posted on Tuesday, December 8, 2020
All the Way with PMA - Positive Mental Attitude
“Baseball is ninety percent mental, the other half is physical.”
Yogi Berra was known for his quotes and many of them are just good-old common sense. His wording was usually a little off-beat, which made us think before really understanding the meaning of his message. In this case, while his math was not accurate, he was trying to point out the importance of a positive mental attitude.
This trait is a big part of success for all of us in athletics, academics and life in general. Coach Thomas was a great believer in a positive mental attitude, and he lived that as a teacher and coach. Many of the interviews and stories from the parkersburg tornado really prove that he understood the value of a positive mental attitude.
I do not remember ever seeing a negative attitude in Coach Thomas. Like all of us, I’m sure he had his own “bad days.” Even so, he was always leading by example. He was continually looking forward to the next game or season with high expectations. He truly believed things would go well if everyone worked hard and paid the price.
Right now we are going through some difficult times, and it may be more important to have a positive mental attitude than ever before. These times challenge our true character. Can you have a positive mental attitude when there are tough situations in your life? Being positive will not guarantee success, but a negative attitude will surely hold you back and limit your chances for success.
This was a verse that my mom had marked in her bible. It’s a lesson for a positive mental attitude.
Ephesians 4:29, NIV:
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is
helpful for building others up according to their needs…”
Challenge:
Show a positive mental attitude in everything you do and say. To start this process, say something positive to your teammates daily.
All the way with PMA.
Respectfully,
Neil Phipps & the Ed Thomas Family Foundation
This post is written by Neil Phipps. Neil taught and coached for 39 years, and worked with Coach Thomas at football camps, football clinics, on the Iowa Football Coaches Association Board of Directors, and as a coach in the Shrine Game. Neil and his family are also close friends to the Thomas and Kerns families.