David Lightburn

For the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of coaching my daughter and her friends on their middle school basketball team. It’s been such a fun journey, not just for the girls, but for our entire family. Not only did we create many great memories, but one constant encouragement I used while coaching – “embrace the contact” – continues to live on.

It all started as a way to prepare my daughter for the physicality of basketball. Whether it was her sister, brother, mom, or me, we’d remind her to “embrace the contact” with a playful bump throughout the day. At the grocery store? “Embrace the contact” – bump. Walking out of church? “Embrace the contact” – bump. This phrase quickly evolved from a sports mantra into a family philosophy.

In basketball when you drive into the paint, the area around the rim, you’re likely to get bumped or knocked around. The chances of scoring are go way up, but so does the level of physical contact. You could stay around the 3-point line, avoiding the “action”, but is that really playing the game?

Sure, if you’re Steph Curry, you can steer clear of the lane and comfortably hit 3s from 30 feet out, but the vast majority of us are not him. Even the best shooters understand the importance of getting closer to the hoop and seeking out contact. Yes, you might get hit, bruised, or pushed to the floor. It might even hurt. But your chances of scoring – of achieving success – increase dramatically.

So, what does “embracing the contact” mean for us? It means not shying away from uncomfortable situations – ones where we could get hurt emotionally. It means understanding that diving into the “action” – into the middle where it’s messy and chaotic – typically yields the best results. It’s acknowledging that life is going to push you around a bit and things will not go perfectly – and that’s ok. It’s about preparing yourself for the bumps and bruises, knowing that they’re part of the journey toward success.

So next time life nudges you, remember to “embrace the contact” and push forward. By adopting this mindset, you can face challenges head-on, grow from your experiences, and ultimately, achieve your goals.