Reaction Paper : Coach Carter

Everything in life is somehow connected. It is a matter of taking right decisions before knowing what that everything in life is. Being successful is completing something that you think you can’t do. Yet you can do anything that you set your mind to. This movie: “Coach Carter” speaks out the idea of life, taking chances and choosing what’s important in life. And somehow to learn respect, teamwork, humility, responsibility and change. Life is not indeed unfair; it is just full of circumstances and challenges that we as humans need to face. But with all those obstacles in life, which one is the most important thing that we need to look forward to?

Leaders are those who inspire others to do better. And by taking actions, these leaders are making difference to their people. And one of them is Coach Ken Carter.  Carter was a basketball coach of a hopeless team that no one can tame or teach. Yet Carter still gives it a shot and eventually changes and teaches them to learn the value of discipline, and finds faith to succeed.

Respect is something that is easy to lose but hard to gain. Coach Carter teaches his players that discipline starts with self-respect. If you know how to respect yourself, you can respect others too. Responsibility is another thing that a team needs to take. The responsibility of being good in sports without failing in Academics is a hard task that Carter wants them to succeed. Another is that, Carter wants them to realize that basketball is not their life; it is just a part of their life. Playing basketball can’t get them through life, but having a good education would.

The key of change is to let go of fears. Timo Cruz says: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.  It is a matter of facing the fear that we feel inside.” Our deepest fear is being unable to fulfill our potential. The potential that we have inside that God has given us to explore, and to share. Cause as we express it with ourselves we also share the same feeling of being able to express to others.

As the Richmond Oilers continues their road to success, they eventually take a wrong path leading to their destination. Carter implemented his players that in order for them to be real champions, they need to act as champions. Champions are those who are made from deep inside and not from gyms. And as a team, they achieve more than what they expected. A team is not by many but as one. It is not just for the sake of one but for the sake of everybody. They fight for their one goal and desire.

Growing up in the world, you learn many things about people.   You have to learn from decision makings. Yes, living might mean taking chances. Chances that are worth taking. This movie is not just a movie of success but also a movie of knowing what really a team is. A movie that reminds us that we still have goals in life that we need to reach and take full responsibility.

Everything is not about winning. We achieve what everything in life is. It is just a matter of having our up’s and down’s. We are always going to be facing challenges that in time will become more difficult. If we choose to just give up we will never solve anything. We must evaluate the actions that need to take place and solve it step by step. Cause as what Confucius says: “A journey to a thousand miles begins with one step.”