Proving Yourself

I often wonder what it is that I really have to prove. As I was watching the NBA playoffs the other night, I noticed something: just about every time a good play was made, or a foul was called, players would react to each other as if they had something to prove. Now, as someone who played basketball for many years and had my fair share of success, I remember the sense of adrenaline that would occur as the game was being played. I remember the feeling of pride when making a shot or stopping the other team from scoring. But it just occurred to me last night, what is there really to prove?

I guess this thought is so relevant now because when I look at our society, I unfortunately see many people living their lives with the motive of proving. Proving to someone else that they can succeed. Proving to someone else that they aren’t a failure. Proving someone else wrong! Yet I still ask the question: what is it that I really have to prove? Which leads me to another question: Is proving someone wrong or right really a healthy motive for living? Really?

I’m reminded of the great basketball coaching legend, John Wooden. Coach Wooden’s mantra when preparing his team to play was simple: he didn’t care about his opponent. All he cared about was making sure his team would perform at their best. Coach Wooden knew that at the end of the day it wasn’t his teams opponent they would have to wrestle with in their mind. No, it was their own thoughts, actions and performance. I believe this is a great analogy to life. At the end of the day I don’t have to worry about what someone else thinks of me or if I’ve proved something to someone. No, when I lay down at night I should be satisfied for one reason and one reason alone: Simply that I did my best to live today to it’s fullest. When I live my life to it’s optimum level, there will be nothing I will need to prove. My life will speak for itself.