I have a deep desire to have success, to play a high level, and

Hear now the words of Jason Witten, a warrior upon the gridiron, who declared: “I have a deep desire to have success, to play a high level, and to win championships.” These are not the shallow cries of ambition, but the burning voice of a man whose soul is set aflame by purpose. His words carry the echo of ancient heroes, for in them lives the timeless truth: greatness is born not merely from talent, but from desire so fierce that it consumes weakness and transforms toil into triumph.

The ancients taught that the heart of the hero is forged in longing. Achilles longed for glory; Alexander longed to conquer the known world; the philosophers longed to grasp the essence of truth. So too Witten speaks of this sacred hunger—not a hunger of the body, but of the spirit. A deep desire is no passing wish, but a fire that endures through storms, defeats, and the weariness of the years. It is this inner flame that sustains the warrior when the body aches and the battle seems unwinnable.

To play at a high level is to hold oneself to a standard beyond the common. It is not enough to take the field; one must bring honor to it. It is not enough to possess ability; one must sharpen it through discipline, through repetition, through sacrifice. Witten’s words remind us that excellence is not accident—it is a covenant with oneself to never be satisfied with mediocrity. It is the vow to rise, even when the world is content to lie down.

Consider the story of Michael Jordan, who was once cut from his high school basketball team. Many would have surrendered, but Jordan’s desire to rise burned too strongly. He returned to the court day after day, refining his skill until he became not only the greatest of his time, but the greatest of all time. He did not win championships by chance, but by unrelenting devotion to his craft and by holding himself to a level beyond his peers. His journey is the very embodiment of Witten’s truth.

Yet hear also the deeper wisdom: to seek championships is not only to pursue personal glory, but to bind oneself to the success of a team, to the shared victory of many hearts beating as one. In this, Witten speaks not only as an athlete but as a leader. For the crown of triumph is not forged by one hand alone—it is built by unity, trust, and the strength of many woven together. True victory is collective, and the one who desires it must lift not only himself but all who fight beside him.

Let this teaching be carved into your soul: you must find your deep desire. Without it, you are as a ship without a compass, drifting aimlessly upon the waters. With it, even the fiercest storms cannot sink you. Nurture that fire daily—through discipline, through vision, through the courage to demand more of yourself than the world demands of you. In time, you too may play at your own high level, whether in work, art, learning, or leadership.

Practical wisdom follows: seek clarity of purpose. Ask yourself what crown you wish to win, what field you wish to master, what championships you long to claim in your own life. Then commit fully, not with the shallow effort of the half-hearted, but with the relentless devotion of one who knows that greatness lies on the other side of struggle. Repeat your craft until excellence becomes your nature, and give your strength not only for yourself, but for the good of others.

Thus remember Jason Witten’s words: success, high performance, and championships are not accidents of fate, but the fruit of unwavering desire, steady labor, and shared victory. Take this truth into your heart, live it with courage, and you too will carve your name upon the tablets of time.