This week as we were working around our holiday schedules, we were asked to watch at least one movie that contains elements of what we have been studying in the Master Keys. I chose the movie, Cool Runnings. We were to look for examples of persistence. Well, this movie certainly contained that as the 4 individuals with the help of their mentor, coach John Candy, molded into a cohesive team with a dream of winning a medal as the first Jamaican bobsled team.

They had a burning desire which became their definite major purpose, and which inspired them to do the activities that were necessary just to qualify to even go to the Olympics. The team leader exhibited a positive mental attitude as he convinced himself that he would be able to acquire the help and direction by securing the past Olympiad coach to train their team for success. That help wasn’t forthcoming at first, but he displayed persistence and finally won Coach Candy’s agreement to work with them toward their dream.

Their first written plan of action was the training regimen of Coach Candy, as they used their imagination to believe that the wooden go cart wagon with no wheels that they maneuvered down the hills in Jamaica trying to constantly better their course time would actually get them to Calgary.

Once in Canada, Coach Candy had to use persistence to even acquire a real, though old and dilapidated, bobsled for their trials. They suffered persecution and ridicule at their feeble attempts by some of the other teams, but the dream did not die.

A mastermind alliance was created among the four guys with their coach, even overcoming animosity between two of the members. I believe that another example of a written plan of action was the leader’s constant studying of the course and its turns. His persistence and attention to detail paid off, and their determination was shown by a scene in their hotel room where they used the bathtub to create the idea of the bobsled and they practiced moves in perfect unison for each turn and bend in the course.

Despite a poor first attempt on the real course, they kept their eyes on the prize, and actually had a shot at achieving their dream. Sadly, a crash near the end of the course ended their hopes. However, the story ends on a positive note as they demonstrate their pride and determination by picking up and carrying the wrecked bobsled across the finish line to win the accolades of not only the crowd but the respect of other teams. They came to represent their country, and they did it with honor.

I felt Cool Runnings was a great example of the 4 tiny habits, DMP, PMA, POA, and MMA and persistence toward a worthy ideal. And that, according to Earl Nightingale leads to success.