THE FEAR OF BELONGING TO YOUR DREAMS
Anyone who has been involved with competitive basketball in high school or college knows full well by the end of February and/or beginning of March you are talking, "It's Tournament Time". It is time most players and their teammates see an opportunity to redeem themselves in a big way because the regular season hadn't gone as planned or if the year has come off well, a chance to prove it all hasn't been a fluke.
I have never talked with a basketball player that didn't feel that way and if you are seeking redemption in playing a sport, basketball is your best choice. It's the underdog's sport and that is why March Madness is so popular year after year. It is rather disappointing if a 10th seed doesn't make it to the Final Four. My own high school experience with it is incredible.
The 1974-75 Academic Year in the United States was when Title IX first took effect, so Bozeman (Montana) Senior High School fielded its first Girls Basketball team. It was also my freshman year in high school and I played for the Bozeman Junior High School Warriors.
At the time in Montana it was technically illegal for us to practice on Sunday or play with the Girls. We did both. Our Coaches wanted us to play as much basketball as humanly possible so our skills would sharpen.
The Warriors hosted an Invitational Tournament at the end of the season. In the Championship Game, I experienced probably my best moment as a player. Coach John Marks called my number and I sunk the tying basket with four seconds left. We went on to defeat archrival Butte in overtime averting what would have been a very embarrassing loss.
To demonstrate what I was talking about earlier concerning basketball being the underdog's sport, that same "Tournament Time" in 1975, the University of Montana Grizzlies nearly beat John Wooden's last team at UCLA (64-67) in a "Sweet 16" game in Portland. The Bruins defeated the Kentucky Wildcats for Coach Wooden's 10th National Championship 92-85 11 days later.
Jud would move onto Michigan State University in 1976 and there he would discover a local product named Earvin "Magic" Johnson. They would win the 1979 National Championship game against Larry Bird and Indiana State, 75-64. The game had the highest Nielsen TV ratings of any game in the history of American basketball.
By the way, Magic is 13 days older than I am, both of us were born in August 1959; we both played point guard; and I am an avid Lakers fan. Always have been.
The 1975-76 season was a disaster. I did not play on the varsity and I am almost glad. Started 4-0; then 0-16. The Class of 1976 has some good players, but they did not play well together, thus the 4-16 record.
1976-77 team was a definite improvement. The regular season was just 9-8, but we found redemption in the Western Conference Tournament and made the State Tournament for the first time in 10 years. We lost the opening round game at the Montana State University Fieldhouse against Kalispell.
The loser out game was against the Libby Loggers. We fell behind by 25 points just before halftime, an almost insurmountable lead. However, just like two years before with the Warriors, the mighty Hawks came back and forced the game into overtime. And yes we won the game going away at the end.
What was particularly memorable was how Head Coach Joe McKethen reacted to the stunning comeback. It was the one and only time we saw Joe McKethen cry. He was so grateful for the effort expended and somehow he knew his coaching career was saved for the State Championships that were coming.
We won the Saturday morning loser out contest against Anaconda to qualify for the State Tournament. That night we watched Blaine Taylor of Missoula Hellgate sink two last second free throws in the Consolation game to defeat us.
Five years later, Blaine was a Grizzly and he did the same to the University of Idaho Vandals. That would be the only regular season loss for Idaho and they had been ranked as high as #8 in the country during the 1981-1982 season. The Grizzlies, however, would lose to Idaho in the Big Sky Conference title game and only Idaho played in NCAA Tournament. Had Montana won that game, it would have received the automatic bid and Idaho would have received an at-large bid. It is the only time in the 61-year history of the BSC that two Men's or Women's teams could have qualified for March Madness in the same season.
For Bozeman, the '77 campaign would go down with a thud at the Billings Metra. It was one-two you're out. That would be the last time that the people in Bozeman would view a trip to the State Tournament as a very successful season. Beginning in 1978 and ever since that would simply not be good enough.
