C A R D I A C    K I D S

 1.  Sacrifice:  A wrestler sacrifices much.  He not only sacrifices to achieve personal goals, he frequently sacrifices even those personal goals for a larger goal:  The of the the team.  This ability translates well to life, as we must often sacrifice our personal goals for a greater good.

 

2. Desire - A wrestler's desire is manifested in his ability to work harder to get better. A wrestler realizes that you only get better by wrestling those better than you. The desire to improve may result in defeat and even great humiliation at times, but the true wrestler always keeps his eyes on the prize. That prize, ironically, is not a tangible thing like a medal or even a championship. The prize is a lifetime of constant examination and improvement.  This life trait is extremely important and has been recognized by no less an authority than Socrates. 

 

3.  Tenacity - When lesser athletes falter and accept defeat, the wrestler abides by the adage that says, "You never fail until you STOP trying."  History is replete with successful people whose early lives were riddled by failure

and disappointment.

 

4.  Intensity - The best wrestlers harness the often destructive power called intensity and, by focusing on their goal, convert it to positive ends.  The ability to focus for positive ends is critical in life.

 

5.  Humility - The true wrestler exults in victory for a very short time, and never boasts about his prowess. His celebrations (mostly internal) are tempered with the knowledge that somewhere out there is another wrestler who can--and will-

-beat him someday.  The Desiderata tells us "There will always be greater and lesser persons than

yourself."

 

6.  Dignity - A true wrestler is also gracious, sportsmanlike and gentlemanly in defeat. He does not demean, diminish or deflate the victory of his opponent. He simply resolves quietly to improve himself so that he can avoid this unpleasant

feeling of loss in the future.  Defeat is not failure; refusing to learn from it is.

 

7.  Honor - The honorable wrestler does not cut corners to become the best, nor does he engage in practices that are illegal

or even unethical. A true wrestler would never accept a victory he didn't earn fair and square. He is the quintessence of the

"Honorable Warrior".  Success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration.

 

8. Sportsmanship - An honorable wrestler does not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct at any time. He is ever cognizant that

he represents the noblest sport known to man, and he often tolerates unsportsmanlike behavior from others with aplomb.

Life lesson: If every man swept his own stoop, the whole neighborhood would be cleaner.

 

9. Courage - A wrestler, from Rec leagues to the Olympics, displays the highest level of courage for stepping onto the mat,

knowing that two men enter and only one leaves victorious.  Overcoming obstacles is begun by facing them.

 

10.  Self-reliance - A wrestler knows that his own skill and training will bring him victory or defeat. None but he can assume the blame for his defeat, nor take credit for his victory.  Perhaps the most important character traits in life!