Turn The Silver Lining Gold

As the high school wrestling season quickly approaches, we at Victory School of Wrestling are focusing on thinking positively. One of the most powerful tools in athletics is the mind. Our mind determines our approach and orchestrates our abilities (and limits to our abilities). Of course, abilities have physical limitations, but success has many different measuring sticks and we need determine what makes us most successful. That's when a positive outlook becomes important.

In 1634, John Milton wrote a series of poems and short stories in a book that is referred to as Comus. In one story he outlines the heartache that he experienced during a forbidden love relationship. He said, "Was I deciev'd, or did a sable cloud turn forth her silver lining on the night?" Here, the famous slogan "silver lining" was coined. In every situation, even if devastating, there is something positive that can come from it.

With a positive attitude, we should always be able to find the silver lining. The silver lining provides opportunity in every difficulty. We can look at each situation and find something good in it. This is key to achieving success in athletics and in life. Positive attitudes force us to look at the good is all things.

Some view disappointments as a prelude to failure while others view disappointments as stepping stones to success. Most major achievements are born out of failure and disappointments. This is only possible with a positive attitude coming from thinking positively.

"Positive thinking won't let you do anything but it will let you do everything better than negative thinking will." ~ Zig Ziglar. Think about it, positive thinking guarantees you nothing, but you will surely do better with positive thinking than with the contrary.

When God allows us to see the Light, what we discover is that the whole world is in darkness. However, the Holy Spirit gives us a lens to see the good in people and situations. He allows us to find the silver lining.

If we operate with positive thinking and live our lives to a higher standard (gold standard), we can take the lyrics from a popular Rilo Kiley song and apply them directly to our lives. Lead singer Jenny Lewis sings, "I'm your silver lining...but now I'm gold."

Find the silver lining and turn it gold.