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HOPE & LOVE ARE EVERYTHING.

Feb 10, 2022

Stephen Hawking is “amazing” in so many different ways. In the 1960s, when he is studying in college, he is told he has just two years to live. The movie, The Theory of Everything (watch the video highlights below) is the story of Stephen the physicist falling in love with Jane Wilde, the literature student, and she sticking by his side through thick and thin.

The story of love and the perseverance against adversity are the qualities and values of CHAMPIONS. Below is a beautiful quote from the film: “There should be no boundaries to human endeavor. However bad life may seem, while there is life, THERE IS HOPE.”

“I don’t look like a terribly strong person. But we’re going to FIGHT THIS TOGETHER.”

AS LONG AS THERE IS LIFE, THERE SHOULD & CAN BE HOPE & LOVE TOO! HOPE & LOVE ARE EVERYTHING!

In 1963 Hawking was diagnosed with an early onset form of motor neurons disease (ALS) that gradually over the decades paralyzed him. After the loss of his speech, he communicated through a speech generating device, eventually by using a single cheek muscle.

Hawking achieved commercial success with several works of popular science in which he discussed his theories and cosmology in general. His book, A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME, appeared on the Sunday Times bestseller list for a record-breaking 237 weeks.

Hawking was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the U.S.

He died on March 14, 2018 at the age of 76, after living with motor neurons disease for more than 50 years


James Anthony Abbott is a former MLB baseball pitcher. He is known for his success at the major league level despite having been born without a right hand. Abbott played 10 seasons in MLB for the Angels, Yankees, White Sox, & Brewers from 1989-1999.

As an athlete with a growth mindset, it is your responsibility to always remain hopeful and to:

  • Know your strengths and weaknesses;
  • Remember, it’s not about what you cannot do; IT’S ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN & WILL DO;
  • know that whatever limitations you may have that it does NOT define you and should NOT limit your dreams & expectations;
  • NEVER define your self-worth based on stereotypes of others;
  • NEVER blame others or make excuses;
  • take responsibility for your own growth and development – get better everyday;
  • have high self-esteem by understanding your own meaning and purpose; and
  • make positive contributions to your team by showing devotion & discipline and passion & purpose.

People with growth mindsets refuse to be labeled by “society” and do not view themselves based on others’ views. Even with a disability, that person determines their own self-value. Since I’ve gotten the “trach” and “speaking valve”, I’ve had to respond to labels and people doubting my abilities too. Like Hawking & Abbott, I never defined myself by what I cannot do; I see myself not as just my “body” but more importantly, MY MIND and my thoughts and my ideas and my dreams.

It is important, especially in athletics, that a player never “self-limits” themselves based upon labels from others. It is important to recognize that you are not defined by what you CANNOT DO BUT RATHER WHAT YOU CAN & WILL DO. BETCHA CAN!

CHAMPIONS, WINNERS, & competitors with a growth mindset do not view themselves as “victims” and thus never blame others for their situations. INSTEAD, THEY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN HAPPINESS & future successes. They are ALWAYS HOPEFUL.

Here is a guy (Hawking) who cannot walk, who cannot speak, who cannot move independently, but somehow STILL FOUND A WAY!

“I have been very lucky that my disability has not been a serious handicap, indeed it has probably given me more time than most people to pursue the quest for knowledge”.

“However difficult life may seem there is always something you can do and succeed at”.

“It matters that you just don’t give up”.

President Barack Obama presented Stephen Hawking with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on August 12, 2009. Stephen Hawking had an IQ of 160 (same as Albert Einstein).

What Hawking overcame, and what he went on to accomplish is beyond extraordinary and completely inspiring. His refusal to give up on his intellectual pursuits despite his physical health condition is the personification of MIND OVER BODY and grit and persistence.”

Lessons of “HOPE” from his extraordinary life and achievements that should inspire us are:

  • HOPE: however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at;
  • Use technology as best you can to gain a competitive edge, or to overcome a shortcoming;
  • Refuse to let labels and stereotypes halt your dreams;
  • DO NOT REGRET THE THINGS you cannot do, focus on what you can & will do;
  • DON’T EVER BE DISABLED IN SPIRIT NOR MIND;
  • Remain intellectually and insatiably curious;
  • BELIEVE IN YOU;
  • NEVER lose your sense of humor,
  • ALWAYS stand by your values and principles.
  • NEVER GIVE UP. It’s no good getting furious if you get stuck. KEEP thinking about the problem but keep working on something else too.
  • If you are lucky enough to find love and be loved and shown love, have a grateful heart for others.
  • HOPE & LOVE ARE EVERYTHING!



THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING YOU CAN DO & SUCCEED AT.

LOOK UP AT THE STARS!

LOVE AND HOPE ARE EVERYTHING!

There is ALWAYS HOPE, especially when you are surrounded by LOVE!

PURSUE EXCELLENCE & WIN THIS PITCH!


About the Author

Mike Lotief coached 17 successful years as either the head softball coach or co-head softball coach with his wife Stefni Whitton Lotief at the University of Louisiana from 2002-2017 with an overall coaching record of 731-176 (80.6 winning percentage). Every season, the Ragin Cajuns softball team advanced to the NCAA tournament and also advanced to three (3) Women’s College World Series (2003, 2008, 2014) and from 2012-2016 advanced to five (5) straight NCAA Super Regionals. Coach Lotief produced over 40 All American selections and his 2017 team lead the nation in scoring and was ranked in the Top 10 in home runs, slugging percentage, on base percentage.

The coach is a cancer survivor (twice) and was the first person in the U.S. to receive the Pro Trach device. Mike and Stefni spearheaded and raised the funding to build the new softball stadium in 2009 and the new softball indoor hitting facility in 2015. They are proud parents to Chelsea, who played softball and graduated from the Univ. of Louisiana in 2018, and Andrew, who is a junior at Louisiana studying Mechanical Engineering.

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