have in me, even when I feel like quitting….there’s that extra gear that can kick in. I hope I can continue to tap that energy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, John!
Love that movie, Travis! You’re so right about that definition of perfect. Giving our all to those around us is true perfection, while the “typical” definition of perfection is only about “me”. The other road to perfection is so much more gratifying, wouldn’t you say?
I really like how you put the focus on others, as opposed to ourselves, Laurie. I’ve been walking this earth for close to 40 years, and that lesson is just now becoming very apparent. There is so much more meaning in giving…..and when you do it is returned back to you. Thank you so much for that perspective!
I haven’t watched a single episode of Friday Night Lights, but I have considered starting the series. That speech certainly is inspirational and forces you to pause and think about whether you are giving everything you got.
I thought about that speech today….and ran an extra mile. I have a goal to run the Twin Cities Marathon next year and qualify for Boston. But I’ve found that I’m much more motivated when I think of all the benefits my health will have on my family. 🙂
Great movie and quote Tony. Isn’t that why we do things, all for our family. When you’re debt free do you have anything special planned?
Exactly right, Charles…..I become more dedicated to my family every day. We don’t have anything concrete planned….but one thing that we’ve always said we would do is take a family vacation to the East Coast to visit DC and NYC to make up for the class trip we couldn’t afford to send our son on. After that….retirement catchup and college savings. 🙂
That’s quite motivational. I wish I meet people like this coach everyday of my life. It has inspired me to have a closer look at my competencies and aim for the best.
I’m glad you liked it, Musa….I love that speech, which is why I watched it dozens of times that night. I have it bookmarked so I can go back and watch it again each time I need a little motivation. Thanks for reading and commenting!