This week, we found out that Roman, my oldest son, for those new here, has impingements in both of his hips and a tear in his right labrum–some pretty tough news for a fifteen-year-old whose only love is basketball.

I know he’s going to be fine.

And I know this is the best time to find out and develop a plan to get healthy; imagine this happening as he goes into his senior year.

But, I also know he’s scared—scared of the unknown(s) in front of him.

I find my Self in a situation where I’m trying to balance being a supportive Dad–encouraging him to feel his emotions, talk about them, and to be disappointed/sad/scared–and being a Dad with an understanding of what his mindset and energy will do for whatever his recovery looks like. I don’t want to lack empathy and lack sensitivity to what he is going through, but I also don’t want to enable him to continue to feel sorry for his Self and stay negative, which will only make his recovery longer and harder–all because of his mind.

In an effort to help him grasp the power of his mind in his recovery, I put on a couple of Dr. Joe Dispenza podcast appearances on our drives to school. I don’t expect him to go down the Dispenza rabbit hole, but I’m hoping by hearing this information from someone else, he’ll trust me with the advice I give him about the role his mind will play.

I know whatever Roman believes about his injury is what will happen.

If he believes that he’ll meet the challenge with determination, drive, discipline, and optimism, then he’ll bounce back quickly and be better than ever.

If he believes that he’s not lucky, it’s unfair, recovery will take a long time, and that he might not be the same after, then that is what will happen.

It’s all in his mind.

So, my quest is to help him become conscious of his unconscious beliefs and make sure his beliefs are going to help him in recovery and not work against him.

See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,

JC