I read an article this week about a former Manchester United Academy Player, one of the best clubs in the world, who was released unexpectedly. Now, he cuts hair in a local barbershop. I know an NFL veteran of 10 years who was released this week coming off an injury that sidelined him for more than half of last season. And let’s not forget the most eye opening event of all this week: Tiger Woods. A car accident left Woods with rods in his legs. As one person put it, “He’s just lucky to be alive.”
If there’s anything this last year has taught me, it’s the importance of taking each day for what it is. We woke up this morning with breath in our lungs and all of our body parts working. Lot’s of people around the world didn’t have that luxury. So let’s all take a moment of gratitude and say a few things we are thankful for. Mine today are beautiful weather, healthy friendships, and opportunity.
What really stuck out to me about each of the three stories I mentioned above is their lives all took/are taking an unexpected turn. Injuries and life circumstances happen. Now how you respond to those things is completely up to you. Which leads me to my next point. If you are an athlete reading this please, PLEASE, have a back up plan.
Now this isn’t me saying don’t go all in on your sport. By all means, bet on yourself. This is my way of saying God forbid something happen, don’t have all your eggs in one basket. When I was playing college soccer, my coaches made me feel bad because I had other interests outside of soccer I dedicated time to. For a short time, I used to feel bad. But then I realized soccer wasn’t going to be forever and I didn’t want to stop playing and be a one dimensional person. So I continued to pour into myself and when I abruptly had to stop playing, I didn’t feel lost. My identity wasn’t completely wrapped in my sport and I had some purpose.
So to my athletes out there: be multifaceted and pursue your other passions. You will never regret doing something you love and bettering yourself at the same time.
Caleb Michael 