Prof John Nash 1994 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences Acceptance Address

Nash:

"Thank you.

I've always believed in numbers and the equations and logics that lead to reason. But after a lifetime of such pursuits, I ask,
"What truly is logic?"
"Who decides reason?"

My quest has taken me through the physical, the metaphysical, the delusional -- and back. And I have made the most important discovery of my career, the most important discovery of my life:

It is only in the mysterious equations of love that any logic or reasons can be found.
I'm only here tonight because of you [his wife, Alicia].
You are the reason I am.
You are all my reasons.
Thank you".

(From: A Beautiful Mind, 2002)

My favourite lines are in red. I was moved to tears everytime I hear this speech.

Today's Devotion

Proverbs 29:1-11, The Bible
Verse 1: A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.
Verse 11: A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back.

I admit I have always had an issue with the display of anger. I am angry, angry with stupid system, angry with stupid people, angry with that stupid taxi driver that cuts in with no warning, angry with that stupid moron who share his shit and smoke in the toilet cubicle. Man...I really have a problem! Someone please kill me now!

My anger has cost me my marriage, my family, my wife, my son, my future...if I allow it to rob me further.
No, I intend to do something about it - today. I will start to deal with it again - now. Like verse 1, I have hardened my neck after much reproof. I have been discouraged and dismayed over my failure to overcome this handicap call anger. But I know deep within that I am not broken beyond remedy. God is not finished with me yet. The Great Weaver still needs me on the easel. The Principal of the School of Hard Knocks still needs my class attendance and projects. I know I am not done because He is not done.

So, Mr Anger, watch out! I am coming back! Round two won't be a walk-over for you now.
I will put up a defense against your on-slaught, in order to protect all that which is dear to me - my wife, my son, my gifts, my ministry, my calling, my vocation, my destiny! Watch your goal post!!

I also notice that the Word of God did not say, "...but a wise man did not have or will not have - anger". The Word says he holds it back, despite having the anger. I realised that being angry is a very real thing, but staying angry is optional. I will find ways to do that.

Okay, enough of holy holy.

Succeed like a Champion

I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot...and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.
- Michael Jordan
Professional Basketball Player

To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If you're not, pretend you are.
- Muhammad Ali
World Champion Boxer

Change the World

Consciously or unconsciously, every one of us does render some service or other. If we cultivate the habit of doing this service deliberately, our desire for service will steadily grow stronger, and will make, not only our own happiness, but that of the world at large.
- Mahatma Gandhi
1869-1948, Indian Political and Spiritual Leader

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.
- Leo Tolstoy, Russian Writer

The world cares very little about what a man or woman knows; it is what the man or woman is able to do that counts.
-Booker T. Washington
1856-1915, Educator and Reformer

Face Your Fear

When you face your fear, most of the time you will discover that it was not really such a big threat after all. We all need some form of deeply rooted, powerful motivation - it empowers us to overcome obstacles so we can live our dreams.
- Les Brown

Never Quit

Whenever you make a mistake or get knocked down by life, don't look back at it too long. Mistakes are life's way of teaching you. Your capacity for occasional blunders is inseparable from your capacity to reach your goals. No one wins them all, and your failures, when they happen, are just part of your growth.
Shake off your blunders. How will you know your limits without an occasional failure?
Never quit. Your turn will come.

Og Mandino
1923-1996,
From "A Better Way to Live"

Thoughts

Never feel remorse for what you have thought about your wife; she has thought much worse things about you.
- Jean Rostand