Activities Department Update
Week of August 4-8
From Block to David
In the beautiful city of Florence, Italy, a massive block of marble laid in a courtyard. It was ugly, cracked, and no artist or architect dared touch the thing because they knew they would fail because the quality wasn't good enough. For 40 years, that blocked stayed in the same place.
In 1501, a young artist named Michelangelo (not the ninja turtle) envisioned something beautiful in that ruined block of marble. "David is already in there, I just have to set him free." His friends and fellow sculptors tried convincing him that it was futile and he would fail miserably, staining his reputation. Michelangelo did not listen to the doubters, he stuck to his vision and trusted his talents, and he did not fear failure. For two years, he chipped away in steady, deliberate strikes. If he hit the block too hard, the giant cracks would crumble the entire block. If he messed up a single detail, there was no redo. He persevered and out came one of the greatest masterpieces in human history. Michelangelo went on to sculpt a plethora of world famous statues, paintings, and of course, the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
When teams or athletes venture out to accomplish something great, the doubters always show up. They'll say you're not good enough. That others are better. That it's too hard. Remember, nothing worth doing ever came easy. As we begin our school year and athletic seasons, let's set our visions and expectations high. Silence the doubters and the self doubt that creeps into your mind. Commit to the process. Work through the pain, and earn our place among the top in the state. Why? Because inside that metaphorical block of marble- the grind, the conditioning, the hours of work, the setbacks- is something beautiful. The feeling of holding your head high and a state banner even higher. Like Michelangelo and his David, your hard work and determination can create something unforgettable. And when that happens, a habit is created, and you will settle for nothing less than greatness.
Central Lee, it's time we pick up the chisel and hammer and start making something great happen at Central Lee! Leave the doubt at the door. Forget the haters. Work hard. Do not fear failure. Work together and have a great year!
