Athletics isn’t about
blasting the home run to win the game
becoming Air Jordan at the buzzer to seal the state championship
rolling the strike to earn the 300.
Athletics isn’t about the positives

But rather the negatives.
Pitfalls of adversity
rafts on relentless waters
placing you in the toughest position you ever
thought you could encounter,
making it ten times more uncomfortable,
then challenging you to emerge from it a confident man.

Athletics is about
grounding into a double play to lose the game
calling a timeout when you have none left to finish 2nd in the nation
half-watching and half-breaking internally
as the 300th pin rolls around
toying with your dreams and emotions
and laughing in your face when it remains standing
For a final score of 299.
But athletics doesn’t stop at misery and heartbreak.

Athletics offers a challenge.
A challenge to work harder
work harder and stride farther
work harder and stride farther than ever before fathomable within you.
Athletics is about
taking 100 swings off the batting tee every day
shooting the same stupid jump shot till the tenth time your arms have begged for mercy
heaving the ball down the lane one. More.

Time so that you know how life feels
after a ground ball
air ball
gutter ball
while living with your family
dealing with your coworkers.
Athletics isn’t about creating a superstar on the field

It’s about shaping the mind of an innovative coworker
igniting the patience and
igniting the passion of
a devoted father
molding the heart of a genuine, loyal husband.

Life throws a good curveball
so hit it. Or at least
swing if it’s close.