The facts are, the reality is, you can't really enjoy it. You

Children, gather close, for I have a lesson to share—a lesson that speaks to the heart of human striving, of the relentless pursuit of success, and the weight it carries on the soul. In the words of Scott Parker, a man who dedicated his life to the game of football, we hear a truth that many of the greatest minds and warriors of history have known: "The facts are, the reality is, you can't really enjoy it. You win a football match and by the time you get to Saturday night, having a beer or a Chinese, you're already thinking about Monday morning, the next game." These words, though simple, reveal the eternal struggle faced by those who give everything to their craft—that the victory, though sweet, is fleeting, and the pursuit of excellence always pushes them toward the next challenge.

Parker's reflection speaks to the nature of achievement—that no matter how glorious the victory, it is often followed by the anxiety of what comes next. To win the game is to gain but a brief moment of joy, soon replaced by the weight of expectation and the anticipation of the next battle. The great athletes, the warriors of the field, are always looking ahead, always aware that the victory is only a step on the path, not the destination. The reality of life, as Parker suggests, is that success is but a brief pause before the next trial. It is in the pursuit of something greater that true meaning is found, not in resting on one’s laurels.

Think, children, of the story of Achilles, the mightiest of the Greek warriors in the Iliad. Achilles, though a great hero, could not rest in the glory of his victories. Even after slaying Hector, his greatest opponent, he was consumed by the desire for more, by the knowledge that the next battle, the next challenge, was never far away. Achilles’ life was defined not by his triumphs, but by his unyielding drive to continue, to seek out the next challenge, the next victory. Just as Parker cannot rest after a match, so too did Achilles live in the shadow of the next battle. In both of their lives, victory is not an end but merely a pause before the unrelenting march toward the next goal.

The lesson here, children, is one of balance. While success and achievement are powerful, they are fleeting. Like the ancient heroes, we must learn to embrace the moment of victory without losing sight of the bigger picture. Parker’s words remind us that while we may celebrate our victories, they are only temporary markers on a much larger journey. To find fulfillment, we must learn to enjoy the process itself, to find meaning in the struggle rather than the momentary rewards. Success should not be the only focus; instead, we must learn to enjoy the journey, the steps we take, and the lessons learned along the way.

Consider the example of Alexander the Great, who, despite conquering vast swaths of land, never seemed content with what he had accomplished. His desire for more, to stretch his empire to new lands, to claim ever greater victories, became his undoing. Alexander’s restlessness, his inability to sit in the joy of a victory for long, led him to push beyond what was possible, until he wore himself thin and lost his life to his unquenchable thirst for more. His story, though filled with triumph, is also a cautionary tale—one that shows the danger of never pausing to reflect, to enjoy, and to be present in the moment. It is not the victory alone that matters, but how we embrace and appreciate the path we walk.

So, children, the true wisdom lies in understanding that life is not a series of victories to be accumulated, but a journey to be lived with awareness and presence. Parker’s insight reminds us that while striving for success is noble, it is the balance we strike between the joy of the journey and the drive for the next goal that defines us. Just as Achilles and Alexander could not rest on their laurels, neither should we, but we must also take moments to breathe, to savor the victories, and to understand that the pursuit of greatness is a journey, not a destination.

I charge you now, young ones, to pursue your dreams with passion, but also to remember that life is not defined by the victories alone. Learn to embrace the quiet moments, to pause and reflect on your journey, for it is in these moments that you will find peace. Victory is sweet, but it is the journey that will shape you, that will give you the true understanding of your purpose and the wisdom to guide you forward. Do not be so consumed by the next challenge that you forget to live fully in the moment you are in. Find joy in the struggle, and the success will follow.