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Two Greatest Days, Two Greatest Miracles
Some say the two greatest days of your life are the day you were born and the day you die.
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OLOGY-Crowell’s Five
PHILOSOPHY-OLOGY PSYCH-OLOGY BASKETBALL-OLOGY LIFEBALL-OLOGY SPIRITUAL-OLOGY KEY STATEMENT: These five OLOGY’S are the five disciplines that have played a significant role in my life.
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People Are Like Flowers
These Chinese flowers give evidence to the elegance, beauty, and grandeur of the miracle of creation. The China basketball experience continues to warm my heart and move me to gratitude.
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Hard Teacher – Dirty Grader
It may be impossible to escape life without some Hard Teachers and Dirty Graders. Life is hard until you realize it; then it is no longer hard. – Scott Peck, Road Less Traveled.
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How to Make Hope Work for You
This Word of Hope is written to my hero Mike. He is responding to a fellow employee who has just been given a cancer diagnosis. In this respect, HOPE is our ANCHOR! It is not dormant.
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The Adventure of Living, Part 1
Life is meant for good friends and great adventures! Life is an adventure to be lived! Even Aristotle said, “Adventure is worthwhile.” However, why should it take a catastrophe to wake us up to find it?
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Healthy Silence
The base note of our lives is silence. The trees must be in it, the birds sing, the dogs bark, cars beep – people speak – but the silence is the deep ground.
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Hope, an Antidote for Depression
“Hope is the anchor to our souls.” In my former career as a marriage and family counselor, I faced a monumental counseling challenge. A young, deeply depressed, divorced mother came to me.
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Priceless Vacation Absolutely Free
Sounds too good to be true. Well, truthfully it is priceless but it is not absolutely free. This priceless vacation does not cost one red cent; however, it costs your time and your devoted attention.
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Two Choices – We Get Bitter or We Get Better
God’s mercy is for everyone. “And so dear brothers and sisters, ‘I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you.
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The Triple A’s
Adversity – Abundance – Appreciation Is it possible to go through life without adversity? Are learning valuable life lessons possible without adversity? In your life experience, how has adversity shaped you?
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The Truth About Truth and Lies
Truth is what we need to hear, a lie is what we want to hear. You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.
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Crowell’s Irrevocable Law of the Broken Plate
A broken plate! Imagine the pain a mother experienced when her young child dropped one of her most precious treasures. It was a special plate received from her mother.
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The Hour Has Come
The wise King David encouraged us to measure our days and to know the brevity of life (Psalm 39:4-5). He also told us we are like grass, here today, gone tomorrow and remembered no more (Psalm 103:15-16).
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Just Love People
Life offers no greater gift with greater rewards than just loving people for no other motive than to love.
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Sacred Place – Secret Garden
The most beautiful and blessed place on earth. Slow the bus down is a favorite expression in the Crowell home when one of us gets too busy, anxious or troubled.
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Listen Well
6 WAYS TO BE A BETTER LISTENER LEARN – Listen with the purpose to learn, not be quick to tell what you know.
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Be Nice
Kindness Is Contagious is a valuable educational documentary on the magic of kindness. Of all the species on earth, the most helpless for the longest period of time is in the human child.
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The Battle for Your Soul
If there is a battle, then what is a soul? The soul ( psuche in Greek) is our animate life, the seat of our mind, senses, will, and desires, reflected in our personality .
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What’s in Your Toolbox?
“If you try to fix a problem with the wrong tool you will make the problem bigger, not smaller.” – Jennifer Crowell Ferch My true friend, the late Dave Tucker, was a master machine and wood-smith of the…
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Thanksgiving Week
In 1863, because of the Army victory at Gettysburg during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln declared a national Thanksgiving holiday for every succeeding November.
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Christ Is Our Life, Part 1
As I reflect on the major decisions of my life, there was one that took the longest to decide yet had the most impact on my life.
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DON’T NEVER STOP – Positive Force Statement
Don’t never stop being HOPEFUL Don’t never stop being kind & cheerful Don’t never stop loving life and people Don’t never stop loving the Lord with mind heart and soul The use of a double negative is done…
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Grateful for Gifts
Once in a while, I question why I find such joyful delight when I receive a grateful expression.
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Hope Is Only as Good as the Anchor
One of the most enlightening Biblical chapters is I Corinthians 13. Here Apostle Paul extols love as the highest creative act of human giftedness.
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The Law of the Unreachable Itch
In broad terms, there are only two kinds of body itches. However, there are many types of “life itches.” One kind of Body itch is reachable; a gentle scratch solves the problem. Relief is welcomed with thankfulness.
