Mental Fitness for Good Health

Lloyd Carr Retires

Julian H. Gonzalez of the Detroit Free Press took this picture of Lloyd Carr leaving the University of Michigan Stadium as coach for the last time.

How will Coach Carr be remembered?

Will he be remembered as the coach who has dedicated 28 years of his life and 13 years as head Coach to the University? 

Will he be remembered as a man of inner strength, high moral character, and a passion for football?

Will he be remembered as the Coach who brought a national championship to Ann Arbor and numerous Big 10 championships? 

Will he be remembered as the Coach who influenced the lives of so many men and helped develop character, passion and commitment for living life, even when circumstances are bleak?

Or will he be remembered, because of his losses to Ohio State and their coach, Tressel? 

From a mental fitness perspective, it is liberating and empowering to evaluate ourselves by what we do and not by what we don’t to! 

From a mental fitness perspective, it is important to evaluate ourselves on the basis of our values, motivations, actions, feelings, and accomplishments rather than on the basis of whether we win or lose a particular game or series of games!

We can’t win all of the games and lessons of life.  However, we can learn to maintain our identity, positive attitude, and confidence in ourselves, while living our lives and coping with adversity.

I like this Lloyd Carr quote:

"You’re probably going to lose a lot of games the next few years. And my advice to you is when you lose, don’t make excuses, don’t blame your coaches or teammates or the officials. Just play every day as hard as you can. And regardless of what the outcome of those games are, you keep your head high. Because if you’re doing everything you can to the best of your ability, you have nothing — nothing — to be embarrassed about."

Mitch Albom presented this quote in his article, There May Never Be Another like Carr at U of M.

I can’t say that I always was happy with Lloyd Carr’s philosophy of football, game plans or playcalling, because sometimes I was stunned by what I saw on the football field.  However, I do very much respect Lloyd Carr’s greater vision than winning and losing.  Lloyd Carr will be missed as coach.

I hope Lloyd Carr will be remembered for what he has done and not for what he has not done.  I hope he will be remembered for who he is and not for who he wasn’t. 

Remember, We Live within the Environment Created by Your Choices!

Dr. Hal

Life and Mental Fitness Coach

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