Happy 70th Ali!

Muhammad Ali turns 70 today. Whether you are a fan or not you have to admit that he was a great athlete and stellar boxer. Thinking about him sends me back to my youthful years when things seemed a bit simpler. In honor of the day I give you a few thoughtful quotes from the man ...

He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.

The man who has no imagination has no wings.

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.

No one knows what to say in the loser's locker room.

It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe.

Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even.

Friendship... is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.

If they can make penicillin out of mouldy bread, they can sure make something out of you.

A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.

Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong.

I hated every minute of training, but I said, "Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion."


7 comments:

  1. What a great post. I'm going to share it on FB. Hope you are having a great day!

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  2. I got to meet Muhammad Ali in 1992 when I worked at the Dallas Morning News. We all heard he was coming in for an interview and many greeted him in the lobby. He gave me an autographed copy of Understanding Islam and the Muslims. It says, "To Eddie from Muhammad Ali 4-9-92" and he drew a shaky circle around it. He couldn't even open his briefcase that held several copies of this pamphlet...one of his body guards had to open it for him. It was sad to see this great boxer (who I believe in his prime could not be beaten by anyone) shake so bad he barely could write. I have a photo from that day. You can't help but love the guy. Everyone was giving him hugs - men and women.
    Little did I know that I would be living in a Muslim country years later.

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    1. What a great story Eddie! That sounds like a great book to read - especially if you are traveling or living in the Middle East. Did you read it? If so what one thing stood out to you?

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  3. I've read bits and pieces. The pamphlet answers a lot of common questions about Islamic beliefs and practices. I quote...

    "Can a Muslim have more than one wife? ...Circumstances may warrant the taking of another wife but the right is granted, according to the Quran, only on condition that the husband is scrupulously fair."

    Is Islamic marriage like Christian marriage? A Muslim marriage is not a 'sacrament', but a simple, legal agreement in which either partner is free to include conditions..."

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    1. That is fascinating Eddie! I image US Law would supersede Islamic traditions when it comes to polygamy.

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  4. I remember when I thought he was "just another boxer", ha! Much more to the man than that. I guess Jeopardy was celebrating his 70th last night they had a category on him and I got all but one right :)

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