The greatest reward in life is found in the spirit of giving. To grow—whether in strength, wisdom, or character—you must open your heart, mind, and spirit, allowing nature to take its course. Any man or woman seeking to increase their internal power or strength must embrace the spirit of giving. This can be as simple as offering your time, energy, or even just listening.

Giving is a powerful act, and its effects resonate in profound ways. Perhaps this is best explained by the concept of Karma, which means “comeback.” It’s one of the oldest laws known to humanity—the law of the boomerang.

In the natural world, it’s a fundamental truth that you must give to receive. If you wish to reap a harvest, you must first plant the seeds. If you want to increase your physical strength, you must break down muscle fibers, stimulating them to divide and grow.

Division and growth are the processes through which all life expands. Consider a single cell in your body, a plant, or any form of life. What happens? The cell divides, and each half grows until it reaches its normal size.

Then it divides again, continuing this cycle. Without division, there is no growth—only atrophy, which means a decrease in size or a wasting away. To grow, you must first give.

In the world of athletics, a certain trait is essential: dedication. At any level, this dedication helps people maximize their potential and gifts. One of life’s greatest rewards is the ability to inspire young people to live lives full of joy.

One of the most valuable lessons taught through the game of basketball, for example, is that basketball is like life—whatever you put into it is what you will get in return.

Enclosing, love is essential. It is the heartbeat of a full life. Love and life are intertwined—if you have love, you have life, and if you have life, you have love. These are interchangeable vows that complement each other. In everything I’m saying, the core message is this: love our young people, and they will love you back!