SWENSDAY STUFF

Excuses
Swen Nater

The story goes that when Coach Wooden returned from the 1962 NCAA Final Four, losing to Cincinnati in the semifinals 72-70, he realized, in spite of not having a suitable arena to practice and play games in, he had enough to win it all. Up to that point, by his own admission, he had used his sub-par facilities as an excuse. However, after that season, he trashed all justification and began to plan for championships.

When he told me that story, it motivated me to take inventory of my own thinking. It has made a difference. I hope it will for you as well. Sometimes, when I come across a concept this powerful, I write it down so I can remember it better. Often, I write it down in the form of a poem.

Excuseville
Swen Nater

On the road to the top of the mountain,
At the base of the very last hill,
There’s a pleasing and well-traveled exit,
For the faint with a weakening will.

For the last stretch is steep and is daunting,
And for most, it’s just too much to bear.
And those with the best of intentions,
Turn right and then settle down there.

And together they built a calm city.
And they talk of things like “could have.”
And they find consolation in “but” and in “if,”
“Not possible” and, yes of course, “would have.”

There’s a sign up ahead by the highway,
“Excuseville: A Sweet-Dreaming Town.”
You’ve done well; you can stop.
It’s too far to the top.
Take the exit and just settle down.