Fw: [Parenting ABC] When Jeremy Lin Made the TIME 100 List

[M Chen]

-----Original Message-----
From: Winnis Chiang
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 4:03 PM
To: mark chen
Subject: [Parenting ABC] When Jeremy Lin Made the TIME 100 List

TIPS FROM PARENTING ABC
Winnis Chiang, M.A., LMFT
Volume VIII, Issue 5, April 2012

THIS ISSUE: When Jeremy Lin Made the TIME 100 List
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Dear mark,

Jeremy Lin made the list. Our own Christian American Born Chinese
is now one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2012
according to editors of TIME magazine. Whether you agree with the
list, whether you voted for Jeremy's inclusion or not, it is
history to tell your friends!

Let us congratulate Jeremy and his family and give glory to God
because it is 100% the work of God, and it is 100% of Jeremy's
effort.

Here is what Arne Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education, wrote in
the TIME 100 issue about Jeremy Lin, Point Guard.

"Jeremy Lin's story is a great lesson for kids everywhere because
it debunks and defangs so many of the prejudices and stereotypes
that unfairly hold children back. He's dispelled the idea that
Asian-American guards somehow couldn't hack it in the NBA -- and
that being a world-class athlete on the court is somehow at odds
with being an excellent student off the court.

Contrary to what you might read, Jeremy, 23, is no overnight
sensation. In fact, he achieved success the old-fashioned way: he
earned it. He worked hard and stayed humble. He lives the right
way; he plays the right way.

It's great to see good values rewarded in professional sports
because that's not always the case. Often it's the bling, the glam,
the individual that gets celebrated -- not the team and working
together to advance a goal bigger than oneself. Jeremy cares only
about one thing -- winning. And I don't care whether you are an
Asian-American kid, white, black or Hispanic, Jeremy's story tells
you that if you show grit, discipline and integrity, you too can
get an opportunity to overcome the odds."

Duncan has many good points, but I am still disappointed at his
failure to mention miracle and God that Jeremy himeself so often
talked about. Nevertheless, I accept that each person has his/her
own perspective and opinion.

How about you? How do you feel about Jeremy's success? What do you
think? How has all these news affected you and your relationship
with your child?

Since February, I have heard many stories from OBC and ABC. Some
see Jeremy as an inspiration, saying, "If he can do it, so can I
(or my child). There is hope." Others feel additional pressure and
lamented, "This is unreal. My parents now want me to go to Harvard
AND play basketball in the NBA. I just want to give up" or "My
child is just lazy. I am helpless. Sigh."

I believe there are great lessons for us to learn as parents and
children. Jeremy always loves playing basketball and he knows very
well that it is God who made him tall and strong, and gave him
opportunities. He sets priority and focuses on living his life by
the grace and timing of God. His parents encourage and help as much
as they could, instilling their values and convinction. Even though
things did not always make sense, Jeremy continued to work hard
towards his goal and he was ready to seize opportunities.

Everything is in God's control. Yet we have to do our part. For
example, Queen Esther risked her life when challenged by her uncle,
"And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for
such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)

Interestingly, when Tim Tebow (24), Quarterback made the list, it
is Lin who wrote the essay in TIME 100 on his fellow Christian
athlete. I find the following essay pretty revealing about
Jeremy's own value system and belief.

"Watching Tim Tebow play football, you can observe many things
about his character. You see his fierce competitiveness, his strong
work ethic and how he is a leader that his teammates trust and
respect.

But it is the qualities that Tim, 24, embodies in his life off the
field that truly set him apart. He is unashamed of his convictions
and faith, and he lives a life that consistently reflects his
values, day in and day out. Through his foundation, he constantly
reaches out to people and communities in need of hope. He realizes
what he has been blessed with and seeks to help those who are worse
off. As athletes, we pour our hearts into winning games. Tim is a
reminder that life is about much more than that."

When Jeremy made the list, I feel proud because he has lived out
his potential as a follower of Christ. Even though he faces
temptation and has struggles and weaknesses like the rest of us,
Jeremy has returned to Christ. I need to look beyond the ups and
downs of daily life and trust God moment by moment.

Since I asked you to vote for Jeremy, I want to share my excitement
and gratefulness with you. Please continue to pray for Lin, Tebow,
and other young people to follow Christ. When we are in the world
but not of the world, we are being salt and light of this world.

Please give me feedback by filling in the blanks below.

When Jeremy Lin Made the 2012 TIME 100 List,
I feel __________________________________,
I think _________________________________,
I need _________________________________,
And I am going to do ______________________
and say ________________________________
to my child (or spouse) so that I can help him/her constructively
instead of tearing him/her apart destructively.

If you write me by midnight (PST) Thursday, May 10th, your name
will be entered into a drawing to win a zero-cost 30-minute phone
coaching session on couples or parent-child relationship.

May God bless you and your family!
Winnis

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Reprinting this Article and Contacting Winnis

You can use the articles from [Parenting ABC] as long as you
include a complete attribution and, whenever possible, a live link
to our website. Please notify Winnis where and when the material
will appear. The attribution should include this information:

Winnis Chiang, LMFT and founder of ParentingABC.com, specializes in
helping Mandarin and Cantonese speaking high-tech Christian parents
to get along with, enjoy, equip and influence their American born
Chinese children.

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Winnis Chiang, M.A.
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Founder and Director of Parenting ABC
925-806-8600
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