Chicago Cubs Make World Series! | Tom Ford – America Has ‘Dumbed Down’ | Surviving 43 Years Solitary Confinement – Legends Report

By Jatinder Singh, Associate Partner & Mentorship Coach, Lighthouse International

The Chicago Cubs baseball team have made it to baseball’s biggest tournament, the World Series, having waited 71 years since the last time they appeared in it. The team beat the LA Dodgers on Sunday in Chicago. Their wait has been so long, that the club has even been subject to claims they were cursed, which was even referenced in the Back To The Future Films! Here are some quotes from the fans at the game:

“My grandpa’s been alive for so long, and he’s never experienced this.” – Adam Lewickas 

“You’ve seen tears here tonight… You’ve seen people just so emotional about it.” – Anthony Madrano

 “The reaction was visceral, the elation indescribable and the relief undeniable, as a crowd of 42,386 fans unleashed 71 years’ worth of frustration and disappointment.” – Journalist David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune

While appearing light hearted, this story has some powerful lessons. Once again it shows the power of sport to bring people together and share a collective bond through the pursuit of a common goal. It also shows the power of tenacity to keep on going. After having waited for so long, it would have been easy to allow negative thoughts of past failures to come in, instead, the team rose to the occasion. Here’s a great tweet from one of their players Anthony Rizzo, showing that getting to the finals isn’t enough. They want to win the tournament with four games remaining.

Last night wasn’t a dream but our ultimate goal is a WS ring. 4 more to go. We got this. #FlyTheW #WorldSeriesBound pic.twitter.com/ERUA3vRK3r

— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) October 23, 2016

To read more on this story click here…

By Asif Valiji, Mentorship Coach, Lighthouse International

In a recent interview with Sky News, fashion designer and film director Tom Ford has said that Donald Trump’s position as U.S. presidential candidate is proof America has “dumbed down”. He commented:

“I do have to say the simple fact that Donald Trump has got as far as he has is proof of the fact that our culture has dumbed down… the man often can’t even use English correctly, and lies, and says things that are so shocking… There was a time when any of the things he says would have killed a politician’s chances. It’s absurd. What we’re going to do about it I don’t know – but it is a wake-up call, and it’s very upsetting.”

The comments come from Mr Ford who admits he’s someone now looking for more substance in his life, having personally known the trappings of fame, wealth, materialism and consumer culture. He is expressing a concern that American’s are dropping their standards for their leaders as they become more obsessed with reality TV and public celebrity battles on social media. It can certainly be said that Mr Trumps support is only a reflection of where people are. When we see such reflections of ourselves, the question ultimately becomes, are we willing to raise our standards?

By Kris Deichler, Associate Partner & Mentorship Coach, Lighthouse International

Albert Woodfox was released in February from the infamous Angola prison, or Louisiana State Penitentiary, USA, after 45 years incarceration. 43 of these were spent in solitary confinement. His  conditions many argue were inhumane, unjust and unlawful. A member of the Angola Three, he was recently interviewed by the Guardian and shared his story of persistent injustices and incredibly harsh treatment; including sometimes 6 strip and cavity searches per day, denied attendance to his sister and mother’s funerals and spending 23 hours a day locked into an 9ft by 6ft cell.

Mr Woodfox’s incarceration was based on his highly dubious conviction for murdering a prison guard in 1971. His story is an incredible account of how his mental discipline and commitment to personal principles and values helped him to, not only survive, but also to keep his mind. To quote the Guardian:

“They taught themselves criminal law and civil law and committed themselves to fighting for their own and others’ causes. “From my mom,” Woodfox also says, “I inherited values and principles that I was able to use: loyalty and devotion, education and discipline. I was able to self-educate, to define who I was.” How did he get the books? “In prison there’s always a black market system.”

Whilst an extreme case, Mr Woodfox not only shows the resilience we are capable of as human beings but how important and valuable self-discipline is to help us through such situations. It also highlights how we are capable of change as Mr Woodfox wants to use his experience to help create positive change in society. Beyond this, it raises and brings into question the level of accountability we hold for those in power administering our ‘justice’, how we choose to treat those who have done wrong in our society and what that treatment says of us all. Read the whole fascinating story here…

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