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Live Well Die Well
Today I received OXYCOURAGE from a wonderful man who was a valuable player on one of my basketball coached teams, approximately 44-years-ago team. He has had a significant career in changing thousands of lives.
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A Prayer for You
Years ago, a brilliant leader taught the magic learning number is 6 . For example: If you want to remember a person’s name when introduced, silently repeat the name 6 times.
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Hope Does Not Disappoint
The best experience in life is simply living, breathing, loving people, delighting in God’s creation, and earth as our Disneyland. Life is a blessing! Yet, one of the worst experiences in life is a disappointment .
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Man’s Best Friend
When neighbors are out walking their dogs, my favorite question is: “Who is having the most fun — you or the dog?” Of course, the answer is always the same: “The dog.” As I have watched dogs, all…
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What Thankfulness Is
“ Thank you “ may be the most forgotten phrase in all mankind! Is the loss of a couple seconds of our time worth not expressing thanks? What is thankfulness?
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Finish Before You Start
Genius is being able to visualize the finish line or the finished product before you begin the race or the task. The late Dr.
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Door of Hope
Anytime the word “HOPE” appears in writing, my eyes light up! It is my inspiration! It became my go-to word when cancer knocked at my door.
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Don’t Dabble with Sin
My reading in James 1:15 (NASB) says: “Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” May I personally say it in a more graphic way?
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Hiding Places
Some people hide all their lives, and some people don’t know they are hiding. We seem to live in a rootless society . Our identities seem to feel lost. We seem to be a society of vagabonds!
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7200 Pounds of Hope
Do we really measure HOPE in terms of pounds? Yes, we surely do when it is Words of Hope books.
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Stop Being a Bully — Start Being a Friend
October is Bully Prevention Month . What better month could there be because October comes soon after the start of a new school year?
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Hope Says Have Hope
If dogs could bark in human language, I am convinced my new pup, Hope LUV, would bark words of hope to you. Hope is kind and gentle, and she delights in jumping, running, and receiving approval.
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Have Courage Be Kind
You can change the world! Think big! But… start small! Today’s world is fragile, imperiled, hurt, unknown, in a type of bubble.
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Leave Magic Wherever You Go
Something incredibly positive has happened during my 10-year journey of over 250 oncology appointments. As always, ATTITUDE is the difference-maker in all of life experiences, cancer being no exception.
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The Glory of Creation
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His handiwork. There is no speech or language where His word is not heard.” The psalmist continues to extol the grandeur of creation.
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Reasons to Make Gratitude a Goal
Why is gratitude important? Gratitude becomes mental and emotional medicine. John Hopkins Hospital asks each cancer patient to journal 25 gratitudes daily. Gratitude enhances greater performance.
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Help Me Paradox
My years of counseling have taught me it is nearly impossible to help others unless they sincerely say ‘HELP ME!” This kind of help is to advise, give counsel, regarding a problem.
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Babies Change Everything
The birth of a child is the grandest and most Godlike event a mother and father can experience in a lifetime. In fact, it is so miraculous every other life experience pales by comparison.
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Health and Human Behavior
The relatively new science of phenomenology, empirical-based research, is understanding the meaning of people’s lived experiences.
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Relationship Values
QUESTIONS: After a gathering of friends, do you ever wonder if they had a good time? Do you sometimes wonder if a person dislikes you or has negative views of you?
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17 Minutes, 17 Seconds
These two 17’s are the best moments of my day! This is time dedicated to entering my personal secret garden. The psalmist called this a secret place.
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High on Hope
Many years ago a college student told me his story: “For six years I was drug-free. However, after graduating from college, I was struggling to find employment. I became discouraged.
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Love Hurting People
The customary “How are you doing” greeting continues to receive the same casual responses of either “Good,” “fine,” or “ok.” Yet, today there may be a big difference when those replies are given.
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Small & Grand Surprises
My family, especially daughter Jennifer, delights when I am excited over surprises, no matter the size. A small surprise came yesterday, although it was tear-moving.
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People Bridges
SPOKANE IS A CITY OF BRIDGES. These bridges are crucial for connecting south and north Spokane. This city has the truly magnificent Spokane River which is a tributary to the mighty Columbia River a hundred miles away.
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Unstuck
“Unstuck” is a descriptive word, an adjective. When an object becomes unstuck, it is freed or loosened from being fastened or stuck.
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Time for a Trade-in
The auto industry survives on used car sales, not new car sales, according to some experts in the car and truck industry.
