This earthly life is a battle,' said Ma. 'If it isn't one thing to contend with, it's another. It always has been so, and it always will be. The sooner you make up your mind to that, the better off you are, and more thankful for your pleasures.
I always told myself I was more than a football player, so every off season, I pushed myself to go outside the box and get a little bit better off the field. I dabbled in many business adventures to gain more real world experience.
Football should not be your source of identity. This one is important to me because I am much more than the player. My faith, my wife, my family, and the work I do off the field is paramount to feeling whole.
When I talk about the early years in Oakland, I don't want to take anything away from who that player was, because that player was still a heck of a player, that player was just young. I played off the field the same way that I played on the field.
I've always been strong physically and I think for a player what happens off the field is even more important.
I try to get better in every aspect of my life, not just on the football field. I am competitive, and I just want to always get better.
As a player, I'm going to do everything I can to help the organization as a whole. On the field, off the field, I'm going to do everything in my power.
You can be one guy off the field, but when you get on the field the competitive aspect of who you are takes over.
You have competition throughout your whole life, and it only makes you better. That competitive edge gives you extra motivation.
What you do affects your awareness field. When you do something selfless your attention feild is more clear, more lucid.
When you truly feel this equal love for all, when your heart has expanded so much that it embraces the whole of creation, you will certainly not feel like giving up this or that. You will simply drop off from secular life as a ripe fruit drops from the branch of a tree. You will feel that the whole world is your home.
I'm always thinking about the private battle, even in the field. I'm always trying to be better than the other person I'm against.
I've dedicated my life to competitive dancing, so I'd like to pass that on to others. You can't be half-hearted about competitive dancing, you have to be prepared to give your whole life over to it.
To be successful in anything, a person must always want to be better, not only than your opponent but better than your last performance. Done correctly, being competitive is a wonderful way to always try to be a better person by learning from your mistakes and capitalizing on your successes.
I've always believed fitness is an entry point to help you build that happier, healthier life. When your health is strong, you're capable of taking risks. You'll feel more confident to ask for the promotion. You'll have more energy to be a better mom. You'll feel more deserving of love.
You have teams on and off the field. You have your team off the field in terms of your family, friends, and people that you work with, and then you have your team on the field. You have to give to receive and be there for people and hope that they do the same for you.