Resilience (Merriam Webster's Dictionary)
1. The capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress
2. The ability to recover from or adust easily from misfortune or change.
"I made a move that I made 100 times and it just popped" , said a solemn Kobe Bryant, fighting to hold back tears during a press conference last Friday.
That was the emotional description of the devastating injury that he suffered last week in a game against the Golden State Warriors.
Kobe ruptured his Achilles tendon in that game and had to undergo surgery. Doctors say his recovery time will be between six to nine months. Sports analysts say that after an injury like this, with him being 34 years old, his career may never be the same.
Yet today, it is likely that Kobe sits back with a smile on his face.
All the doubts which people have of him and all of the pain that he feels, are simply gasoline to his fire.
The fire which burns inside Kobe Bryant is his drive to be the best. It's what separates him from other NBA stars and many other athletes in general. It's the reason why people talk about him in the same sentence of the likes of a Michael Jordan.
It is the reason why he can score 81 points in a game... and possibly do it again.
Kobe knew early in his career that he had to prove himself. When he went to the NBA fresh out of high school in 1996, some people questioned his ability to perform on the same level as athletes who played in college and honed their skills over time.
Many saw him as a boy trying to play in a man's league. However, he proved them wrong and surpassed many people's expectations, winning five NBA championships, being a two-time NBA finals MVP, and ranking 4th on the list of most points scored in an NBA career.
Kobe lives and breathes basketball, he's a student of the game. I remember watching Spike Lee's 2009 documentary, Kobe Doin' Work, in which Kobe narrates footage of himself and the Lakers playing against the NY Knicks. By just listening to him talk about the game of basketball, you can see why he's been so successful.
He thinks with focus and clarity, he plays with the precision of a chess player and leads on the court with the strategic eye of an army general.
Now I'm not the biggest fan of Kobe Bryant, but I respect his ambition and drive, and I know that when you doubt him, you'd better be ready to see him do something spectacular.
Make no mistake about it, the Mamba will strike again.
But at the end of the day, there's a bigger picture to all of this. We could all learn something from Kobe. What Kobe shows us is that not only are drive and focus important, but he also shows us that we are far greater than our challenges.
Too often, we let our setbacks put us into a slump. We temporarily forget about our dreams, our ambitions and our goals and slow our progress. Yet, setbacks are merely setups for comebacks. We have to learn how to view our challenges as exactly what they are: challenges.
Facing a challenge doesn't mean it's time to throw in the towel, that means that its time to come back even stronger.
If you need an example of this, just watch what Kobe does next season.
I'm not saying whether or not he'll be MVP next year or that the Lakers will win the championship. Only time will tell what he's going to do.
But one thing that he won't be doing anytime soon is quitting.
Kobe's Facebook post after the injury:
This is such BS! All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I've done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I'm supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that??
I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me...Then again maybe not! It's 3:30am, my foot feels like dead weight, my head is spinning from the pain meds and I'm wide awake. Forgive my Venting but what's the purpose of social media if I won't bring it to you Real No Image?? Feels good to vent, let it out. To feel as if THIS is the WORST thing EVER! Because After ALL the venting, a real perspective sets in. There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.
One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day.
"If you see me in a fight with a bear, pray for the bear". Ive always loved that quote. Thats "mamba mentality" we don't quit, we don't cower, we don't run. We endure and conquer.
I know it's a long post but I'm Facebook Venting LOL. Maybe now I can actually get some sleep and be excited for surgery tomorrow. First step of a new challenge.
Guess I will be Coach Vino the rest of this season. I have faith in my teammates. They will come thru.
Thank you for all your prayers and support. Much Love Always.
Mamba Out
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