Life, Love, & Teamwork

Life is a team sport. It’s not all about you. It’s about opening yourself up to being a channel for something much greater. The great irony is that’s where you’ll discover your truest self.

Great musicianship is less about displays of virtuosity than it is about listening. The best musicians love to play with other musicians who listen to what the whole band is doing and who play what is needed to support that.

One of the most gifted athletes ever to play the game of football was dropped by his team not because he wasn’t a great player, but because he wasn’t a good teammate. He failed to understand how his behavior negatively affected others, especially his habit of placing blame. There’s a difference between “telling it like it is” and creating a positive energy field through mutual support.
—Lee Liebner

Banish the “Seven Deadly Habits: criticizing, blaming, complaining, nagging, threatening, punishing and bribing or rewarding to control,” which are known relationship killers. Replace them with the “Seven Caring Habits: listening, supporting, encouraging, respecting, trusting, accepting, and always negotiating disagreements” if you truly want to help your partner.
—William Glasser

The secret to a happy, healthy relationship? Instead of complaining about what you don’t like, just ask nicely for what you’d like to see. Since we get more of whatever we focus on, why vent about the past when you could be creating a compelling vision of a positive future?

What is love? Love is not about how I feel. It’s about helping my beloved feel free to be herself. To love is to create an environment where the other can unfold, blossom and flourish, becoming the person she feels God is calling her to be.
—Lee Liebner

Love is a commitment to act lovingly even when—and especially when—you don’t feel like it.
—Gregory Popcak