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No. 14

At least half of the Dutch population would only think of one phenomenon when you mention number 14. Especially when it’s related to sports. Johan Cruijff owns the number 14 as he worn it through most of his career at Ajax and the national orange team. However Cruijff is not embraced by all the Dutch like Pele seems to be loved by all Brazilians, or Platini by the French. Maybe because he was never able to win this so highly desired World Cup for our country. Not as a player, nor as a coach. Or maybe because his polarizing actions, and often narcissistic statements. “Before I make a mistake, I don’t make that mistake”. And “In a way I am probably immortal”…

So beyond miracle football and personal controversies Johan Cruijff gave us the most peculiar quotes – often both funny and simply true. “Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is”. The beauty is that his quotes although born around the game of football hold relevance in the game of life. Making things complicated is easy, making complicated things simple is an art. In these days of increased complexities it is crucial to simplify to be confident about making the right choices. Quotes and sayings are popular because they help us think straight and organize our thoughts.

With the beneath ‘count-up’ of 14 quotes I wish you all health and happiness for the new year. May all the right decisions be with you.

1.   “Faith is taking the 1st step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

2.   “Wanting 2 be someone else is a waste of the person you are.” – Kurt Cobain

3.   “3 things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” – Buddha

4.    “Life is a dream 4 the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor.” – Sholom Aleichem

5.   “My grandmother started walking 5 miles a day when she was sixty. She’s ninety-seven now, and we don’t know where the hell she is.” – Ellen DeGeneres

6.   “At the age of 6 I wanted to be a cook. At seven I wanted to be Napoleon. And my ambition has been growing steadily ever since.” – Salvador Dali

7.   “There are no 7 wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million.” – Walt Streightiff

8.   “Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about 8 minutes without air, but only for one second without hope” Anonymous

9.   “If you see ten troubles coming down the road, you can be sure that 9 will run into the ditch before they reach you.” – Calvin Coolidge

10. “Life is 10 percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.” – Lou Holtz

11. “The secret is to work less as individuals and more as a team. As a coach, I play not my eleven best, but my best 11.” –  Knute Rockne

12. “One fool can ask more questions in a minute than 12 wise men can answer in an hour.” – Vladimir Lenin

13. “It’s the most important battle of the 21st century, whether what we have in common is more important than their differences.” – Bill Clinton, at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City, 2013

14. “Every disadvantage has its advantage.” (“Ieder nadeel heb zijn voordeel.” Nummer 14) – Johan Cruijff

Let the 2014 World Cup be won by the team playing the best football. And as much as I hope for Holland, I would put my money on Brazil. Simply because they want it the most.

May the samba be with you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK8M23dsMKY – Johan Cruijff ‘The Total Footballer’Image