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War Against Unbelief
Sad to say, in today’s culture you and I are at war. The enemy is unbelief . Too often we view the enemy as other people, but in reality, it is our personal unbelief.
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Hang Tight to Hope
HOPE IS REAL ANTICIPATION IN A VERY TOUGH AND DIFFICULT WORLD. Hope is our medicine for depression, failure, discouragement, illness, broken dreams. Hope is the cure for dark days when it seems life really sucks.
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Ten Thousand Books
The time has come! Ten thousand WORDS OF HOPE books are now being published: Full-color, hard-back cover 416 pages of wisdom 366 Hope messages The daily messages are to inform, inspire, and entertain.
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Basketball, a Small Town Religion
Anacortes is a small fishing, lumber town in northwest Washington. This community has lived, breathed, and died basketball. It has been the town religion.
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THE WORD — Learn it, speak it, obey it!
What is a word? It is a revealer, a messenger; it can also be a unit of a spoken or written expression.
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Be Like Rain Drizzle
Music is the universal language of the world. Melodic music can be like the soft drizzle of rain, in other words, light rain in fine drops. It just falls effortlessly. It’s just rain.
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Hinds Feet
Difficulties and troubles in this world often cause us to cry out unthinkingly for help to be strong, brave, and invincible.
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Cancer Beater #1: The Spirit
To WIN against cancer, it is first and foremost necessary to understand what war and winning are. War is intense conflict and combat; winning is conquering and gaining a triumph. Unfortunately, cancer has no rules. Cancer cheats.
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Coach Ed Pepple
Ed Pepple (1932-2020) was a great high school basketball coach for 49 years in the state of Washington, 42 of those years at Mercer Island High School.
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Certain Path to Peace
With many mental parts moving about in the “Crowell Cooker” today, I wonder how do I find peace where there is so much pain in our world, both micro and macro?
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The One Amazing Encourage Tool: The Personal Letter
In life experience laboratories, human condition scientists search to find new methods to educate people to live at maximum potential. Their one mystery question is: HOW DO WE BEST MOTIVATE HUMANITY?
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The Power of Personalized Letters
One of the most powerful ways to inspire and encourage someone is a personal letter. This is because written words can be reread and encouraged again. Therefore, they are magical.
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Dancing with Death
Dear Words of Hope reader, please do not flee from this WOH because of the word “death.” To equate it with dancing will be mind and heart boggling.
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Meet Miss Hope, My New Teacher
Everyone is a teacher ! The title teacher is not inclusive to those who are certified academic instructors. The most effective teacher is one’s life experience.
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Labor Day Celebration
I discovered far too late in life what Labor Day Celebration should be. I thought it was valuing hard work.
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Gut Check Diagnosis
From time to time, all of us need to assess where we are emotionally. We need to be willing to open the door and take an honest look, a self-test.
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Sfa – Stamp for Approval
One of the most spectacular auto plants in the world is the Audi headquarters in Germany. According to my family, it is a marvel to watch an Audi being built from start to finish.
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Letter to Fred
Good morning, Freddy J. Crowell. The immediate, direct question needing an answer is: How are you?
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Chreia-pithy Education
KEY STATEMENT. To encourage someone is to give them oxygen. 12-year-old Bella Crowell Ferch gives us an education on what 6 graders are learning at the Oaks Classical Christian Academy.
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Words of Hope
Hi Robert – Bobby MAC, Good news and bad news The self-therapy letter to myself details the good news. Read on. Dear Freddy J, Good morning, best friend. Hope with God’s hope you are enjoying today.
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Crowell Cancer War Report
Greetings dear WOH friends, Daily words of hope with Fred Crowell was inspired out of my need to fight cancer with firm resolve and a never-quit attitude. Cancer became a friend, not a foe.
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A Teen’s Four Most Enemies
Military battles, sports, and music competitions all demand mind management and self-regulation skill training and development. It is said that elite, world-class stars in sports or the arts practice more than 10,000 hours.
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Two Pounds of Hope
Have you ever held two pounds of HOPE in your hands? With today’s many worldwide problems housed in nearly every human life on this planet, two pounds of HOPE has the potential to lift the human spirit to…
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Never Let Be Said
Of all the possible criticism words that could be leveled against me by someone I love and admire, the most heartbreaking one would be: “I HOLD THIS AGAINST YOU.” These words could hurt deeply unless guarded by mutual…
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If You Wanna Cry, America, Cry for Our Cities
What is my favorite city in the USA? Perhaps New York City! Traveling to the Big Apple for great Broadway plays with our musical Ferch family was fun. Next, maybe big California cities (San Francisco, Los Angeles)!
