Throwing Life a Hail Mary
So much in life is about preparation and stepping up when opportunity arises. However, every once in a while you find yourself at a crossroad of preparation and opportunity with few options available and your best chance of triumph is putting faith in the support system around you; in those people you trust to be as passionate about your success as you are. Those people are few, but they are mighty when bringing peace of mind when nothing else has worked. You are throwing life a Hail Mary.
There are times in my life when I turn to my football coach husband, when I NEED TO MAKE THE PLAY otherwise the “game” is over and he’ll say to me in his southern accent, “Throw a Hail Mary.”
The Hail Mary pass came to be in 1975 when Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Roger Staubach said “Hail Mary” as he threw a game-winning 50-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Drew Pearson in the playoffs against the Minnesota Vikings (yes, I love football). The uniqueness of the Hail Mary is because it is ONLY thrown at end of a half when a team has exhausted every other avenue. The Hail Mary option is rare, but potent. According to Great Big Story, since 1975 there have only been 28 successful Hail Mary passes in the NFL.
This last play of desperation gives a shot of adrenaline like no other because despite the result, an outcome is imminent. Knowing I have people around me whom I can rely on when I step up and chuck the Hail Mary is nerve wracking, but so much fun!
Regardless of the outcome, I know my team will do their best to come up with the ball for me.
Regardless of the outcome, I know we’re all in this together.
Regardless of the outcome, life is so much fun when you’re All In to take that leap of faith and live life large.
In my profession, this mainly comes up in competition when one of our athletes has been sidelined and our coaches and I have to make a choice of who comes in to replace her. The athlete who is rock solid, but won’t score very high or the athlete who hasn’t been able to train much but IF she hits could help us Win. Da da duhhhhhhh… I have incredible and exhilarating memories of being in this situation with Chris Waller, whom I’ve coached with for 14 years. We’re in the middle of the competition needing to give final lineup changes to the judges and we’re going back and forth, weighing the odds of each athlete. It has happened more than once, with time running out one of us goes with our gut and makes the decision and the other always says something like, “I have no idea how this is going to turn out, but I have no regrets. We’re playing to WIN.”
Your turn. What’s one of your most vivid life Hail Mary’s?
I’ve learned a few things here. First of all, what I originally would have classified as Hail Mary moments weren’t because it was just me making a last ditch effort (usually because of my own procrastination or lack of planning). There was no team aspect involved, I wasn’t placing my faith or trust in anyone, including myself. It was more like being out of options (or time) and willing to see what happens. But when I think of a Hail Mary as you described it I realized that my true Hail Mary moments usually involve me decided to open up.… Read more »
One of the more amusing “Hail Mary” moments I’ve experienced came last summer when, ironically, I was working at a faith camp for high school students. Several times each day I led a group of 7 students in 45 minute long conversations about faith. In this particular week, I was having significant trouble getting the students to engage and participate in the conversations, and I was pretty much out of ideas for getting them involved. At the beginning of one of our conversations, we somehow got on the topic of how difficult it is to squat for long periods of… Read more »
This is brilliant. Thinking outside the box and not being afraid to TRY something “crazy” can often lead to genius breakthroughs. How did the plank session turn out?
The plank session led to a beautiful conversation about faith and life, though it also caused me to wake up sore the next morning..
Mary, What a great way to start a conversation! When I was a youth leader at church I noticed it was easier to get teens to open up when they/we were doing something. Driving was also a good tactic and I think it was because I couldn’t make eye contact with them. Some kids are intimidated by eye contact with an adult. But I love the idea of talking during exercise!
Yes I totally agree. When I’m hoping to have a personal conversation with someone I often sugegest we go for a walk. The lack of eye contact does tend to relax the conversation and on a walk there is always a perfectly timed diversion if things need a moment of pause. Soooo good!
I do the same thing and find it really works. Even people who I am really close to often have an easier time discussing difficult subjects when there isn’t direct eye contact. I live in Canada though so sometimes the activity needs to be a drive or even doing dishes or something (I love walks but in winter it is hard to hear through scarves, hats, etc!)
It’s a little ironic that you can trust a person enough to confide in them but not feel comfortable enough to look them in the eye. I’m able to open up in emails, instant messaging, and your blog (obviously ?) but I can’t do it over the phone. Why do you think that is?
When I open up to someone through e-mail or text I feel like I have a protective shield. They won’t be able to see my reaction to their words as I can hide behind the veil of the internet. With a phone call it’s much more “raw” – there isn’t time to process or change my words. Face to face is even more vulnerable because I see the person’s physical reactions and they see mind. We feel each other’s energy which often speaks louder than our words. This is why I always feel it’s best to be brutally honest and… Read more »