Once in a while a person touches our life with words and actions so special that they change us forever. These are the people who extend our vision and inspire us to higher levels of personal achievement. They are our heroes.
"Extraordinary achievements never fail to inspire us to raise our own sights and to color outside the lines. The celebration of heroes. . . is ultimately the celebration of our own potential," write Brown and Spizman. The authors spent more than a year interviewing athletes and other prominent figures, and researching ideas on courage, determination and success for A Hero In Every Heart. As their work progressed, they came to realize that the longing to be courageous and to contribute something great is an innate desire of everyone.
For, as Brown writes, " . . .regardless of where you find yourself on your lifes journey, you never travel alone. For there, in your own heart, is a hero of epic proportion, ready at a moments notice to join you in the grand struggle to seek and claim the ultimate prize--the satisfaction of a life of purpose, pursued with courage and passion."
A Hero In Every Heart contains inspiring stories of perseverance, courage and sacrifice from great sports champions such as Ralph Boston, Dan Jansen, Mary Lou Retton and Bonnie Blair, plus encouraging quotes from famous writers, philosophers and world figures. These uplifting thoughts include:
"My mission is to take the dis out of disability. . . It's taught me a lot about character and determination. "
--Al Mead, Paralympian Gold Medalist
"My wife and I have five children. To have their respect is the ultimate hall of fame. They see it all. They see how you treat each other. Getting and keeping their respect is what really matters. The question we must continually ask ourselves is, 'How do we get to where we want to go and still remain a hero to those we love?'"
--Roger Staubach, Former Dallas Cowboys Quarterback,
Pro-Football Hall of Fame
"One of my favorite sayings I got off a soda bottle: NO DEPOSIT, NO RETURN. To me that means you'll get out of life about what you're willing to put in. All champions have made great sacrifices to win their victories. So when someone talks to me about their goals and dreams, I ask them one question: 'What are you willing to do about it?'"
--John Naber, Olympic Four-time Gold Medalist, Swimming
"There are no free throws in life, even when you get fouled."
--Deborah Miller Palmore, Olympian, Basketball
"Nothing is changed by a mediocre performance."
"It doesn't take talent to hustle."
"You can't stuff a great life into a small dream."
"Dream big. There is little power in little plans."
"Those who turn back never reach the summit."
"Winners are like biscuits--When things heat up, they rise to the occasion."
"A brave heart is a powerful weapon."
"No victory is worth the sacrifice of ideals."
"The Two Rules of Perseverence:
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