As we reflect on President’s Day, what does Jeremy Lin have in common with a number of our greatest presidents? Jeremy Lin, NBA basketball player for the New York Knicks, has become an “overnight sensation.”
In this age of highly recruited and sought after stars, Jeremy Lin is an anomaly. He was not highly recruited after high school, nor was he a top NBA draft pick. He sat on the bench for the first part of this season. Upon becoming a starter he led the NY Knicks to a six-game winning streak, hitting a number of game-winning shots.
Lin is in the company of a number of others who have been rejected, not been given a chance out of the gates or started out unsuccessfully.
Presidents Lincoln, FDR, Truman and Eisenhower were turned down or told no many times. Despite the rejections and losses, they all still succeeded beyond their dreams.
It is easy for us to get down on ourselves when faced with loss or rejection. That said, if we persevere, believe in ourselves and possibilities, focus on positive self-talk and do not let circumstances define us, the unimaginable can occur.
Jeremy Lin is a recent reminder that a winning attitude and determined effort can make all the difference.