I'm back in Baltimore getting ready for a busy two weeks with speeches and building affiliations for ISL/Hope4Life with other professional leagues and professional athletes in the USA.

My short stint in Bermuda last week was progressive and promising as we, the ISL/Hope4Life staff, went through many details for the upcoming ISL season and plans for the Hope4Life membership.

The ISL SuperDraft, being held this Thursday at 7 p.m. at Bootsies comedy club, has made us realise that the season is now just four weeks' away and the need to be prepared is vital. This week I am focusing on a word that I need to pay much attention to.

This word's meaning can cause a negative effect to your life if not used at the right time. The word I am talking about is 'patience' and its definition is: calmness, self-control, relaxation and having the mental strength to endure pain.

Patience is something that I need to practise more of when dealing with people that do not share my same passion for things that I feel is of great importance, especially when helping young people.

Patience is also needed for when I am coaching, playing or dealing with business. I have to learn to be patient with others and understand that I cannot force my ways onto them and I must give them time to absorb what I do and what I am trying to achieve.

Pushing or pulling them would only make them want to change direction.

I also would find myself sitting around getting frustrated and trying to figure out why some people just would not put the work into being great when they clearly have all the tools.

My patience with them in this instance is important, because I must understand that we may all breathe the same air but may walk in different directions

I stress this word is not just for me but also for some of my young people. I know sometimes you get frustrated in the classroom, in sports or at home.

Let's take school and sports for example: many of you spend little time training or studying but want to be given a lot. Many of you train or study your hearts out but do not have the patience to wait for the outcome, so you stop without realising that you are close to seeing the benefits of your hard work.

Some of you get impatient with life, friends, your parents and amazingly your dreams. I know sometimes you sit in your classroom just waiting to get out, having no desire to listen or pay attention to what's being taught on the day. You feel you have other important things to rush too.

Well, my young people this is the time when you need to be patient and have some self-control, because the classroom carries great knowledge and thinking. Going through life without it would cause a great setback in reaching your goals.

I'm here to let you know that many people have had to wait a long time before seeing the results of their hard work.

They had to listen and believe that in time things would come together and their reward for their hard work was near.

Most things in life you have to work for and put time in before you see any rewards.

Having a good understanding of what it will take to get to the other side will be your key.

No matter how hard you are trying, how much work or time it takes, be patient and believe that the end is near and it is closer than you may think. Never lose patience in achieving your goals, friendship or love for someone.

Stay focused and maintain calmness at all times because you are the only one that could steady your boat.

And as I say to many "a sky not looked at is a star not seen."

Until next time!