If you don’t trust someone, then your interaction with them should reflect that lack of trust or knowledge of her. Yet, remember not to close yourself off by not getting the whole story. If you choose the right folks to be a part of your inner circle, life can be a beautiful thing.~Natalie Lue

It is important that the athlete have an inner circle of family and friends that he can truly trust. An athlete may need to delegate relocation, money, or other family issues, and those handling those matters need to have the athlete’s best interest at heart as well as follow his lead instead of following their own agenda.

For an athlete to consider anyone above reproach could be a fatal mistake. It is just as easy for a family member to steer the athlete wrong as Joe Smoe from down the street. And steering someone wrong does not lend itself to just financial decisions; it includes career direction, second career choices, physical conditioning, love, and just life decisions in general. Jack Johnson’s financial future was placed in jeopardy by his parents, Johnny Manziel’s career by his associates and friends, Maria Sharipova by her medical team, and the list goes on and on.

This pastweek, three UCLA basketball players were arrested in China for shoplifting. These players should have known better. . . . Whether it was peer pressure, a prank, a dare, or sheer greed, now these young men are facing up to 10 years in prison in China. Diplomats and other United States officials will now have to get involved to help resolve the issue. These young men risked their freedom, safety and future over sunglasses. The question begs on whether these young men had the proper people in their inner circle.

Teammates are teammates, but they cannot always be part of one’s inner circle. Sometimes after the game or practice, one has to divorce himself from the team to ensure a brighter future. The same goes for family and friends. One hopes their advice is in one’s best interest, but sometimes it isn’t. Sometimes, it comes from a place of manipulation or self-interest. As the writer of the blog, Baggage Reclaim, states:

Family doesn’t automatically qualify for being within your ‘inner circle’
unless you have the high degree of trust with each family member. You
can love a family member but they may be further out in your circle (you
trust them but you would be cautious over certain things or you just know
your limits) and… some family members may be out of the circle because
they repeatedly bust boundaries although they may feel that they’re
entitled to ‘inner circle’ status.

If you don’t trust someone, then your interaction with them should reflect that lack of trust or knowledge of her. Yet, remember not to close yourself off by not getting the whole story. If you choose the right folks to be a part of your inner circle, life can be a beautiful thing.

Photo Credit: ESPN

He gets it. LeBron James really does get it. Say what you may about some superstars making too much money (probably out of jealousy or naivete), but you just cannot say that about LeBron. God has blessed him with talent and riches, and James has used those blessings to bless those around him

For all the money LeBron James has made and continues to do so, James has invested back into the community. He has had camps, family programs, and so much more to give back to his hometown of Akron, Ohio. But now, James has left a permanent legacy for his hometown that shows his love of children and adults alike. . . . James, in conjunction with Akron Public Schools, has opened the I Promise School.

The school is public and promises to help adults earn their GED as well as provide lunch, bicycles, transportation for those living within 2 miles of the school, and tuition to the University of Akron for free. Yes, that is right . . . for free to at-risk students to even the playing field so they can pursue a better life.

Many argue who is the greatest NBA player to ever play. Well, today–at least considering both on and off the court–that would be LeBron James. Just like Muhammad Ali, James has won championships, been a humanitarian and a philanthropist. He has sealed his legacy as G.O.A.T.


Source: Michael Jackson