The things I was allowed to experience, the people I was able to

Curt Schilling, warrior of the diamond, once looked back upon the road of his life and confessed with awe: “The things I was allowed to experience, the people I was able to call friends, teammates, mentors, coaches and opponents, the travel, all of it, are far more than anything I ever thought possible in my lifetime.” In these words is the song of gratitude, the recognition that a life’s riches are not counted in trophies or fame, but in the souls one meets, the lessons one learns, and the unexpected doors that open through perseverance and fate.

The origin of this saying lies in Schilling’s long career in Major League Baseball. Known for his fiery spirit, his triumphs in the World Series, and his unforgettable performance in the legendary “bloody sock” game, Schilling’s life was one of labor and glory. Yet when reflecting upon it, he did not speak first of his victories, but of the people—friends, mentors, rivals—and of the journeys that shaped him. His words remind us that even in the highest peaks of achievement, it is not the record books that warm the heart, but the bonds forged along the way.

This truth is ancient. Even the heroes of legend, when recounting their lives, rarely speak only of the battles won, but of the companions who stood at their side. Achilles had Patroclus, Alexander had Hephaestion, Arthur had his knights. Greatness shines brighter when shared, and even struggle becomes noble when endured in company. Schilling’s reflection mirrors this ancient wisdom: the treasure of life is not solitary triumph, but the shared journey with others who teach, challenge, and walk beside us.

History, too, bears witness to this lesson. Consider the astronauts of Apollo 11. Though they etched their names into eternity by walking on the moon, what they spoke of later were not only the technical feats or the medals won, but the bonds of friendship and the profound connections made in that moment when humanity reached beyond itself. They too, like Schilling, found that the greatest reward of their extraordinary journey was the sense of belonging to something greater than themselves, alongside others who dared the impossible.

Schilling’s words also remind us of the power of humility. He does not speak as if all that he received was earned solely by his own hand, but as something he was allowed to experience. The word “allowed” carries a sense of grace, of gift, of something beyond entitlement. It is the recognition that life’s blessings are not only the fruits of personal effort, but also of fortune, of timing, of the kindness and support of others. Such humility transforms success into gratitude, and gratitude into wisdom.

The lesson for us is clear: measure the wealth of your life not by the titles you achieve, but by the people who walk beside you, the places your journey takes you, and the unexpected gifts that come when you pursue your calling with faithfulness. Trophies gather dust, but friendships endure; fame fades, but gratitude strengthens the soul. To live well is to see each day as more than you thought possible, and to recognize that the greatest prize is not what you hold, but who you become through the journey.

Practically, this means nurturing gratitude in all seasons of life. Seek mentors and honor them. Cherish your teammates—whether in sports, in work, or in family—and celebrate the bonds that carry you through hardship. Respect even your opponents, for they sharpen your skill and reveal your strength. And when you travel—whether across the world or simply across the road—open your heart to the lessons that await you. In doing so, you will discover, as Schilling did, that life is always richer and deeper than you first imagined.

Thus, Curt Schilling’s words endure as testimony: “All of it is far more than anything I ever thought possible in my lifetime.” Let them inspire us to see beyond the surface of our own striving. For the true glory of life is not in what we win, but in whom we meet, what we learn, and how deeply we give thanks for the journey. In gratitude, we find peace. In shared experience, we find meaning. And in the simple wonder of it all, we find life itself.