“The defiant power of the human spirit is man’s capacity as a spiritual being to resist and brave whatever conditioning, circumstances or suffering he may face or endure.”
-Dr. Viktor Frankl
I hate goals. I hate goal setting. Above all else, I hate this ridiculous ritual of setting goals for the New Year.
Why? Because the goals are a cliche. Lose weight. Exercise more. Spend Less. Blah, blah, blah. More than just living another cliched year, the real reason is – that they don’t work! A whopping 9% of us actually stick to the goals we’ll set for 2024, let alone achieve them. So, all you’re really doing is guaranteeing the one goal you will achieve – being a failure at keeping New Year’s goals, yet again.
Instead, what I’m doing this year is committing to being the goalie, yes, the goalie – like in hockey. Fine, that’s a goal, but just one, and one which isn’t a cliche, is totally attainable, and honestly, it’s badass!
No, I’m not talking about playing hockey. I can’t ice skate, plus I like my teeth too much for that. Honestly, I couldn’t tell you the first thing about the sport, save this. You don’t F*ck with the goalie. I mean, seriously, is there a more intimidating position in all of sports?
Maybe it’s because he reminds everyone of Jason from Friday the 13th. Maybe it’s because he’s more reinforced than a U.N.-paid-for Hamas terror tunnel (sorry, too soon?). Or maybe it’s because this dude sits there all game long with other dudes pummeling him with a rubber projectile over and over and over at speeds of over 100 mph. The guy not only doesn’t hide, he actually jumps into harm’s way.
Like I said, badass!
That’s what it means to be the goalie. You get pounded. You get knocked down. You mess up and let one get by. Then you get up and take another, and another, and another. If you want a more technical term for this, how about the one my teacher and mentor Dr. Viktor Frankl, gave to people like this? This is a dude who lives his defiant power of spirit. As Dr. Frankl taught, “The defiant power of the human spirit is man’s capacity as a spiritual being to resist and brave whatever conditioning, circumstances or suffering he may face or endure.”
So, screw New Year’s goals. This year, commit to being the goalie. Commit to not hiding behind the goals, and get out in front of that net where you’re bound to get pummelled by all kinds of slapshots. Commit to getting up after you get knocked down. Commit to facing your failures, taking responsibility, and working through the shame. Commit to no longer being afraid. Commit to making your stand and summoning the defiant power of your spirit as you don your hockey mask, and face, embrace, and endure whatever painful pucks come your way.
