|
"Beware the self-confidence killer, Comparison" |
||
|
A
samurai, a very proud warrior, came to see a Zen Master one day. The
samurai was quite famous and had won many battles. He was known throughout
his country as one of the bravest, most skilled warriors alive. As he
walked into the Zen Master's humble home his eyes immediately were drawn
to the Master. As he gazed upon the old man's beauty and the air of
tranquility surrounding him, the great warrior suddenly began to feel
inferior. He
said to the Master, "Why do I feel so small with you? Why do I feel
so badly about myself? Just a moment ago I felt fine. I was a great
warrior. I was sure of myself. As I entered your home, suddenly I felt
inferior. I have never felt like that before. I have faced death many
times, and I have never felt any fear -- why am I now feeling
frightened?" |
||
|
The
Master said, "Wait my son. When everyone else has gone, I will answer
you. " People continued to come and see the Master the entire day,
and the great Samurai, as patient a man as he was, began to get more ad
more tired waiting. By evening the Zen Master's home was finally empty,
and the Samurai said, "Now, can you answer me?" The Master said,
"Come outside." It
had turned evening and the moon was full. Its' bright white shape was just
beginning to rise on the horizon. Under the moonlight the Master, pointing
to two trees over by the side of his garden said, "Look at these
trees. This tree is high in the sky and reaches for the stars while this
one beside it is quite small. Both these trees have existed side by side
beneath my window for years, and yet there has never been any problem. The
smaller tree has never said to the big tree, 'Why do I feel inferior
before you?' This tree is small, and that tree is big -- why have I never
heard a whisper of it?" |
||
|
The
samurai said, "Because they do not compare." The
Master replied, "Then you need not ask me. You know the answer my
son." In our role as football coaches, we deal with the samurai in every coaching session and every game. Not all of us would profess to being a Zen master, but by openly, honestly and appropriately explaining to players the reasons for our decisions, that all important self-confidence can be maintained and perhaps even enhanced |
||
|
|
|
|