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An Old Basketball Coach’s Existential Diagnosis of Racism
As a general rule, basketball coaches have a single focus: to coach/teach the team to excel. Great coaches are outstanding in creating the team environment of commitment to unity, positive mental attitudes, and strong moral character.
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Home – War Zone or Safe Sanctuary
Within the world-famous San Diego Zoo is a truly magnificent bird sanctuary. It is breathtakingly beautiful. It is a perfect home of safety with the provision of water, food, and fresh air for these birds.
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NBC Camps Never Quits
For the first time in 49 years, NBC Camps worldwide have not been able to host even one single live day or residential camp.
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The Story – the Ask
Behind every Ask is a life experience story. The more significant the story, the larger the Ask. The less important the story, the smaller the Ask.
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World’s Systemic Problem, Part 2
Every nation, every region, every city, every town, every village, every group has two classes of people. My terms are The Haves and The Have Nots .
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Abundance Not Scarcity
“I have come that you might life and have it abundantly.” – Jesus Often people tell me, “We grew up poor but I never knew we were poor.” The six Crowell kids knew every day of our growing…
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The Four F Words – Faith, Family, Friends, Fun
“If you have faith, family, friends sprinkled with a little fun you can beat anything.” – Loraine Derr, Juneau Alaska If anyone on earth understands the value of faith, family, and fun it is Lorraine Derr.
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Thirst
Key Statement: “My soul thirst for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” – Psalm 63 Water has been the center of my attention lately for several reasons.
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What Do You Say When There Is No Hope?
These past few days people have asked me questions that are extremely difficult. There doesn’t seem to be a helpful answer. Five years ago Bill Brick and I became friends for eternity.
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Mookie Fights Cancer
Meet Mookie! He lives in Thailand. He is a favorite at NBC Camps; always smiling, inspirational, hard-working, and a pure delight to teammates and coaches. Why is Mookie our hero?
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Advantages of Companionship
“Better to trust and run the risk of being disappointed than to trust no one and be alone.” – Jim Harrick In a recent conversation, it was communicated to me that trust was a big problem.
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Time for a Gut Check
The human gut has 80% of the immune system to fight disease. Best to take care of the gut. Don’t you agree? Coaches routinely take “Gut Checks” on their teams. Great teams have guts !
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The New Normal
Recently USA News made two statements: “Ignorance is the new normal. Stupidity is the new normal.” Where is there hope in these two philosophical statements? Curiosity is a significantly powerful learning skill.
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People Fear
“Do not be afraid of people or I will make you look foolish in front of them.” – God’s words to the Prophet Jeremiah Elegant question: Are you afraid of people?
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The Crucial Life Question
WHAT IS YOUR M/P (MEANING AND PURPOSE FOR LIVING)? Meaning and purpose are jet fuel for life. Tell me in 30 seconds or less your reason for living!
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Restore or Rebuild
“Except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and dies it abides alone…” Do we destroy the old bridge, let it stays as is and let it decay; or build a brand new one close by?
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Wanna Be Brave
Aristotle said, “We become brave by doing brave acts.” The clear logical definition of brave: Courageous, dauntless, perhaps a little bit daring, a brave person, faces dangerous or difficult situations with courage.
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The Law of Restitution – Reconciliation
“You can never do too much for Him who has done so much for us.” -The late Coach T.
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Relax
Slow the bus down. Relax. Breath. Call Time Out. When the pace gets too fast, relax. When words flow too quickly, relax. When the conversation heats up, relax. When anger seethes, relax.
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Death
“You aren’t ready to live until you are ready to die.” — Ray Eberle My days in the book of Matthew completed. The last chapters are like the last days of our lives. Death is the reality.
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One Pill One Book
In my left palm is a white $200 pill. Its purpose is to prevent kidneys from producing testosterone, a food prostate cancer delights in eating. The prescription is to take four pills each day, totaling $800.
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Five Daily Gratitudes
Research suggests gratitude helps beat cancer. Dr. John Gottman has proven through extensive testing that when the heart jumps over 100 beats per minute when angry, the ability to solve problems diminishes.
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Wake in Darkness
When I awaken in darkness in the middle of the night with a sudden thought that cancer will defeat me, fear grips my heart like a villain.