When basketball resumed in early October, Coach McKethen had a special speech prepared. He proclaimed that our 1977-1978 team could in fact win a State Basketball Championship for the first time in 60 years. Not since the Gallatin County Wildcats won back-to-back State Championships in 1917 and 1918 had the high school in Bozeman won a State Basketball Championship. Future actor Gary Cooper would graduate from GCHS in 1919.
As Sports Editor for the school newspaper, "Hawk Tawk" and reporting on basketball, I wrote the article that let the world know what his intentions were and that it sounded like something out of the movie "Rocky".
The season started just as the last one ended with a loss in Billings to Billings West. Then the Hawks began to look like a winner. Our next loss would be to - you guessed it - Butte, five weeks afterwards in overtime. Assistant Coach and future BSC Commissioner, Doug Fullerton, once asked me how many times my class played Butte in overtime and the answer was four. The previous season in Butte and the last time during the State Tournament semi-final two months later; twice in Butte during the regular season and twice in tournament games.
Every basketball team has an off night and ours came against Helena Capital the week after. That's why it is a shame that most tournaments are single elimination as far as the championship is concerned. We shot less than 30% and it was just miserable.
But the loss that mattered was the one the first weekend in February 1978. The Hawks lost a close game to Missoula Sentinel on their floor after trouncing them in Bozeman right before Christmas. Sentinel had been rated #1 in Class AA all season despite that lone loss to Bozeman. The Hawks were never rated higher than #4 the entire season. It really bugged Coach McKethen.
I have vivid memories of my Interview as Hawk Tawk Sports Editor of the Coach after this loss. When Coach McKethen got off the phone, he said, “Phil, that will never happen again.” Even as a “hotshot Senior,” I was taken aback by the statement. When an authority figure in your life says something like this, your first reaction is oh ____! Right?
Then the Coach explained that the Bozeman Hawks would not lose another basketball game that season. He explained how he was going to accomplish it, how he was going to achieve his dream and gave me the reason why he had returned to Bozeman seven years before. Coach McKethen had played his college ball at MSU and is a Golden Bobcat.
The Hawks ran the table and won their last five games of the regular season, then marched through the Western AA Conference Tournament and State Tournament with only a close overtime game against archrival Butte. The Hawks dominated Sentinel in the State Championship game, 58-53, in the shadow of the school's namesake mountain at Harry Adams Fieldhouse in Missoula. It was really never a contest.
It wasn't just that. As Athletic Director Joe McKethen decided he wanted to turn a sports laughingstock into a sports dynasty. Before 1978, the athletes from Bozeman doubted they could win. After 1978, they knew they would win. Huge difference in the mindset. All because one man decided “that will never happen again.”
Bozeman now wins a State Basketball Championship about every four or five years on average, not every 60. And in other sports you will find the same story.
In “Think & Grow Rich” , Napoleon Hill spends an entire chapter (#8) on this incredible Power of Decision. Not by mistake, the chapter is almost entirely about how the Power of Decision led to the creation of the United States of America.
You can see why I pay such close attention to the Power of Decision and the lesson Coach McKethen had taught me so long ago. My own personal experiences and revelations about life are so intertwined with that one moment in time.
Ever since the SVC Battle of Hastings Commemoration and My Declaration about 17 months ago, the world has witnessed the power of My Decisions concerning why I am here and how the Creator has led me to bring the world to a Peaceful Conclusion.
Now, where do you come in? Dealing with their Spiritual Self is so very difficult for the vast, vast, vast of People because you have to deal with who you really are and our Creator. In the Spiritual realm there can be no secrets, no proverbial skeletons in the closet. There is only you exposed for who you really are.
The Creator knows who you are and what you have done. Your record is a known quantity. The Creator has a Special Mission - a Divine Destiny - for each and everyone of us and more than anything the Creator would like you to become what you are created for, but 97% or 98% of us fail to be so.
