Sports challenge us to face the internal fears of competition, and the outward adversity of opposition draws out a deep river of spiritual adrenaline that translates into other arenas of our lives.

Influence is a currency. Influence may be one of man’s most valuable skills. Solomon said, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”

We should approach giving financially as a farmer approaches sowing seed. Farmers do not reluctantly sow seed, nor do they flippantly scatter the seed. They are careful to sow the precious commodity into good soil.

Most men want excellent lives with an 80 percent effort. You will never gain the inertia of excellence without doing all that you can to do things better. Excellence requires the extra 20 percent effort.

Anger digs deep into the soul of man. It can draw out buried emotion from years past in an instant. It is very important that we distinguish the different types of anger and extinguish the harmful emotions.