Are you a soccer fan?  I am.  It began sometime after our 4 year old son began playing organized soccer.  This happened in the State of Texas and there weren’t many parents around that knew anything about the game, much less that had ever played it.  I was unqualified on both grounds, but a coach for the kids was needed.

Over the years, I collected two official coaching licenses and became a true fan.  One thing I find “uncomfortable” about the game is the super celebrations that happen after a goal is scored.  Dancing NFL players with pre-planned demonstrations have nothing on a soccer player in after goal mode.

During the World Cup which is currently on display from Brazil, I’ve seen a scorer pop the ball under his jersey as if pregnant, another do a full running flip and a poor fellow dog-piled by his entire team, including the bench!  In fact, soccer players are encouraged to celebrate, I suppose because it is so difficult to score a goal in the first place.

Even so, I remember the quote from Darrell Royal, legendary football coach at the University of Texas.  During a game after one of his players scored a touchdown and broke into celebration, Coach Royal told the young fellow, “When you get into the End Zone, act like you’ve been there before”.  Certainly, in most contexts, this is wise advice.  After all, what patient would be delighted to see his surgeon tumble into the hospital recovery room exclaiming, “I did it, I did, I finally got the procedure done like it was supposed to be!  Yeehaw!”  Better than the opposite conclusion, I guess, but not confidence inspiring.

My dear East Texas country boy Daddy used to say, “Son, it ain’t bragging if you done it”.  True enough, but folks full of themselves over their accomplishments surely are annoying, right?  Those that have found the End Zone, and are on a self-congratulatory romp, are simply irritating.

One of the most endearing and respected qualities in a human being is Humility.  The dictionary defines Humility as “a modest or low view of one’s own importance; humbleness”.  I believe it has the additional component of an understanding that success is a blessing, not entirely made through our individual efforts.  Winning big usually requires some luck and help from others.  Remember that and I believe humility will be the natural response to hard earned success.

My advice is that even if you haven’t, act like you have been there before.

Credits:  Thanks to ABC Australia  for the photo of the strange soccer goal celebration.