From the Publisher

I lean into the aisle seeing the cockpit door from my seat 8D as the 737 enters the runway. The engines get loud, and I'm pushed back in my seat as we pick up speed. The nose comes up and then we are off the ground. I have done it too many times to even count. This time I keep looking at the cockpit door. I have an idea of what is going on in there but don't know all the details. I can't see the pilots, but I have faith in them. It grows into belief, and it becomes success as we leave the ground.

Jim Valvano got his first NCAA basketball coaching job, then told his Dad he was going to win the NCAA championship. The next time he visited his parents, Valvano was asked to come into his parents' bedroom. His Dad pointed to a suitcase and told him, "My bags are packed to go to the NCAA tournament." In 1980, Valvano became the head coach of North Carolina State University's basketball team. One of his first practices did not require basketballs. He had the team "cutting down the nets" like you do when you win a championship. He did it again the start of the following season and again. None of those players could see it yet, but he believed. In 1983, needing to win the ACC tournament to qualify for the NCAA championship tournament, NC State did so by coming from behind in most games. Qualifying, and then with an historic upset, won the 1983 NCAA Basketball Championship. Valvano, with his father's example to learn from, went on to share his faith and belief with his players and with the nation watching, witnessed its success.

Eighth grade was coming to an end, and the high school principal came down to address our class. We gathered in the gymnasium of the old middle school. I had always been an average student, mostly C's, some B's and an occasional A. Mr. Shaw, high school principal, shared with us there would be challenges in the coming years but the most exciting part was it was a new beginning. Whatever had happened before did not matter. The next four years were what was important. I applied myself in a different way getting straight A's during my freshman year and graduated with high honors. Mr. Shaw, without even knowing me, declared his faith in me. That belief grew and changed my life. I always wanted to thank him but when I moved back to town, I found out he had passed away. A few years later I discovered I knew his daughter and I got to thank him, through her, for what he had done.

Mom and I were having our regular visit. She asked me, for the third time in 20 minutes, what I was up to. I shared that I was going to paint my front door. My Mom is basically blind, and she has never seen my new place or my front door. I asked her what color should I paint it, white or gray? Immediately she responded, "I think gray. That would look the best."

For many years, I have not been able to share what was on my heart, ask for that special advice, be uplifted by the lady who has always shared her faith and belief in me. I got a gift on that day. I got words of encouragement from someone I thought I would never hear from again. I left her adult family home and stopped by the hardware store. Bought a quart of gray paint and painted my front door. Faith brought belief and built success once again.

Finding something to believe in is not always easy, and someone who has faith and believes in you is even harder to find. Take the time to show appreciation for those who have planted faith and demonstrated belief in you. Make an effort to share your faith in someone else and your belief in their success. You will make a difference in a life (yours and theirs.) Don't put it off.

I believe in you!