Savage Words: One song, one video moves me to laugh, think, cry all in 5 minutes

In March of 1993, I was a 24-year-old young, eager and naive sportswriter in Sioux Falls.

I listened to Jim Valvano’s famous ‘Don’t Ever Give Up’ speech at the ESPY Awards, and although it choked me up a tad, his words didn’t sink in the way they do now as a 54-year-old seasoned sportswriter who – like everyone else on planet earth – has 30 more years of experience, 30 more years of happiness, and 30 more years of heartache and perspective.

His words are different now.

And there were a lot of words. His 10-minute speech is tough to watch, but inspiring at the same time. Every time I’ve watched it – and it’s been many over the last several years – it ends with a lump in my throat.

He was battling cancer at the time. ‘Don’t Ever Give Up’ was his message.

He died 55 days later. He was 47 years old.

Two years ago next week, I underwent surgery to remove the cancer that was in my body. Thankfully, my doctor said everything was successfully removed and in regards to prostate cancer, I have nothing to worry about for the rest of my life, which he said would be 90. I don’t know about that. I feel like I get sore just getting out of bed some days, but I’ll take his wisdom all day long.

One thing in particular that stuck with me in Valvano’s legendary speech was to do three things each day. 

Actually, here’s what he said, just 55 days before his death in a room full of star-studded athletes and celebrities:

“When people say to me how do you get through life or each day, it’s the same thing. To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. Number three is you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special.

I truly, and vigorously, try to do those three things each day.

Laughing is pretty easy. I’m surrounded by family that without even trying, cracks me up several times a day. Most days it’s more than a chuckle. We laugh a spirited laugh most days.

Spending time in thought isn’t actually tough, either. It just takes time. You have to purposely make an effort to think about things deeply. It isn’t hard – just takes effort. And it’s rewarding when you do it, even if it’s sad, it’s rewarding spending that time in thought.

The toughest for most people, I would think, is to have your emotions moved to tears. I’m a bit of an emotional softy and it doesn’t take a lot for me to cry. Hell, a good sports movie with an emotional ending gets me choked up.

Actually, almost any movie gets me choked up. I cried at How the Grinch Stole Christmas a few years back when the narrator referenced how the Grinch’s heart ‘grew three sizes that day.’ My daughter was very young at the time. She looked at me and rolled her eyes in the theater.

My favorite movie is Dead Poet’s Society. It’s a film starring Robin Williams set in 1959 at a fictional elite boarding school. It tells the story of an English teacher who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry.

Sounds boring, I get it.

But it’s captivating. In one particular scene, Williams’ character (John Keating) inspires one of his students (Ethan Hawke as Todd Anderson) to break out of his shell when it comes to stage fright. Williams prods and pokes at him to ‘Yell like a man!’

It’s the “Yawp” scene. YouTube it. It gives me chills.

Immediately after Hawke ‘yells like a man,’ Williams looks at him intently and says, “Don’t you forget this.”

The next scene is of the boys playing soccer to the music of Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy.’

Those two scenes not only brings me to tears every time, it also gave me the appreciation of such a spectacular piece of music.

I know you’ve heard ‘Ode to Joy’ before. You’ve probably heard it a hundred times.

But I’m going to do you a favor and really let you soak it in. If you’re like me, and truly soak it in, there’s a good chance you’ll fulfill all three of Valvano’s wishes in just one YouTube setting.

Google ‘flash mob for Ode to Joy’ and watch it on YouTube.

The video takes you to Sabadell, Spain.

It’s five-and-a-half minutes, and it’s worth every second.

Here’s to hoping you laugh, think and cry while watching.

Enjoy. 

And, you’re welcome.