Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Basketball - "Always Be a Beginner"

No shame accompanies beginners. This article by Shunryu Suzuki discusses "beginner's mind."

There's power and majesty in 'firsts'. Think back to your first time on a bicycle, first day of school, first time walking up the ramp to a major league ballpark. Firsts last. 

Beginning inspires excitement, wonder, and curiosity. "Can I ever be good at this?"

Suzuki writes, "In the beginner’s mind there is no thought “I have attained something.” All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind. When we have no thought of achievement, no thought of self, we are true beginners. Then we can really learn something."

Even as 'elders', we can experience "beginner's mind" when hearing a lecture about yoga, reading Tolstoy, rereading The Old Man and the Sea, or watching a child's first steps.

Sadness comes from shaming another person's best, whether they are beginners, have an impairment, or just because they don't meet our distorted 'standard of perfection'. Our best efforts go awry and yet we choose how to carry on - our attitude, choices, and effort. 


Beginner's mind implies freshness. Approach preparation, running a practice, going to work with the same anticipation as we did as beginners. Think back to a 'tryout' for your first team or your last. "Every day is Showtime." 

Help others find 'beginners mind'. 

Lagniappe. Modernize. 

Lagniappe 2. Stay relentless. 

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