Lessons I have Learned From Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan, in my eyes, is the best athlete to walk the planet. There are a few reasons why I believe, actually, why I say this with 100% conviction. I have taken some of his lessons that I have learned from watching him on the basketball court and I inserted them in my daily life.
Lesson one: we are only as good as the people around us. Michael Jordan's supporting cast was mediocre at best when they all started playing. You had Scottie Pippen, Bill Cartwright, BJ Armstrong, Horace Grant, Steve Kerr and Tony Kukoc as the supporting cast. None of these players were super stars, but that didn't matter to Michael. Michael had a true love for the game of basketball, a competitive spirit, and a desire to be the best player he could be. He respected his teammates, treated them with respect, and utilized them to his advantage as well as the team's advantage. They stepped up their game for one reason, Michael. They respected him and wanted to play hard for him. He brought out the best in his fellow teammates and together they went on to win six NBA championships.
I, myself, have learned that bringing out the best in the people around me, makes my life easier and happier. I work as a team with Mark, we have to, we have five kids, two dogs, and three cats. I work together with my friends to help others, and my sister to help with our family and children. I find when I pump my teammates up our relationships are much more rewarding and fulfilling. For if I chastised them, what would I get in return? I genuinely love my mates, they love me, and we are all at the top of our game in life.
Michael Jordan didn't take short cuts. He worked hard everyday for all he got. He was cut from his high school basketball team, but still perservered. Michael Jordan is proof that hard work, a good attitude, and willingness to sacrifice for your goal will get you to the winning side.
I, myself, work hard everyday at my writing, my children, and my relationships. I take nothing for granted, and I know that if I am diligent enough in my work, and believe in myself all my goals and dreams will come to fruition. Hard work is necessary for you to really enjoy the rewards that you will receive for your efforts.
Michael Jordan knew when to use the ego and when to put the ego away. This is a hard lesson to learn. Michael could have taken over every basketball game with his talents and expertise. But he didn't. He knew that if his ego got in the way it could ruin his team, for a team run by one man's ego is not a team, it is an entity all it's own. You cannot win championship's as a one man show. He knew when to let his ego and talents take over. That would be at the end of the fourth quarter with 23 seconds left and the game is tied. It is the Chicago Bull's ball. Scottie would inbound the ball to Michael, Michael would bring the ball down, dribble around for 20 seconds, shoot a fade away jump shot, and swish, Bull's win, Bull's win!
I know when my ego needs to get involved, and that is very little. The ego can be a dangerous beast living within us. If your ego takes over, you can plan on a life filled with misery, and you won't even know it until it is too late, because your ego won't allow you to see reality for what it is. Remember, you are not better than anyone, you don't deserve more than the next person, and we are all human beings created by God. I remind myself of that everyday.
The final lesson that I have learned from Michael Jordan is to smile. Michael's smile would light up an entire basketball court. Even if he was in Boston at the Garden, or in LA at the Staples Center, his smile was bright. Smile, it will brighten your day and the one's around you. Life is good!