“Rudy”

What a captivating story based on a true event of a young man, Rudy Ruettiger, who
wanted nothing more than to play football for the University of Notre Dame, (Go Irish), but he didn’t have much talent.

He had no athletic ability and a learning disability but was all heart. From a young age he had a burning desire and knew what his Definite Major Purpose was, despite his father and family dismissing that.

He’d stopped thinking he could achieve his dream and resigned himself to the fact that he would be working at the local mill like everyone in the family had gone on to do after graduating high school.

Rudy would constantly act out his football plays with great enthusiasm and in his mind he would be attending Notre Dame and playing on the football team. He had an unwavering Positive Mental Attitude.

Upon graduating from high school and working a short time at the local mill with his best friend, Pete, and his family, tragedy struck. His best friend got killed on the job. Heart broken after the services for his friend, he told his loved ones that he was setting out on the journey to get into Notre Dame University and play football for the team.

His family laughed at him.

His plan of action was to advocate for himself what an asset he would be to Notre Dame and that he would give a 100% of himself to achieve his dream by improving his grades and physically doing what was necessary to play football at the university.

His written plan of action and burning desire led him to talk to a priest at the University who gave him the chance to prove himself by enrolling him in the a junior college, Holy Cross.

He gave 100% percent and improved his grades. He then applied to Notre Dame. The first time, he was denied. The second time he was denied. The third time, accepted. His persistence finally gave him the results he was after.

On his journey, he made many Master Mind Alliances who would help mold and inspire him to keep being persistent in achieving his dream.

Rudy expressed himself in continuous action. On his journey he achieved 3 major victories. He got into Notre Dame, got a college degree, and got to play with the players in practice and earn their respect.

Rudy, instead of celebrating the 3 victories, only sees the 3 things as only being useful if they lead to that end dream. Certain victories that you meet along the way to a dream and or goal, those victories should be celebrated and treasured.

Rudy could only see the victory as the end result – dressing for the game and playing as a Notre Dame football player in the actual game. He quits when the coach doesn’t play him in the field, but he is told and encouraged by different mentors, football players who he’d earned their respect, to keep going.

They rallied for him to be allowed to play in the last game of the season, for which the coach has him suit up and get in.

His family is at the game at Rudy’s invite and so proud that Rudy accomplished his dream in spite of their disbelief, obstacles and the odds. Wow , I cried in joy and I can relate to what he lived through.

What a terrific inspiration he is to me, and others who see this story. My take
away, “Never give up on your dreams and celebrate your victories and losses along the way
because that is going to make your story interesting.

Treasure those moments, because everyone wants to know how you got there, because the end result is the end result, not the how.

Rudy gives hope where many have lost hope by not believing and doing what others choose as their dream. Believe in yourself, be persistent and you win.

See more about what I learned in the Master Key Experience by clicking here.