13 months

Dear readers,

Now that I have successfully completed a season in Europe the time has come for me to reflect and look back. After all, if I want to know where I am going I have to know where I’ve been. Most of you may not know but I have been playing basketball on a semi-professional level for the past 13 months consecutively. For most of you that might not register or you might not fully understand how long that really is. So let me highlight the journey I have been on these past 13 months to fill in a few gaps. Before I do so, let me say this: “Everything that has happened in these months is exactly what I wanted to happen.” I want to make that clear because I am realize how privileged I am.
February of 2008 I was standing in front of a class teaching 12-15 year old kids how to operate computers and helping building up their mathematical skills. Little did I know that within that one year later I would have played over 60 games. I then traveled to Australia for a second season because I enjoyed my time there so much the first year. Plus the club wanted me back. In my opinion we had everything in place to win a championship but all that changed when I fell and hurt my wrist three quarters through the season. It wasn’t just the immediate season I was concerned for, but also my future. Up to this point in my career I had never suffered an injury as severe. Seeing that I had signed to play in Konstanz by this time I was very much concerned about my future in Europe. I toughed it out and rehabilitated my wrist as often as I could. It was 7 months of intensity and focus down in Australia.
Once the playoffs came, critics were expecting us to be in the championship considering the team we had. Our dreams fell short as we lost in double overtime in the third game of a three game series by 2 points. It was the craziest game I ever played in.
I then had about 3 weeks to somewhat relax but I still had to stay in shape seeing I had another season I was about to play in. I felt more pressure seeing that I had never played in Europe and I know how With that said, that mentality didn’t allow me to really relax because I was in the gym trying to get back to 100%.
September comes and I’m on a flight to Germany, leaving behind my precious girlfriend and not to mention it has been 7 months since I have seen my family. I have a dream and I know they all support me so I kept pushing. I arrived in Germany with a few goals, to win a championship, play my best, and make a name for myself. By the end of the season two of those goals were accomplished, but it took a lot out of me. Coach Washington really pushed me to my limits. At the time, it was misery but it only brought out the best in me. I never kept my eyes off the prize though. Although, we fell short of a championship this year I think we did a great job this season considering the amount of new faces that were added and that’s tribute to Coach Washington.
Just for one second imagine this. Before you read on take a deep breath and close your eyes for a brief second before you read on………..
Okay! Think about your personal dream. Now contemplate committing yourself to follow your dreams despite knowing the huge sacrifices and hurdles that will come. Remember nothing worth having is going to come easy and if your dream is worth it then the road you travel to get there is going to be tough. Now that you have mentally prepared yourself for what’s to come, imagine yourself being in the exact situation you envision and an environment that will enable you to become a step closer to reaching your dream except now you have physical obstacle arises. This is supposed to be the easy part but you find it difficult. You are drained mentally and emotionally and you have someone behind you commanding you to do your best and pushing you to your limits. 13 months of being pushed to your absolute limit. Imagine that.
Now think about what your limits really are and how often you cut corners or take short cuts because that route is easier. In the long run that only hurts you because a lot can be learned from taking the road that is less travelled. Are you confused yet? I bet you are wondering where I am going to take this right?
Well, for the past 8 months I have been pushed like never before. The last time I remember this amount of pressure being put on me I was a kid and it was from my dad. It wasn’t a pressure directly as if someone was constantly in my ear. It was the pressure of someone believing in you and seeing something in you that you might not be able to see in yourself. That kind of pressure can be very stressful and for those of your who have experienced this may know what I am talking about. I mean, I was looking in the mirror just the other day and noticed a gray hair in my mustache. I’m sure it is from the past 8 months 0f stress. So I immediately decided to shave to keep a professional and young image, but that’s not the point. The point is that I have someone who believes in me, who took a chance on me, and has pushed me. I am and will forever be thankful of that.
So despite playing basketball for 13 months, I know that I am only at the beginning of something great. All this has just been preparation and will only make sense for me later on in life.
So now that the season is complete I plan to take a month long break away from hoops. I need to unplug because I don’t want to overload on basketball. I believe in balance and I am in dire need of that right now. I will come back to Germany in September refreshed. I like to think of it as a new and improved Michael Lay, but I will leave that for you (the fans) to judge.
I will keep writing on my blog as it is a place to debrief and unwind which contributes to my peace and balance. Until next time.

Coolbrz84