As time has past in dealing with the American Organized Terrorism Opprobrium, I have had to take stock of my own Spiritual Life in light of what my special calling is. Having quite literally hundreds of thousands of People persecute me because of that calling has been very difficult for me – it would be for anyone - but on the other hand I have had the Creator always reminding me what the end is.
A long time ago now, I found this gem in the Gospels from Jesus, “Go tell that fox (Herod Antipas), ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ (Luke 13:32)
The passage from Luke 13 teaches us what our disposition must be in serving our Creator in fulfilling our Divine Destiny. If nothing else Jesus had a major advantage over the rest of us. He knew who he is and what his Divine Destiny is from the get-go.
Jesus was actually rebuking supporters when they suggested that he run and hide from Herod. That would be a natural response for almost all of us, but not Jesus. Fortunately for me, I have been blessed with the same instincts. I rather serve the Creator and others than to try to save myself for selfish gain.
What happened in Colorado Springs on Super Tuesday is an example of how well I have learned from Jesus. The foxes were lying in wait to attack me, I was hurt and I had a concussion, but that didn't stop me from completing my appointed rounds. I was paid for my dedication and work ethic by being told I intentionally forged information and was summarily fired by Americans For Prosperity/Canvass For America.
Just like Jesus knew his business so well, I know the Political Canvassing business inside and out. I have only met two individuals who can light a candle to me in this regard, so when the International Tribunals consider the case, they will see the whole mess for what it is.
The classic is that the Respondents had already voted and lied to me about voting or who they voted for are the discrepancies that Mandy Hyde was referring to. Only possibilities in this case. A Canvasser can only record information that the people give them, even if they understand it is inconsistent or Respondents are trying to deceive us. To do otherwise is to do is exactly what Americans For Prosperity/Canvass America accused me of doing and fired me for. It is now clear no matter what I did, they were going to let me go.
Further, Hyde has not turned over any evidence that would verify Americans For Prosperity/Canvass America claim as requested that same day. Failure to do so will lead to Summary Judgment in my favor. I will eventually own Americans For Prosperity/Canvass America and SVC could use these organizations to better inform Americans why and how the ACO must be put down as it will be.
Obviously, Jesus and I have something in common. The powers-that-be are incredibly invested in the idea that we are the wrongdoers when they are so obviously the perpetrators. Just read the Gospels and the Annals of the American Organized Terrorism Opprobrium you will observe this theme again and again. Jesus is perfect; I haven't even done so much as a speeding ticket. Yet, who was crucified and who has had seven serious assassination attempts against him?
Just the day before, the U.S. Supreme Court Ruled against the State of Colorado's banishment of Donald Trump from the ballot. SCOTUS doesn't even begin to understand the proverbial can of worms it has opened. The same arguments can be made for third party ballot access for President and for the American People to have the unfettered right to Vote, thus undoing all the hard work Republican Legislatures around country have done since the 2020 election to keep those majority Democrats from voting.
If you research and study history of all those who have had a particularly Special Divine Destiny, you will discover they took a stand and did not run because they knew they were right. It does not take much courage to do what is right because if you are doing what is right, guess who supports you? Indeed, the Creator probably put them up to it just as he has with me. They too knew what the end was. They too knew right will always defeat might. https://www.svctrailblazerpublications.com/promises-fulfilled
https://www.svctrailblazerpublications.com/legend-of-the-burning-bush
In fact, a bit later in Luke 17:32 & 33, Jesus talks about his Second Coming. He warns, “Whoever tries to keep their Lives will lose it, and whoever loses their Life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding together; one will be taken and other the left.” The Creator will separate the sheep from the goats and those who are taken will flourish in Jesus' Kingdom; those who are left will be cast out.
Nelson Mandela knew quite a bit of persecution himself and never responded in kind. Perhaps, the most valuable lesson Nelson taught me is that none of us are completely good or completely evil. We are all some of both. The key question is: are you a liberator or are you an oppressor? What is your focus in dealing with others?