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Never Ever Quit
Never ever be discouraged Never quit Never ever let cancer win Never stop loving people Never cease to love God & His Son One of the greatest men in the 20th century was Pope John Paul, the first…
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Crowell’s War on Cancer
“Cancer cannot steal my joy, rob me of hope, or destroy my love for life and people.” The past decade has been some of the best years of my life.
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Dear Fellow Cancer Fighters:
This morning the candle is lit here in my home office. Prayers for your courage, faith, and hope have been offered to our loving Heavenly Father in the glorious name of Jesus.
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Recovery Rate
The best athlete in my lifetime of coaching was gentle and kind, yet super competitive, his name was Jonathon Stringier. Jonathon was our star center at the U of Alaska.
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Joy of Fatherhood
What are the two most important qualities of father excellence in teaching Lifeball to children? My life experience in being a teacher/coach and a father, tell me children crave father figure leadership.
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Truth Is Dead, Not God
There was a time in my life when transcendent truth, or absolutes, was accepted as reality. Not today. Such acceptance is dead and gone. Today what matters is one’s personal opinion, not another’s opinion.
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Mathematical Analysis of the Human Condition
No one would expect a university physical education major to attempt to analyze the human condition mathematically! Well, here we go! At least the analysis will be crystal clear simple, and hopefully accurate.
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Hope Luv – Says Hello
If dogs could bark in human language, I am convinced my new little pup would bark words of Hope to you. Of course, she would be inspired by her name, HOPE LUV.
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Every Single Black Life Matters
We are in an intense and painful season of humanity. As a former basketball coach, I need to call a TIMEOUT. Coaches know teams need to reset when the game gets out of control.
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Quicksand?
A friend said to me, “I feel like I am walking in quicksand because life is so difficult these days.” Quicksand is soft, cannot support weight, and has the ability to trap a person.
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Traveling Lightly
LIFE IS A RACE. For some, this means a long-distance marathon (maybe a decathlon?); for others, 400-meter hurdles. Too many live only long enough to run a 100-meter dash.
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Without God, Without Hope
With bold confidence, strong conviction, passion, and compassion, I, Fred Crowell, proclaim without God and His hope, I have no firepower to beat cancer, nothing but anger about CV-19, and deep sorrow for the current hardships facing the…
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Love Is Learned Behavior
Hundreds, possibly thousands of times, NBC camp students have told me these words, “I know my father loves me but I have never heard him say, I love you.” Why is this so?
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May I Please Have My Opinion?
In today’s national crisis, everyone seems to want to express their opinion. Have you noticed this? Even all the pro athletes.
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You Can’t
Have you ever been told you can’t do it? I hope you replied, “ Yes, I can! “ A Crowell Core Value: Never let anyone or anything stop you from doing what God has asked you to do…
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Human Nature: Is Man Good or Evil?
Years ago in a graduate psychology class, my professor said, “I am going to ask a controversial question.
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Hopeless to Hopeful
Imagine the hopelessness one would experience under the following conditions: Stay of execution although standing before a firing squad Ten years in prison Death of wife Death of a favorite brother A debt of approximately $850,000 Obligation to…
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An Elegant, Profound Question
After reading yesterday’s blog entitled, Prepare for Battle, my special friend in Mexico asked, “How can I identify the enemy besides CV-19?” Enemy identification is difficult because the enemy is crafty .
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Prepare for Battle
Today you and I are at war! The battle is raging and seeking to destroy us! There are forces who oppose us! Do you know your enemies? If not, I urge you to identify them.
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People Are Like a Loaf of Bread
Bread has been on my mind. As a boy, mom’s homemade bread was worth dying for. Then, for many years my wife had Mondays as her homemade bread day.
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What Every Child Should Learn – Love Work
The older I get, the more I learn about life. The happiest people I meet and the most unpleasant people I observe confirm to me that it is not hard work but loving to work hard that is…
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Thank God It’s Friday
We build our personal world within the global world with the words that proceed from our mouths. So, if words matter as I believe they do, perhaps the idiom TGIF is not a great thing.
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The Incomprehensible Mystery of God
Doubtlessly, humans were created to think and act with logic in mind. If it makes sense and is understandable, in today’s world it becomes acceptable.
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Mind Management Self-discipline
There was a time in my life I detested all pain. It was to be avoided at all costs. Certainly nothing good about it! Yet I discovered it could not be avoided.
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Hard Lessons to Learn from Former Leaders
In his day, Job was a leader; in fact, a terrific leader. He was one many people sought counsel from until his own world crashed on him.
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It Is Well with My Soul
One of my most favorite songs is “It Is Well with My Soul.” The lyrics are what I need, sometimes several times a day.
