perseverance – …my temporary assignment.

And it is gonna be great.

Daily writing prompt

What are your thoughts on the concept of living a very long life?

Longevity ebbs and flows in my family. I remember my grandpa driving at 97, before he thought Uber was a better mode of transport. Well, maybe not Uber, but “Uncle”. Then there is my younger brother that just passed two years ago.

So it is what it is.

As far as I am concerned, for the purposes of today’s assignment, it comes down to being fully intentional about making the most of what you have been gifted.

Experience tells me that allocating the precious resources granted for this moment towards resentment, regret and retribution of the past is not what it is cracked up to be. Then, if you embark in advance of the here and now predicated on the approach of, “…that didn’t work, so I will cut this corner and use that short cut this time sround”, you pretty much added to an already sorrowful past.

The past is what it was. The future is what it may be. The present is just that, a present like Mr. Keane said a few days ago. That being said, I have no clue as to what living a long life is to me. If I can make the most out of every hour of every day going forward, then that will elongate my stay here.

When it comes time to give my notice, my only desire is that I can rest in peace knowing I gave it my everything. We are all gifted this position here on earth. Toiling in the dirt and debris of the past or buzzing about in the ether of the future would make me a worm or a fly. Nothing against them, but I like to think my focus needs to be on living life, not looking for feces.

So perhaps my longevity ends up somewhere between my grandpa and my brother. So be it.

Whatever the case, I have a lot to do today.

And it is gonna be great.

His focus.

The various fonts of my ongoing amateur authorship affinity has carried with them a number of different monikers. Most of which were football or coaching affiliated and oriented.

One, once began some time ago, “…a temporary assignment” was somewhat a center of my attention, evocative of that moment in my life. A period of an altogether different level of processing and being. Unaware, or perhaps more honestly unprepared for the feces that would soon hit the fan. Directed for the most part by my inept, irrational and mostly intentional thoughts, words and actions.

So much for leading by example. But I digress….

As of late, things have been brought into focus. Not back into, for that would imply the way things were then needed to be better seen so as to promote my immediate return to them. I would hazard to say that focus has never been one of my strong suits. Well, perhaps it appeared as such, albeit superficially.

Perhaps.

Maybe that remains to be seen.

Of late, things are different. Largely because the direction of my gaze has changed. No longer am I trying to re-see where I was currently looking. Mostly behind. I think I better understand its relevance to this moment, but it no longer rules the day. Same can be said for what may or may not lay ahead. Though we may think other wise, there isn’t much say in that department.

Which this morning led me to better grasp “….my temporary assignment.” No where close to the first or second iteration. Hopefully what is said about the third time has merit and veracity.

Today is what I have. And what I choose to do with it is an assignment of the utmost importance. Tasks that have been granted by a grace freely given. Delivered by the thoughts now received, the words readily heard and the actions witnessed.

Nothing to do with bringing things back into focus. Just being able to finally really see.

His focus.

That of life.

I have long contended that football is the game of life. Being a player, like all of you, I am familiar with the challenges, discomfort and anxiety that can come with it.

The challenges of overcoming an opponent or task bigger than you think are. The discomfort that comes along with such a seemingly endless physical, mental and emotional effort whether it be practice or game. And the anxiety that accompanies not knowing the exact outcome of your work, being unsure you are doing it exactly right, fearing you are not enough and God forbid, you make a mistake.

Speaking from a common experience, if you play football, you are already living outside of your comfort zone. In football terms being a resident of the O-Line, some of you are at the first level. Others have moved towards the second. Still fewer, the third. And yet to be conquered, is the 4th level.

On extremely rare occasions can one go from one to four. That’s like a lottery ticket. Perhaps you can get to level three from one, if things are just right. But more often than not, you cannot skip steps, avoid work and wish your way into achievement. You need to work your way up and through each one to reach level four. The end zone.

You see, if you want to achieve the things you truly value and aspire to, you have to get used to being uncomfortable. Not just in the fall. But the year round. You have to commit and fully invest in embracing that sense of being challenged, some sense of discomfort and the anxiety that may accompany being unsure what is going to happen.

Again, speaking as a football player like you, living out of your comfort zone turns out to be the best place you can be. It promotes growth, confidence, perseverance, faith and a chance to become all you were meant to be. Whether it is school, your first job, college or pursuing your passion, you cannot go from level one to four. You must find work and make your way up that field, whatever it is.

Doing the things that ultimately take you to life’s end zone.

So that being said, let me offer a challenge.

For whatever reason, this one play causes a great deal of angst and worry. Most likely because it doesn’t give you a definitive assignment like the other plays. It just calls on you to all move towards the play as one, sealing off the LOS and moving to the second level. Vague I know. But you run it to perfection against cans in practice. But against bodies, you shrink, second guess and cringe about making a mistake.

How about getting out of your comfort zone on this one?

Better yet, get out of it for the whole game.

Embrace the challenges, discomfort and anxiety. I bet you will find that endzone more than a couple of times in those four quarters. And when all is said and done, you will know that you gave it your all no matter what. That in itself counts as a win.

Stands to reason you could go 2-0 on Friday then.

