Good morning!

I’m feeling truly grateful this morning because I did something foolish last week.

And the outcome was looking very bad.

In fact, I was catching looks all day Saturday at my kid’s basketball games from people who were clearly concerned. Over and over they would mouth to me from across the gym something along the lines of… “What happened? Are you good?”

I couldn’t hide it. I was definitely not good. And it was obvious to everyone.

Why? Because I was limping. Like tiny steps, dragging my leg limping. My foot was swollen and throbbing.

And I couldn’t help but think I had committed the sin of many aging men… trying to do something athletic that you weren’t warmed up for… and was paying the ultimate price.

In my head, I was hoping it wasn’t, but I had fear it was - an achilles tear.

I keep seeing it happen to lots of guys my age, and it seemed like I was the next victim.

Why had this happened?

Because I had tried to dunk at my son’s practice the other night…

Right when I walked in the gym…

My shoes weren’t tied…

Absolutely foolish.

In the aftermath my foot had swollen up and I could barely move.

But it turns out after a bunch of ice, compression, and a diagnosis from my PT buddy that it is not my achilles. A sprain of some sort for sure, but my achilles is in tact. Hallelujah!

(Sidenote: Erin did pray for me on Saturday night as I writhed in pain and I woke up Sunday morning much improved. So that was very cool as well and has felt like a gift from God.)

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​SECOND CHANCES

The timing for an achilles injury would have been very poor. Our family has a lot going on for the next few months, I have travel for speaking and consulting, and getting laid up would add significant difficulty for us all.

So, I’ve been granted a second chance that I didn’t deserve after my dunk attempt. 🫣

Second chances are great - but what if we could live like today is a second chance? How would that change the way we approached a situation?

Famed Austrian psychiatrist Viktor Frankl has a quote that reminds me of how this would have helped me before my dunk attempt and can help me going forward…

What if we didn’t have to wait for the foolish choice and could skip the pain and act differently now?

For me, there will not be anymore dunk attempts for the foreseeable future. 😁

THE PRODIGAL SON

This makes me think about Jesus telling the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 9. This son asked for his inheritance early and went out to spend it on foolish things. He ran out of money and was miserable. Ultimately, he came back to his father and received a second chance at a good life. That’s the great part about the life that Jesus offers to us, there are second chances.

But foolish choices come with painful consequences and circumstances.

For me, it’s a sore ankle that I have to now spend a few weeks rehabbing. For the prodigal son, it was all that he went through on the journey physically and emotionally - it must have been really difficult. And he was probably kicking himself because he didn’t have to do that. Just like I didn’t have to try and dunk.

Yet, if he (and I), had considered in advance what the likely consequences would have been of that choice - that might have led to a less painful outcome.

LIVING WITH SECOND CHANCES IN MIND

To do what Frankl is suggesting requires upfront work.

It asks us to pause and really think about the potential outcomes of where our choices are pointing us.

As usual, for me Worthy Wins always come back to relationships and accomplishments.

So, here’s my questions for you today as you look at the next 10 months of the year…

• RELATIONSHIPS: What kind of trend line are you on with your most important relationships? Headed for success or a crash?
• ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Are there any major accomplishments / milestones / activities that you’re really wanting to be true? Is there anything you control in your life that might derail them just as a torn achilles would have done for me?
• SECOND CHANCES: For either your relationships or your accomplishments, what small changes could you make now as if you had been granted a second chance?

Rooting for you!

Much love,

JO

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PS: If you would like to help me out on the book front, the biggest thing I need right now are reviews on Amazon. ❤️

If you haven't gotten a copy and are still willing, here's the best ways: ​Hardcover and Paperback, ​​Kindle, & ​Barnes and Noble.

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{Saint Augustine, FL 32080}