Embrace the impossible
30th November 2009 by Jarrod Newton
If you love basketball, or sports in general, you NEED to check out this clip. Kobe Bryant is insane.
That backboard is a pretty significant challenge when you're on the wrong side of it. It got me thinking about how we can handle tough situations or big obstacles in our own lives. Here's 3 things that I think we can learn.
#1 Know what you're aiming for
Do you reckon Kobe was complaining to himself about how big, or how high, or how awkwardly positioned that backboard was? I reckon he had just one thing on his mind -- Get the ball in the basket.
When we're real clear on what we're aiming for, we see challenges in a completely different light. Our instincts become to think less about the obstacle itself, and more about how we can get around it.
#2 You gotta practice
If you can't make a jumpshot from 10 feet, you're not going to drain a 'behind the backboard' shot.
But while a sweet jumpshot might get you through a basketball game, it's character that will help you conquer life obstacles. Practice telling the truth on all the little things so that when things go bad you won't feel the pressure to lie. Practice having a positive attitude on little setbacks so that when things get really tough you'll be able to keep an upbeat perspective.
#3 Embrace 'the impossible'
Great people aren't limited by 'how you're meant to do it'. They see solutions to problems that others would completely miss. They make the 'impossible option' work.
No doubt about it, embracing the impossible is risky. 9 times out of 10, Kobe probably misses that shot. But the rest of the population wouldn't even attempt it.
I think that greatness and risk have to go together. Some of the obstacles in our lives can't be conquered just by choosing the 'safe' option. Maybe they require us to live, think or act a little differently to those around us. Maybe we might need to expose ourselves to criticism, teasing or other negative feedback. Maybe we might be required to survive for a while on instinct -- on faith -- rather than on carefully laid out plans for the future.
So often, the most spectacular successes only come when we ignore what we think is possible and remember that we serve a God who promises that all things are possible for followers of Jesus.
Till next time,
Jarrod Newton
save. grow. serve.
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Comments
What a freak! I havent seen Lebron pull that off yet.... but still a freak!
I love and totally agree with that your article man!
I ONLY way I've triumphed over trials and tribulations is because God called me to step out and step up. YES! to take a risk is dangerous and it doesnt come off all the time. (Maybe more times not than it does, but if we fear failing, then we will only see growth in small portions. It's our faith in Gods promises that hold us together and keep us from falling apart. I know this guy who believes some crazy, farfetched stuff in faith and I have found myself thinking ' how can he believe for that' and to Gods credit, he has come through countless times!