“There is no normal
life that is 
free of pain.” 
Fred Rogers

The reconstructive knee surgery was successful. Brendan is home now, experiencing the all-too-familiar challenge of limited mobility. This, too, shall pass. It won’t be long before he’s back out on the basketball court.

Brendan’s positive mindset does not make him immune from the disappointment of having his growing player development business interrupted by this injury, but as author Mel Robbins remind us, “Disappointment is a sign that you had expectations; it’s a sign that something didn’t turn out the way you had hoped. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

Rather than sitting at home feeling sorry for himself, Brendan is using this time to connect with and continue to support his clients, several of whom are playing competitive basketball at various high schools in the area. He’s editing video footage to create highlight reels of these athletes doing their workouts or playing in games. He continues to send out promotional materials to potential clients in and around the South Bay. 

Brendan is able to do all these things because he understands the three-step process for coping with disappointment — accept, reflect, move forward. With this surgery being the second significant procedure in less than one year, accepting the reality of the injury is a little easier this time around. During his days in the hospital, and even now at home, he has time to reflect on what happened and how he’s going to deal with the temporary setback. And he’s already beginning the process of moving forward, adjusting his schedule to accommodate physical therapy appointments and investigating options to continue to support his clients in spite of his physical limitations. 

One factor which reveals the personal growth Brendan has experienced in the past year is his sense of gratitude. He understands the words of the Greek philosopher Epictetus who said, “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” Brendan’s mobility is severely limited for a while, but his knowledge of and passion for the game of basketball is unchanged. He still has much to offer his clients.

When I see how Brendan is handling this difficult situation, I am reminded of the words of American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson, who wrote, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”