Game Time

This writing is Certified Human

“No man is more unhappy than he who never faces adversity. For he is not permitted to prove himself.” — Seneca

The Obstacle

We don’t always feel our best
We can’t control sickness
Injuries
Or how motivated we are.

We will want to quit
Call it in
Not play.

We are accountable ourselves
Others rely on us
To be there
To play
To give it our best
If we are able.

It can challenging to show up
When we’re feeling bad
We will make excuses
Surrender to discomfort
If we allow ourselves.

We must make the choice
To show up
Or give in.

Is this just discomfort
Or will this truly hurt us.

The Gift and Opportunity

We know our bodies
And mind
We know the difference
Between pain and injury.

We know how sick we are
If we’re able to perform
Through the discomfort.

We can choose to participate
Without adding suffering.

We can show up for ourselves
Tell ourselves what’s important
Not give in to minor discomfort.

We can show up for our team
And perform the best we can.

When we’re not feeling our best
We can set an internal precedent
For when we quit
And when we don’t.

There are times to call off
When playing will only make us worse
And benefit no one.

And there are times to lift ourselves up
Gut it out
And get through it.

The Practice of Self-Mastery

• Explore the discomfort
• Separate hurting from injured
• Decide
• Show up

CHEAT CODE: EXPLORE → ASSESS → DECIDE → LACE UP → PLAY

Why

We had a soccer tournament this weekend.

Saturday was a rough day
Injury and sickness fell upon my son

He was not feeling well physically
During the game on Saturday
He took two heavy shots to the head
One drove his glasses into his face
Cutting him.

At halftime
He had to make a decision
Whether he would stay on the bench
Or go back in
For himself
And the team.

These small decisions make up the character
Of who we are moving forward.

The decision was not mine to make
It was his.

These decisions set the tone
For what comes the rest of his life
When he will stand
When he will fold.

He pulled himself steady and returned. 

Sunday morning
He woke up sick with a bad cold
And had to again decide
Whether to call off
Or lace up
His choice.

The decision was to lace up.

He played a remarkable game
They won the final game of his tournament
Thanks in part to his full effort in the face of discomfort.

He learned something about fortitude
Testing his limits
Showing up for himself
And his teammates
When the game was on the line
He will carry these choice forward in life when the next test comes.