An update on that high school senior. He is now a college freshman. There was a recent development that was a happy surprise. As soon as school began, he looked in to where he could play basketball. That began at the LDS Institute where he plays every Wed night. He also signed up a few weeks into the semester in a college basketball class on Thurs nights. It's run by one of the assistant coaches. One night after class a couple of months ago, the coach pulled him aside and asked whether he might be interested in playing for the college team. That was certainly a no brainer. To shorten the story, he went through interviews, physicals, etc and suited up for his first game a couple of weeks ago. What an amazing journey for this young man. He may never be an NBA star, but he feels like he has really worked hard and was noticed and achieved something.
I taught this boy the power of our thoughts and how to create affirmations to support what he wanted. He told me a few weeks ago, that every time he played a game his senior year, when the national anthem was playing, he would repeat in his mind, "I am strong, I am confident." And he got stronger and more confident throughout the season.
One particular game I will never forget, the team was down by three and there were only seconds left in the game. I watched the coach in the time out and could clearly see from his actions that he expected my son to make a big play. I was a wreck. Oh no, please don't let this whole game rest on his shoulders. And then the magic unfolded. A play was run, the ball was passed to him at the top of the 3 point, and the shot was made. SWOOSH! He made the shot and tied the game. The crowd went nuts. It's the kind of moment you can only dream of. The team went on to win in overtime with this boy making 8 more points. A day he can look back on and replay happily the rest of his life. After the game, I remember asking him, weren't you scared to death you wouldn't make the shot. He chuckled and said, "no mom, we run that play every day in practice, I knew I would make it."
I am strong. I am confident.
I believe as much as the practice every day, those two thoughts helped him to be successful. The Bible says "as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Henry Ford said, "whether you think you can, or whether you think you can't, you are right." It doesn't matter if it is sports, a physical problem, self worth, or any other thing. Right thoughts make right habits. When we think "I am fat, I am sick, I am ugly," we create that reality. And when we think, "I am beautiful, I am talented, I am smart," we eventually create that reality. I believe the power of positive thought is the thing that put my son in the right place at the right time and he is now having the time of his life even though it is hard work and he probably won't play a whole lot.
He doesn't feel as confident about his transition in his school work from high school to college, so I have recommended he add "I am smart" to his positive affirmations. In time, I believe that will begin to show as well.
Blessings, Dawn
