In the Midst of Struggle
Seeing the victory in the struggle rather than just after.
Audio narration by David Marlow
When my daughter was in 8th grade, she was part of a basketball team that had an undefeated season and ultimately finished 6th in the National 8th Grade Tournament.
They did this despite the significant handicap of having me as a coach.
In the semi-final game of the state tournament, they trailed their opponent by 11 points in the 3rd quarter.
The other team was bigger and stronger, and our girls seemed destined to finally lose their first game.
They would instead rally to take the lead with less than a minute in the game and then with only seconds to go make a steal to seal a one-point victory.
As we left the court I said to my daughter, "That was a great game." She looked me in the eye and said, "Oh yeah, those games are great...after they're over...and you've won."
It was not great going through it. Most struggle is like that.
Only after it's over and you've won can you look back and see all the good in the situation or understand the value of the result.
I'm trying to believe it before I see it these days, during struggles rather than just after.
Trying to realize there will be that moment when the game is over, and I have miraculously triumphed over whatever it is I’m struggling against.
🌱 Reflecting on the basketball game story, have you experienced moments where difficulties led to unexpected victories?
🌱 What did you learn about yourself?
🌱 Are you currently navigating a challenge, or are you celebrating a recent triumph?
🌱 What steps can you take to maintain an affirming mindset and perspective, throughout the process?
🌀 Can you articulate your Ikigai in a single sentence?
Having an Ikiverse clarifies how to live out your Ikigai.
✅ Being able to state it invites others to support you in your Ikiquest.
Great insights David and for our family it was soccer. My wife and I coached one of our daughters U14 team to States only losing regular season game 1-0 in a soaking away game. It as a good lesson when losing sometimes propels future wins. I like your analogy on that basketball game as being easier to look back than actually seeing the vision in the present moments. I only watched one partial episode of Ted Lasso (the dart game one) and I should watch at least the first season one of my daughters told me. What I liked was that he was unconventional and surprising at the same time. May reflect that doing things as conventional will provide conventional or less than results. We are into exceptional right....Carpe forte incredibili esse. Seize the chance to be extraordinary.