And keep the winning streak alive in the weeks, months and years to come if you learn the value of being uncomfortable.

Think about it.

As you work your way towards another end zone.

That of life.

And make you sing.

I don’t watch a whole lot of TV, but I do find “The Voice” to be pretty good. At times, the stories of the singers and their journey to follow their passion can be very compelling. The coaches are good, solid people, excellent mentors and well equipped to support all sorts of talent that comes from everywhere and all walks of life.

So the other night, we watched it for the first time this year and got to know a newer array of coaches this time around. Michael Buble remained as the veteran, and was joined by Reba McEntire and Niall Horan. The fourth coach, Snoop Dogg, was an incredible addition to the team and truly something to behold. Although it was the only episode I saw this season, and the first time I saw him ever, my sense was there was this captivating emotional connection between the four.

Now aside from his music and business ventures, Snoop Dogg created a youth football league about 18 years ago to provide inner city kids an opportunity to participate in football and cheer. The focus of the Snoop Youth Football League is developing the person, teaching them values of teamwork, good sportsmanship, discipline and self respect, while stressing the importance of academics. His program has enabled over 60,000 kids to participate since its inception.

That night, in my view, Coach Dogg genuinely modeled every aspect of the words “man”, “father” and of course, “coach”. He was such a compassionate soul, a hugger. And regardless of his part in the show’s selection process, he would make his way on stage to console and encourage a singer that fell short, or celebrate them and his fellow coaches for a job well done.

At one point in the show, a young lady’s performance did not fare well and when it became obvious, she became quite emotional. Snoop went up to her, offered a tissue or two, and in true coach fashion shared something I will never soon forget.

Holding her with one arm, and with the other hand, his thumb and forefinger in the shape of an “L”, he said something that truly resonated with me, and I am sure many others. To paraphrase, showing her the “L” made by his fingers, Snoop said “this doesn’t mean loser or lose, but rather, lesson. So take this moment for what it truly is, a lesson. Learn from it, build on it, come back stronger and win.”

Offering a perspective possessing this mass has an innate ability to change life in so many ways. Every demanding, challenging and disappointing situation has within it opportunity, the potential for growth and achievement. But only if you are open to seeing it in this fashion.

For the only way you can become defined as the “L” by that single moment is if you choose to let it be so. However, should you choose to look at it as a lesson, it then becomes an opportunity to learn and grow so you can become what you were intended to be.

Witnessing that interaction with her and hearing his words of wisdom that night clarified many things for me. I bet for many others out there as well.

While that show features truly genuine artists with a voice unlike any other, seeking to further pursue their passion for music, what Snoop shared with the world last night speaks more so about life.

Its lessons.

How you should not only see them, but hear them.

For they can truly become your song.

And make you sing.

Confluence

“As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.”

– Henry David Thoreau

Maybe you have noticed a transformation.

Perhaps you are gaining a sense of this.

Feeling its tug. An awareness of gravity. How the mass of your collective thoughts, words and deeds have led you to this instant.

Impacting someone. Making something. Leading somewhere.

For they all matter. And even now, both they – and you – are still being shaped.

Taking all that you have been up to now – and making you into what you are to become. The embodiment of all that is the best in you; character, excellence, perseverance and leadership.

Your intentions then finally and irrevocably become reality.

A convergence of age, ability, experience. The confluence of discipline, desire and dreams. In something altogether new. That will stand alone. That will never happen precisely in this fashion ever again.

Long ago, each of you entertained the smallest germ of a thought. A glimmer of a dream.

At that moment, you decided. You chose a destination.

But a path was needed. Direction determined. A pace to be set.

You let go. Abandoned yourself for one another. Subservient for a greater good. Exerting the will to expend yourself in all aspects of your being. Succumbing to a level of self-discipline that ultimately created this extraordinary circumstance.

Creating a singular vision, originating from a common perspective.

“The soul attracts that which it secretly harbours; that which it loves; it reaches the height of its cherished aspirations; … and circumstances are the means by which the soul receives its own.” – James Allen

What your souls harbor is especially important right now. For as I speak, what you have always wanted is right there. In your path. Within reach.

The allure of what lay just ahead may be tempting. You might want to peek. To veer left a little. Or to the right. To get up on tippy toes to take a gander. To peer over the top.

Yet, you must not stray.

To look ahead is to leave this moment. Lifting one’s gaze up, around or under will skew your trajectory. A change in perspective will reduce focus. Obfuscate vision. Dissipate intention. Impede effort. Foster missteps.

You could lose sight of your path.

Distractions are apt to be abundant. Self induced. Born of doubt. Fear. Expectation. Anticipation. Yet focus is not meant to exist in the absence of distractions. It is a trait intended to exist in spite of them.

So just as you chose this path, you must now decide to maintain focus.

To honor your vision regardless of the situation. Committing to preserve that most singular and proper perspective. To abide by the very essence of discipline. Expending unparalleled levels of effort and persistence. Exerting uncommon character and leadership. Aspiring to the highest standards of attitude and attention.

To finish.

To relentlessly pursue excellence.

And succeed.

By setting a tone that rings true to your vision alone.

Converging on your path.

So that you all flow together at one point.

In this stand alone moment.