Backwards to go Forward

I have an injury right now that is preventing me from running and working out as I want to. It’s frustrating, and at times, I catch myself focusing on the negative and the idea of all the fitness that I am losing. I think about all the effort that I put in to get to this point only to be set back. Have you faced those moments? Have you faced similar moments in your transition to the next stage of life after your competitive playing career? Those moments where you hit a wall that you can’t get past in the time frame that you want. You then get frustrated and instead of focusing on the positive of hat you accomplished to that point and your growth, you slide into self-defeating thoughts of loss, victimhood, and imposter syndrome.

Fortunately or unfortunately, it is a part of life that sometimes to keep progressing we need to backtrack first. Think about hiking on a trail. You see your destination in the far distance and you set off on the direct route to it. Eventually, though, the trail ends or you hit a cliff before you get there. You may have to go back on the trail a little ways to find a different trail branching off in order to again start moving towards your goal. Backwards movement can be disappointing and even disheartening or, as we learn to embrace the process and the journey, it becomes the next step in the adventure. Ultimately, it is movement toward your goal.