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Thursday, July 29, 2021

Dealing With Adversity

What do you think about the Simone Biles story? I’m still torn. It’s great that she’s taking care of herself and getting help. Something we all need to do. Doesn’t take away from her being one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, as some people say. She’s won a bunch of medals in past years. But there are so many stories of athletes overcoming adversity to become champions.

Usually the story is how an athlete overcomes adversity. Tom Brady sat on the bench at Michigan. Drafted in the sixth round, picked after several of QBs. Sat on the bench in New England. Only got to play when the starter got hurt. Then won like five Super Bowls with the Patriots. He wanted to keep playing, but New England thought he was too old. What did he do? Signed with another team and led them to a Super Bowl. Peyton Manning won a Super Bowl with the Colts. Later he missed a season after neck surgery. The Colts drafted Andrew Luck. Manning signed with the Broncos and won a Super Bowl with them.

Tiger Woods won a major championship while playing 18 holes with a broken leg. That was his choice. He came back from his indiscretions, but these days few consider him a hero. Michael Jordan retired due to his mental anguish – during the off-season after winning the NBA championship, not in the middle of the NBA Finals. Granted, Biles risks injury by performing at less than peak condition.

Steve Sax had a good start to his career. Rookie of the Year. All-Star. Then he moved to the Yankees and couldn’t throw to first base. Is Simone Biles the next Steve Sax? She seems to be a nice girl, who has overcome a lot and achieved a lot. The queen of gymnastics, and queen of endorsements. Good for her. It’s great that she’s working to overcome her demons. Was this her last shot at a gold medal? Perhaps.

Read where there are many Olympic athletes in Tokyo struggling with adversity right now. These are tough times we’re living in. Was thinking about how tensions in the office are riding high right now, with manpower and material shortages making work so tough.

Writing things down helps me figure out how I feel about certain tough issues. Then I post these incomplete thoughts here. Thanks for putting up with me.

Some compare Biles to Kerri Strug, who cemented her status as an Olympic icon in the 96 Atlanta Olympics. Was Strug bullied into performing after being injured? Obviously not. Just look at her Twitter. Strug is obviously proud of her accomplishment. 

Denison: I am not a mental health professional. Our ministry enlisted the aid of Dr. Lane Ogden, a psychologist and therapist of more than thirty-five years, to discuss this vital subject. I urge you to read his reflections here and apply his insights in your life and relationships. However, I can say that Simone Biles is right: God either removes our challenges or redeems them for larger purposes. He miraculously freed Paul from his Philippian jail (Acts 16:25–26), but he did not remove his "thorn in the flesh" despite the apostle's repeated entreaties (2 Cor 12:8).  God used this "thorn" to draw Paul into greater dependence on himself. As a result, Paul wrote "When I am weak, then I am strong" (v.10). Our performance-based society measures us by what we do and how well we do it. God wants us to see our challenges differently—as opportunities to experience his grace, strength, and guidance. We can be self-sufficient or we can be Spirit-dependent, but we cannot be both.

With the Olympics on, that means no Jeopardy for two weeks. That’s why I turned on the golf. The US Olympic golf team: Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schaufee, and Bryson DeChambeau. Women’s: Nelly Korda, Danielle Kang, Lexi Thompson, and Jessica Korda.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.pgatour.com_news_2021_06_30_usa-2Dgolf-2Dnames-2Deight-2Dathletes-2Dto-2D2020-2Dolympic-2Dteams-2Din-2Dtokyo-2Djustin-2Dthomas-2Dcollin-2Dmorikawa-2Dxander-2Dschauffele-2Dbryson-2Ddechambeau.html&d=DwIFAg&c=UXihhqr7vvdA-hrKyTiC1Q&r=wMWwaEbn9nr4zXI4p6CDP7FGwn1DrBd77MJElrWsP6U&m=6GyzgEA17vP2vPoAbdBht7kYlYkgiPOAEADDt-PPvSQ&s=Ca-9m2uuhXPWa0bQHMeXyRYzTIPEl851cI9DVPd0uAc&e=

Politically incorrect jokes:

Couldn’t believe Olympic swimmers had to wear masks during races.

If someone tells you to wear a mask, tell them that you are an illegal immigrant.

I can’t believe they’re letting people come into our country wearing shirts like that.

EDDIE LOPAT  [SABR Bio] was the only left-handed pitcher to win twenty games for the Yankees in a season in the 1950s. Had a record of 21-9 in 1951. He led the majors in win-loss percentage, with .800 in 1953 (16-4) for Milwaukee. He was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame. The NP-A SHOF in Troy, Michigan in 1978. In a precarious World Series situation, his manager, Casey Stengel, went to Lopat on the mound and asked him how he felt, both acknowledging Duke Snider was the next batter. Lopat said, “I feel fine.” Casey walked back to the dugout and with the last postseason pitch he ever threw in the majors, Lopat induced Snider to ground out, ending the game.

Keto diet: eggs, bason, cheese, protein shake, tuna, chicken lettuce, nuts, vegetables, broccoli, alfredo, butter.

Low carb diet: hard boiled eggs, pumpkin seeds, dill pickles, apples, cheese, turkey, beef jerky, peanut butter, bacon, kale chips, Greek yogurt, tuna, ham, blue cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, chicken, almonds.

To prevent cancer: cut out sugar. Drink hot water with lemon juice before food. Better then chemotherapy. Drink three spoonfuls of coconut oil in the morning and before bed.  

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