We both believe that will be the criterion the Creator will utilize in determining who are the proverbial sheep and who are the goats. There is no question that the goats are those who supported the Apartheid Government and did not accede to its elimination and the traitors/terrorists of the American Organized Terrorism Opprobrium who insist on justifying their action when there can be no defense. They knew/know nothing of the liberator's role in the Creator's Grand Design.
Wayne Dyer put it in the best way I have ever heard: “How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours...You can either be a host to God or a hostage to your ego. It’s your call.” Especially for men, egotism is a real problem. Wayne's words echo in my mind every time I get unduly agitated and want to strike back.
Almost 17 months ago today, I delivered the HASTINGS TRAILBLAZER DAY DECLARATION. In it, I outlined what my Divine Destiny is and what it entails. I concluded the Declaration with a quote from the American Declaration of Independence, “...we mutually pledge our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” There can be no other way. https://www.svctrailblazerpublications.com/hastings-trailblazer-day-declaration https://www.svctrailblazerpublications.com/trailblazer-to-revival-of-the-american-dream-1
Albert Einstein once suggested that if you want your Children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be even more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.
What Einstein is driving at here is the faculties of your own mind are the most powerful thing you possess and the most powerful thing on earth. By reading your Children fairy tales, you cause them to open their imaginations to literally visualize the seemingly impossible as possible.
As Children we believed anything as possible and we were right! By the time we are Adults, most of us somehow lose that effervescent charm of our Souls. That is the reason Jesus forbade his Apostles from keeping the Children away from him and spoke to his Followers as Children just learning the ways of the Creator.
Ultimately, 97% of the human race simply possess a fear of belonging to their dreams. Owning your dreams as yours is so important, but our thinking is so negative most of the time. It is my belief that we all have the responsibility to make something of ourselves and living to accomplish our Divine Destiny.
Those dreams that are laid on our hearts by the Creator have been placed there for a reason. Do not ignore them. Don't let Satan tell you are not good enough or couldn't possibly do that. Do not allow others to be the evil one's surrogates through their jealousy and hostility and keep you from accomplishing your divinely given dreams.
One of the reasons why I have been such a target of the traitors/terrorists is because I represent the Creator and I am persona non grata to them. Osama bin Laden was one of the most evil men of our times. He was repulsed by me not only because he sensed who I am, but how I became an annoying reminder of who he had become and represent because he had a mistaken belief that U.S. Foreign Policy was designed to oppress, kill, or otherwise harm Muslims in the Middle East.
When the Creator kept planting me directly in bin Laden's way again and again, Osama called me his only "Worthy Adversary." It has always been a wonderful reminder for me of who is in charge.
It has been curious to me how people get off on a tangent in their thinking and ultimately destroy their lives and become infamous. The Sanhedrin saw Jesus the same way that bin Laden did and the traitors/terrorists now view me. A scene from Jesus Christ Superstar illustrates this perfectly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beWXBnliolo
The SVC International Board of Governors has unanimously Resolved to put the American Criminal Opprobrium down without delay! SVC will now pursue the accomplishment of World Democratization; Economic Democratization and universal utilization of my Living Security Program in order to bring the world to a Peaceful Conclusion!!!!!!!
Bottom line, I have listened to my heart and have done my level best to do what the Creator desires. I have no fear of belonging to my Divinely Given Goals. Especially now because its tournament time at SVC!
PHIL SUTTON, DBA
SVC PRESIDENT/CEO
COURTESY: SVC INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF GOVERNORS
MARCH 5-10, 2024
OTHER INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLES
https://www.svctrailblazerpublications.com/revival-of-your-dreams
https://www.svctrailblazerpublications.com/svc-international-peace-democracy-day
https://www.svctrailblazerpublications.com/when-all-things-appear-lost
https://www.svctrailblazerpublications.com/promises-fulfilled-remastered
https://www.svctrailblazerpublications.com/true-american-hero
https://www.svctrailblazerpublications.com/power-of-decision
https://www.svctrailblazerpublications.com/legend-of-the-burning-bush