In The Know w/ Finke & Hill

I was talking to my wife the other day and she said something that I thought was too good not to share. She said, “your life isn’t yours if you live in fear”. To me, that could not be any more true. 

When I am at my best, whether that is on the basketball court or in my everyday life, I am full of confidence. I am not second-guessing anything, I am not looking for approval from others, and I am not fearful of messing up. 

For example, when I am playing at my best on the court, I am not worrying about a missed shot or a turnover I just committed. I am filled with confidence and tell myself to focus on the next play. I am then focusing on doing whatever I can to help my team win. In return, that usually means I have a pretty good game as an individual as well.

On the other side, when I haven’t played well, it is usually because my mind isn’t in the right mental state. I am thinking too much about messing up. I am overthinking how I missed my last three shots and therefore I may pass up a good look on my next opportunity.

The same goes for in life. I feel the most successful and confident when I am not worried about what others think or how I am portrayed. When I focus on how I can better help my family, and how I can make the day in front of me the best day possible, that is when I am at my best.

As a Christian, when I am fearful about anything in life, I turn to God. One Bible verse that really sticks out to me is from Deuteronomy 3:22. It says, “You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you.”

This verse gives me comfort because I know that He is with me. I don’t have to worry about pleasing others or searching for anyone else’s approval because I know that His approval is all that matters. He is there for me.

This is easier said than done and if I am being honest, I sometimes lose sight of this. However, this is what I have to keep reminding myself and focus on. 

My identity isn’t in basketball, it isn’t in how much money I make, and it isn’t in how successful I will become. My identity is in God. Having Him in my corner makes all the other challenges and trials that much easier. I try not to live in fear because when I am doing so, I am not living my life, but I am living a life controlled by other influences. 

In my opinion, the two main reasons why we are fearful of getting out of our comfort zone is the following:

• We are scared of failure
• We are scared of disappointing others

The way I look at it, if you aren’t failing, then you aren’t trying. Hockey Legend, Wayne Gretzky said it best, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”. This quote is more than just for sports, it is for life. Go after everything with an open mind and confidence to attack whatever it is you are wanting to do.

Living in fear does nothing but hold you back and trying to please others all the time won’t get you that far as well. This one is especially hard for me because I always want to make people happy and not disappoint them. However, I have come to learn that focusing on myself and not worrying about others’ opinions is what will get me farther in life.

Honestly, I was fearful about starting this blog. I am sure there are people judging what Malcolm and myself write, but in the end, that doesn’t matter at all. Our goal is to reach people and express our own thoughts. If we can reach just one person, then our goal is complete. 

That is why we decided to do this.

My challenge to you is to live the life you want. Don’t be afraid to start something new! Get outside of your comfort zone and live the life you have always wanted. 

Imagine what you can accomplish if you put fear behind you and do what you want to do.

The world is yours.

God Bless.

Michael

P.S.

As always, leave any questions or comments that you might have for Malc and me. We appreciate all the support!