Hey guys,

I’ve got a question for you today. I’ve heard it answered “yes” as often as I’ve heard it answered “no”. Truthfully, it’s not an easy answer. But I do believe there IS a definitive answer. The question?

Is fear real?

Before we get to it, I’ve quickly got some exciting news about the summer, otherwise known as the time to improve your game and take it to the next level time of the year! Don’t forget to check out the quick video at the end of this post for a cool summer preview.

For information on the BT Basketball Boys Summer Camp from July 15-18th, please find the flier right  HERE. For info on the BT Basketball Girls Summer Camp from July 29-August 1st, please find the flier right HERE.

For online registration for either camp please click here—->>>>> REGISTER NOW

Also, calling all High School players! We are offering the Maximum Results Summer Camp for both boys and girls (separate weeks). Look at the top menu above and click on the link for all the details and info (or if you wanna be really extra lazy, just click HERE . Spots for these camps are very limited, so do not hesitate to get registered today.

For online registration for either Maximum Results High School Camp please click here———–>>>>> REGISTER NOW

Ok here we go…

Is fear real? Some say yes, some say no. Both sides give good rationale and reasoning. So why do I say I think I know the answer? Here’s why.

I recently had to get an MRI, something I had never done before in my life. I’ve heard my share of stories of what to expect, but I really didn’t give it much of a second thought. I just wanted to be finished as quickly as possible because I had a busy day scheduled (as usual). So I changed into my hospital skivvies (which took me about 5 minutes because I swear it had 3 arms) and went into the MRI room.

Light in the tunnel? I don't think so...

The woman gives me a brief overview of what to expect, asks me what selection of music I would like in my headphones (um, do you have the Dark Knight soundtrack in there?), tells me it will be 20 minutes, and away we go. Oh, she says, before I put you in, here is the emergency button. If anything goes wrong, just press it and I’ll take you right out. Huh? If anything goes wrong? What is she talking about…

My mind was in a pretty easy state until that point. Calm, collected, ready to get this done. But now, in the split second she told me that, as I lay on this conveyor belt that is slowly moving forward into my impending doom, it occurs to me that the only reason she would tell me that is because SOMETHING HAS CLEARLY GONE WRONG IN THE PAST!!!!.

emergency button for what miss?

Ok no big deal. I’ve never been particularly clausterphobic but let me tell you, that thing approaching me sure looks tighter than I expected. Eh, whatever, I’ve got some tunes in my ear, I’m wearing this SICK hospital gown, and I’m about to be all comfy cozy in my own personal hot pocket.

I’m heading in feet first and they have to put my entire body in. So when the belt stops moving, and I’m in my 20 minute resting space, I realize that this tube is literally inches from nose, I can’t see any daylight in my periferal vision (and I’m a point guard) and I have to lay perfectly still for the forseeable future.

Now keep in mind, I’ve never been alarmed, or afraid, of close spaces. But within seconds, literally SECONDS, something happens. Well, multiple things happen. My pulse quickens, I can feel my heart suddenly beating through my chest. Thoughts flood my mind like Niagra Falls.

FEAR has entered.

FEAR has quicken my pulse.

FEAR Has caused my heart to beat like a drum.

FEAR has given me quick, irrational thoughts. Can I do this? Will I make it out? WHAT HAPPENED TO MAKE THE OTHER PEOPLE PRESS THE EMERGENCY BUTTON???

Now… this all happened within 10 seconds, all of it. You’ve been there before, when everything just races full throttle.

So I had a choice to make. Do I pull the trigger, have her pull me out, tell her I’m not ready, reload myself, do it all over again, and let FEAR get the best of me?

Or do I compose myself with rational thinking and calm, peaceful, REAL thoughts and make it through that wave of lies. That’s right, lies. Lies that something was wrong. Lies that this would be difficult. Lies that I wouldn’t get out. That’s what fear does, it feeds you irrational lies that run downhill as fast as they can, picking up more and more out of control lies along the way while they gather speed.

I had to do the one thing that each of us face hundreds of times a day, often underestimating each time we do it.

I had to choose.

So I composed myself with a few deep breaths. I let the positive, rational thoughts flood my mind.

-Get a hold of yourself

-People have done this millions of times

-The nurse is right there

-If I go out, I will just have to start all over again

-So THIS is why people have a fear of being buried alive (I got a nice internal chuckle out of that)

-Oh look, I can see the shadow of my nose on each side of this tube, and if I move my nose, the shadow moves too!!!

-Sure I’m stuck in this tube for the next 20 minutes unable to move, but man, I look SICK in this gown!!!!

Is fear real? I say absolutely yes. We have all felt it in some form or fashion, in one way or another. We have felt what happens to us chemically. It is undeniable. The question shouldn’t be is fear real. Because whether or not you think it is real or not, you and I WILL feel it at some point again in our lives.

The real question, and what truly matters, is, how will you react? This is what it boils down to. You and I have a choice when we confront fear. Whether something trivial and silly like an MRI or something real and meangingful. Do you control it? Or does it control you? There is the important question. For about 20 seconds, I let it control me and darn near pressed that stupid button. Until I took control, and decided myself what I was going to think and feel about what was happening. You see, there are many times when we can’t control what happens in life. But what we can control, 100% of the time, is how we react to it.

And this is what makes all the difference.

 

Enough heavy stuff, now check out this video and let’s have some fun…