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Today’s Light
My 20% PMA advantage plan today is gratitude. I am thankful I am alive with a strong heartbeat and breathing ability.
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Mothers
How does a boy become a man without a good mother? This is a mystery to me. When I journeyed to my secret place or the place I also call the secret garden, I held the notion that…
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Phenomenology – the 20% Life Experience Advantage
Doctor Shann Ferch, my highly esteemed, intellectual son-in-law, introduced me to Phenomenology (phe·nom·e·nol·o·gy). He is also respected as my daughter Jennifer’s husband and cherished father to their three miracle daughters.
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Hope – Help from You
A wise professional athlete said, “The stars are not the athletes because without fans there would be no professional sports; fans are the true stars.” The true star in the miracle story of the Words of Hope book…
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Hope Wins, Cv-19 Loses
When fear grows in me at the least unexpected time (now concerning CV-19), I go to my secret place, my secret garden.
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One Pair of Hands
Today my remarkable friend, Dr. Caviezel, sent me “One Pair of Hands” sung by Carroll Roberson. Incredible, inspiration, uplifting! Dr. Jim knows something about a pair of hands.
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Looking for a New Job?
The world’s best organization is looking for good people who are difference makers. Not long ago, in a Words of Hope, I spoke to the idea of kindness being described as useful goodness.
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The Two Way Mirror
Mirror Mirror in my hand who has a pure clean glass that can show reflection in two directions; first at me; second to my world set before me.
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Examination of the Heart
The Psalmist said, “The Lord knows everything about us.” Imagine being able to say, “You know everything about me, even before I say it, and exclaim, such knowledge is too wonderful!
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Can’t – Never Did Anything | Can – Does Almost Everything
Long ago when my dad was in school one of the basketball games fan chants was: “Ash can, tin can, who can, we can beat Everett…Bellingham… Mt.
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The Life Elevator
Yes, in life we are either going up, going down, or not moving! Just like a mechanical elevator.
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Happiness Is…
Happiness is: an emotion of joy a feeling of merriment absence of anxiety an attitude a decision encouragement a smile kindness purposeful practiced a learned behavior a choice commitment If happiness encompasses all these virtues, no wonder happiness…
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Whatever Happened to Crazy?
One of the funniest comedians Jay Crowell and I enjoy is Chris Rock. In one of his monologues he makes his famous toothy, wide-eyed look; then declares, “Whatever happened to crazy?” It so fun; so good to laugh.…
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Thy Kingdom Come
A basketball coaches analysis of the Lord’s Prayer. Based on the prayer instruction of Jesus, how is it possible to have His Kingdom come and His Will be done here on earth?
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You Must Be Born Two Times
How does the title of the word of hope strike you? Is there a word that stands out to you? For me, the standout word is, must .
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Unashamed
Shame is the demon that haunts all of humanity. When you name it, you can beat it. Years ago, I was in a master’s educational psychology class. One evening, the professor asked an elegant question.
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Coach Crowell’s Gratitude Story
The year 1999 is the year the gratitude story began. The world was in disarray. Brilliant minds predicated the world economy was going to collapse because the world of technology was not equipped to deal with a new…
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Memento Mori
MEMENTO MORI is the Latin for “Remember your death.” Three important men of the past reminded us of this. St.
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Logic and Emotions
Most people make emotional decisions and try to justify them with logic. The crucial decision-making question is, am I making an emotional or a logical decision?
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Living in the Moment
I am sure you have discovered, as I have these past years, that having a fulfilling profession, a joyful marriage, doing daily exercises, and staying away from diet no-no’s can all be difficult.
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You Make Your Own Weather
Settling for the story: Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama 1977 a conversation between Fred Crowell, Basketball Coach & Dr. Joseph King, 88-year-old professor emeritus ensues. “Good morning Dr. King,” smiled Coach Crowell.
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Hey World, How Is Your Pma?
If we don’t protect our minds and hearts the negativity of the world will rob us of our positive mental attitude!
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Dwell Together in Unity
The world’s pandemic has forced isolation upon us with a heartless vengeance. This isolation for the vast majority of Americans changed our lives in dramatic ways; some positive; some negative.
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Depression – the Black Box
Sir Winston Churchill, given to depression, called it the Black Box. This Black Box is too deep to climb out of by sheer human strength and effort. The sides of the box are slippery, the walls, high.
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Pain – Friend or Foe
Is it possible to get through life without experiencing pain? Seems every story has an element of pain in the narrative. Let’s imagine being able to be totally pain-free. Wow! Awesome – sounds wonderful.
