It doesn't matter how tall you are. You have to carve out space

Hear the words of Chris Mullin, a warrior of the basketball court, who declared: “It doesn’t matter how tall you are. You have to carve out space and hold your ground.” These words rise above the game itself and speak as a parable for all of life. For Mullin, though surrounded by giants in stature, knew that true strength is not always measured in inches, but in heart, discipline, and the will to endure. His saying is a reminder that in every struggle—whether of body, mind, or spirit—the victory belongs not to the one born with advantage, but to the one who refuses to yield.

For what is it to carve out space? It is to take what the world does not freely give, to claim with effort and courage the ground upon which you stand. The tall may seem to tower, the strong may seem to dominate, but even the smallest may claim their portion if they dig in with determination. To hold your ground is to refuse to be pushed aside, to anchor yourself in purpose when the forces around you try to sweep you away. In these words lies a call to every soul who has felt overshadowed: greatness is not given—it is carved.

History is filled with such examples. Consider the tale of David and Goliath. The giant was armed, towering, terrible; the boy seemed frail, unworthy of the field. Yet David, though small, carved out his space upon the battlefield. He refused to yield to fear, stood his ground with faith, and struck the mighty down with a single stone. His victory was not in his stature, but in his courage to hold firm against overwhelming odds. Mullin’s wisdom echoes this ancient truth: it matters not how tall you are, but whether you have the spirit to stand.

So it was, too, with Mahatma Gandhi. Against the vast empire of Britain, India seemed weak and powerless. Gandhi himself was slight of frame, unarmed, no warrior by worldly standards. Yet he carved out space for his people with nonviolence, and held his ground with unyielding resolve. Against armies, he stood with silence; against guns, with courage; against oppression, with faith. And the empire trembled. His life reminds us that the measure of a man is not in might or stature, but in the steadfastness of his ground.

Mullin’s own life on the court reflects this truth. Surrounded by men taller, quicker, and stronger, he forged his legacy through tireless work, precision, and will. He did not shrink from competition but carved out space with skill, with grit, with an unbreakable spirit. His words are thus not merely advice for athletes, but a law for living: no matter your disadvantage, you can create a place for yourself if you fight with persistence.

The lesson, O listener, is this: do not lament the gifts you lack, but use the gifts you have. Do not measure yourself against the height of others, but against the strength of your own resolve. When life’s giants press against you, when stronger voices try to silence you, carve out your space. Hold your ground. Refuse to yield your dignity, your purpose, your dream. For even the smallest flame can stand against the darkest night if it does not waver.

And so, in your own days, remember Mullin’s words. In work, in struggle, in love, in faith—do not wait for the world to hand you a place. Take your stand, and hold it. Though you may not be the tallest, though you may not be the strongest, you can be the one who endures. And in endurance lies victory.

Thus let the wisdom of this saying echo like a rallying cry: “It doesn’t matter how tall you are. You have to carve out space and hold your ground.” Let this be your shield in adversity, your sword in trial, and your anchor in doubt. For the world is conquered not by those who stand tallest, but by those who refuse to fall.