It's All In The State Of Mind

While cleaning out my closet today, I came across a little slip of paper with a "poem" on it that has molded my life. My band director used to read it before each football game and each competition we went into. This attitude has stuck with me over the years and reading it now, I have to wonder just how much hearing this so much has made me into the person I am today.

Mr. Steve Van Winkle passed away my sophmore year of college, but I think of him often and am grateful for the things like this that sneak back on me and remind me of the adults that had such a huge inpact. Bless you, Grover. Bless you.

IT'S ALL IN THE STATE OF MIND

If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't;
If you think you'd like to win, but you can't,
It's almost a "cinch" you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you've lost;
For out in the world you'll find
Success begins with a fellow's will
It's all in the state of mind.

Full many a race is lost
Ere even a race is run,
And many a coward fails
Ere even his work's begun.
Think big and your deeds will grow;
Think small and you fall behind
Think that you can and you will;
It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are;
You've got to think high to rise;
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life's battle doesn't always go
To the strongest or fastest man;
But sooner or later, the man who wins
Is the fellow who thinks he can.

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