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Protect Your Mind
“But Jesus didn’t trust them because He knew human nature.” – St. John The words “protection” and “guard” have been on my mind and my heart these past days.
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Death Is Not the Enemy-the Enemy Is Not Living
Hey, wanna come over for dinner tonight and have a meaningful discussion about death? How about a conversation over a latte about what you want to see happen at your funeral?
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Breathing with Intelligence
When a baby was born years ago, the doctor encouraged the initial breathing by spanking the baby. Why? To breathe is to live. Breathing is life.
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THE ACID TEST (An Idiom)
Our present-day English language is rather difficult to learn because we use so many idioms. These are words or expressions not having meaning unless the context is understood.
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Crowell’s Law – Twice Good
It is not good enough for a son to become as good as his father or a daughter to become as good as her mother. Good enough means being twice as good!
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No Crucifixion, No Resurrection
No pain no gain No sorrow no joy No work no pay No crooked line no straight line No hate no love No late no on time No defeat no victory The Scriptures say.
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Drink Water
“Two types of drinkable water. Water from God’s earth and water from GOD’S heart – we need both.” Key Statement: “Fred, your bones want water, drink 120 ounces daily.” – Susan Reynolds’s, Endermologist Up to 60% of the…
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NBC Camps Delivers Hope
A great high school coach told me many years ago, “If NBC had a finger painting class my 3 children would be there.
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What Is Hope? How to Make It Work for You.
St. Paul said, “Hope is one of the three most important words…” He used an anchor as a metaphor for hope. St.
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The Profound Declaration
I AM WHO I AM is a profound declaration. It is an ultimate statement, an eternal constant, not contingent upon anyone or circumstance. It is the greatest truth or the greatest lie.
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Boys to Men
Words of Wisdom for All Boys Dr. James Jones, a leader of youth, once told me, “There are four vital foundations to govern your life by.” Control your environment.
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State of Life Address to the four most important people in my life
Dear and Lovely Crowell’s, my A-Team! You have expanded the A-Team to a United Team of 11 Saints.
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Messenger – Messages
“If people accept the message, they will embrace the messenger. If people reject the message, they will reject the messenger.” -S.
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We Saw Giants
“We were like grasshoppers in our own sight and so we were in their sight.” – Numbers 13:33b An essential element in preparing for a basketball game is scouting the enemy.
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Human Being or Human Doing?
“What is man that you are mindful of him?” Circumstances have motivated me to do some existential self-diagnosis.
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Westerners Have Watches
An African proverb says, “Westerners have watches, Africans have time.” The meaning: Africans work with goals and targets but do not relate them to a time deadline. Therefore, there is no hurry in Africa.
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Dry up! Game On!
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” I’m reminded of a time when my fourth graders were playing for the city championship.
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The Law of Forgiveness
The universe is governed by laws. Obedience to the law preserves life. Disobedience to these laws may lead to destruction. Three things you need to know about the laws of the universe.
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Something Better
The strength and integrity of a company or an individual are the associations they are able to develop. Cornerstone Home Lending is one of the finest companies in the USA to help families finance their homes.
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Not Havin’ Any
The Crowell-Ferch family delights in really good movies. The great ones we watch over and over again. Over 30 years ago, SILVERADO was a family favorite. Brian Dennehy played a rugged, tough sheriff.
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The Biblical Law of Self-worth
Self-worth is the belief that our lives have value and significance . However, how do we know our own worth? Do we look to ourselves or others in order to grasp our value?
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The Law of Psycho Cybernetics
Spending a lifetime career as a “Basketball-ologist” has given me an advantage in the world of “Ologists.” This is because competitive athletics forces the coach to be results-oriented, not theory-driven.
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The Adventure of Living, Part 2
One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure. Where can we apply this adventure of living to our everyday life should there be obstacles?
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A Healthy Coach Has Character
This guest Words of Hope is written by Janice Foland. OUR KIDS NEED HEALTHY COACHES WITH CHARACTER. How do we select healthy coaches for our kids?
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Thankfulness
THANKFULNESS GRATITUDE CREATION Today is focus time on 3 impactful words! First, is the idea of thankfulness. It is impossible to have a negative attitude and be thankful. Thanklessness is a terrible robber of peace and contentment.
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Existential Diagnosis of Self-love, Part 2
For the best subconscious nanosecond’s response, I suggest these four literary prose are worth reading repeatedly. They will support our inward peace and rest.
