It’s November, hard to
believe that the regular season starts again in a mere eight weeks. Are you
prepared? I think I am, oddly enough. This year of 2012 did not play out near
what I had planned for. I can remember having an extremely powerful focus, a state
of mind unparalleled even by my most successful years. It was almost like a
feeling of invincibility. I knew what I wanted, I knew how to get it, and I
knew it was going to happen. However, when the season progressed, the months
and weeks full of small defeats chipped away at that focus. I did my best to
ignore this fact or even pretend like nothing was happening. I felt it all
along, and at some point in early June, I lost the state of mind I worked so
hard and sacrificed so much to achieve, and I did it at the worst time possible.
Do I regret this fact? No. Regret is a huge waste of my precious time and
energy. Divert what could be regret into knowledge. Knowledge of a mistake that
can be prevented in the future, for myself and others in my web. There is
always a valuable lesson in the darkness, typically blurry at first, but with
time and patience it will come into focus.
I have had my “out”, as one
could say, too retire. Many times now, I could have said ‘well this obstacle is
too great, and it’s time for me to bow out.’ On a regular basis people ask. My
answer is still the same; I am hurt by the harsh reality that is now in the
past and defines my 2012. I don’t see myself continuing on four more years. I
am unsure of my physical and emotional strength to do so. But I remain utterly
unsatisfied. I am so much better than I have shown. I have a number in mind,
and if I could only achieve it, it seems as if it would put my soul at ease. I
don’t want to define my career by a number, I know that it is much more than
that, but the number haunts my every conscious moment, continually eluding me
with cruel taunt and malice. This is the sharp pain of addiction that can
emerge as a side effect of passion for many athletes. When is it good enough?
When are we satisfied? Can we even be satisfied? If not a number, than a team,
a record, a legacy, is it ever enough? When the ultimate goal is achieved, than
a new one presents itself within the hour.
I may never achieve my own, but as long as I am capable, I will continue
to try.
The only genuine satisfaction you will ever have is the knowledge in your heart, soul and mind that you gave it all.
ReplyDeleteKeep pushing!
Eric