Struggle in the mainstream culture like Jeremy Lin

Photo credit of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/franciscouhlfelder/6419485905/sizes/m/g

    As a high school student, Jeremy Lin was not only an outstanding student,but also an outstanding basketball player and person! He did not just study and play hard,but he was driven to excel in every part of his life! He proved to the people "who always say no" wrong by not only getting exceptional grades,but also becoming an Asian role model in Christian living as well as sports. He broke all the stereotypes held by Asians and non-Asians by becoming the first major Asian-born international athletic who came from a normal educational program and not a "specialized sports academy." He proved on the professional and international level that Asians are not "sports challenged" or "intellectual nerds." He demonstrated that one can still achieve his or her American Dream.

      http://www.zimbio.com/Jeremy+Lin/articles/eg_QiqL7VoJ/Jeremy+Lin+demand+in+China

    As a student, I often wondered how can I find the right balance between my studies,and time with family and friends? How can I find time to participate in sports or other after-school activities without being too tired or even fail a class? How can I handle all the different demands on my time and energy,and still be a successful student and person? How did Jeremy Lin find balance in his life,and balance between his culture and personal interests?

   As I mentioned in my previous post, Jeremy Lin's mother was often criticized by her friends, because she allowed her son to spend hours and days playing basketball. This was so opposite Oriental thinking where one stresses one's education and studying above "playing" sports or "wasting" time. Many of her friends thought and even said that she should limit his playing basketball. But Jeremy's mom stuck to her opinion and allowed him to play the game he so thoroughly enjoyed. She demanded that he needed to excel in the classroom as well as nurtured his interests to excel on the basketball court. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Lin)

   But how did he do it? Here are some tips to be "self-discipline" like Jeremy Lin:
1.Have a dream- Jeremy Lin is unusual in that he had a dream and set numerous goals for himself to achieve. He wanted to be a good student so he studied hard, and kept up all of his grades so he could enjoy doing what he wanted,such as playing basketball. 
2.Set goals and prioritize issues - Jeremy was driven to set priorities of things that needed to be done,and then do them. He didn't waste time on un-important things. 
3.Self-disciplined- I've learned from him that "self-discipline" was the key to all of it. His culture,parents,pastors,and coaches,preached and demanded that he be disciplined--self-disciplined. It showed up in his getting enough sleep and rest to have enough energy to excel each day. You could see it in the classroom, on the basketball court and even in his relationships. 
4.Get support- he was able seek his dreams his parents,family,teachers,coaches and youth leaders supported his vision,dreams and goals. They supported him in good and bad times. 

Yes, miracles can truly happen if you follow all of Jeremy's footprints-have a dream,set goals, prioritize issues,be self-disciplined,and get support!!