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Existential Diagnosis of Self-love, Part 1
The legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus reportedly said: “You cannot become a great golfer until you have the skill to watch yourself hitting the golf ball.” This is like taking your eyes out of your head and watching yourself…
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Out of Egypt
This Words of Hope blog is especially for those who are experiencing hardship or helping another who is experiencing hardship, feeling defeated.
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Walk It, Don’t Talk It
“If you know it and you don’t do it, you don’t know it.” – Mike Nilson The Apostle James short book on walking your talk reminds me of a college basketball game.
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One or Two Fisted Living
Solomon has wisdom for those of us willing to listen, learn and do. “Fools fold their hands leading to ruin.” And yet.
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Boomerang
Today’s culture uses “boomerang” in many settings, especially over the Internet. It is a phenomenon today, a cause and effect, a return to the originator.
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Winning Is Not Luck or Accidental
“That was a fluke!” When someone said that, did you believe them? Was it a freak course of nature? Yet, winning is never pure luck or accidental. Rather, winning is learned behavior .
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Conscious Contact
In retrospect, maybe even Super Bowl players (winners or losers) see improvements needed in their play. In life, we are never perfect!
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Month of February
FEBRUARY is the second month of the year in the Gregorian calendar and its predecessor, the Julian calendar.
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Not My Plan
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord; when he delights in His way…” – Psalm 37 Children are remarkably amazing.
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Miracle Searches
The difference between an Elegant question and a factual question. Elegant question – How many miracles can you see while looking at the moon? Factual question – Can you see the moon in the photo?
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Mindful Management & Self-regulation, Part 3
I believe Mindful Management and Self-Regulation are life’s two most difficult skills to master. St.
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Mindful Management & Self-regulation, Part 2
One great mind once said, “If you spend 15 minutes a day in Mindful Management with Self-Regulation, you will be able to solve nearly all of your problems.” Fifteen minutes!
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Mindful Management & Self-regulation, Part 1
I have been privileged to spend many years educating, encouraging, inspiring and challenging youth. The foremost life skills have been: I have been privileged to spend many years educating, encouraging, inspiring and challenging youth.
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God Sent a Man
Who was this man? What was His meaning and purpose in life? Two profound questions for the ages. The questions were relevant when John wrote them around 90 AD.
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Running Running Running
“Days at times can be very long, however, in the end, life is too short.” -FJC Often we hear the phrase, I am too busy .
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If-then Principle
KEY STATEMENT: Every IF statement is usually followed with a THEN. If you read Daily Words of Hope at a minimum, there will be one then .
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Space Phenomena
Without space, life is absent from rhythm. Life is rhythm therefore life is dead without rhythm. Space is integral to life. Living in the USA is a precious gift for millions of people.
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FORGIVENESS FRIDAY – Our Get Out of Jail Card
The Crowell Game Changer program dedicated each Friday to conscious level living forgiveness. Forgiveness is or get out of jail free card.
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Van Gogh – Loving People
Some amazing quotes by one of my favorite artists: “I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” “Keep your love of nature, for that is the true way to understand art more and…
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Operate in Peace
Who God Says I am, is far more important than who you, or who I, say I am. In the early 1980’s I was invited to speak at Cordova schools.
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Foundational Principles
Knowledge and understanding of the following three principles give meaning and purpose to life. Foundational Principle #1 Where did I come from when I was born? Foundational Principle #2 What am I doing here?
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Dear, Crowell Words of Hope Team
My dream of Hope is realized in, helping me, help you , help others. One of the most hopeless feelings is to lack the resources to help one in need or have them refuse to listen and receive…
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Willing to Negotiate
“Never fear to negotiate and never negotiate in fear.” JFK 1960 Inaugural Address. Rhetoric is the skill to clearly present in the written or spoken word, your philosophy, opinions, ideas and points of view.
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Is Your Quiver Full
In the days of old a quiver full of quality arrows was a must. It was the difference between life and death. The Psalmist used a quiver as a simile for a man having many sons.
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Logic Requires Imagination Imagination Needs Logic
Logic is like dry toast. Toast with butter and jam is like logic soaked with imagination. Dry toast gives nourishment. Toast with butter and jam provides nourishment and delight.
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Truth Truism
Tell me, promotes learning – I know, stops learning. The other day at the Oncology clinic several of us were in a conversation.
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Had Enough Yet, America?
Where is the hope? Years ago an international student from a country suffering terrorism and killings told me, “Once terrorism and killing start, it is virtually impossible to stop.” On Fox News, an articulate student pleaded with his…
