I wake up everyday inspired because I feel I am one of the luckiest persons around to be able to teach children and youth every week to have confidence in themselves, but more important we have so much fun on the courts and I get to see many of the kids grow up before my eyes. They are fabulous kids who have come year after year and are turning into such remarkable human beings. The new participants are also amazing, and the  pros and volunteers so positive to work with. I feel the whole environment breeds success and I am so proud and thankful to all the participants, volunteers, pros and families who bring their kids each week to the courts. I feel in the spring when I see everyone again I am coming home to a remarkable place that brings me so much peace and happiness. Thank-you to everyone and I look so forward to another great year!

While watching the US Republican primaries I became fascinated by a very quiet, well spoken, kind republican candidate by the name of Ben Carson who was a doctor. I wanted to know about this great person so I found an autobiography on him and even became more fascinated by what I read.
He grew up in an inner city area, with a single Mom who had no money. What the mother taught him was the importance of reading, which he did often. He went through great odds to become one of the top neurosurgeons in the world.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to be inspired. Gifted Hands - the true story of a boy who went from the back of the class to brilliant pediatric neurosurgeon. 
The last chapter is called Thinking Big and this is what Ben Carson's advice is:
T - Talent  God gives to every individual. What have I done well so far, what subjects am I good in, what do I think is fun to do that my friends think is work.
H - honesty
I - insight Listening to people who have already been where you are trying to go. My mother worked in wealthy families and noticed what they read, the kinds of activities they chose - and she noticed they didn't watch much TV.
N - nice Be nice to people being nice is contagious
K - Knowledge - makes you into a valuable person I own a big house, drive nice cars, but more importantly silver and gold rubies aren't important. It's far more valuable to develop your God given talents so you can be a blessing to those around you.
B - books an invaluable resource for obtaining success
I - in depth learning learning for the sake of knowledge and understanding as opposed to superficial learning where you cram.
G - God Living a life of service by developing our God given talents so we might be of value to people around us.
Truly an inspirational story that makes me strive to reach more kids through our amazing programming. Everyone I feel has the potential to do some good. They also have the potential to become whatever they wish for themselves with hard work. That is why we do what we do.