Settle the Ball: From Chaotic Kicks to Strategic Play
"Settle the ball."
Brené Brown articulated it beautifully, and if you've ever watched a chaotic kids' soccer game (or, let's be real, received an unexpected diagnosis), you know the feeling. It's a flurry of activity, a whirlwind of unpredictable movement. That's crisis.
And let's face it, receiving an MS diagnosis can feel a lot like that chaotic sprint. The initial shock, the flood of information, the sudden shift in your world – it's a constant state of "fight or flight." You're reacting, scrambling, pushing through, hoping the storm will eventually pass.
Here's the thing about those initial crises: they often have a defined finish line. You push through, adrenaline pumping, knowing the storm will eventually pass. But living with MS? This isn't a short burst; it's a marathon. And babe, you simply cannot sprint a marathon. You burn out. You collapse. You lose the long game of well-being.
That's where "settling the ball" comes in.
Remember those kids, all elbows and knees, kicking that ball with reckless energy? As they gain experience, they learn a crucial skill: control. They learn to receive the ball, to bring it down to the ground, to settle it.
And then, they do something even more important. They lift their heads. They scan the field. They assess the situation. They develop a strategy. Where's the goal? Where are their teammates? How do they move forward with intention?
That's the shift we, as MS warriors, need to make. We can't keep reacting to every kick, every symptom flare, every unpredictable bounce. We need to learn to "settle the ball" in our own lives. So, after navigating the initial whirlwind of diagnosis, the uncertainty, the ever-shifting landscape of living with MS, the question becomes: how are you going to settle the ball?
Are you going to keep running blindly, hoping to get to the goal by sheer force? Or are you going to take a breath, assess your situation, and develop a strategy?
What does "settling the ball" look like for you? Is it:
Taking a moment to prioritize your well-being?
Setting clear boundaries to protect your energy?
Developing a plan for your goals, both big and small?
Connecting with your "team" for support and collaboration?
The choice is yours. You can keep chasing the chaos, or you can take control, settle the ball, and play the game with intention.
What's your next move?
You can contact me HERE and/ or browse MY WEBSITE for ways I can support you.
You are not alone on this journey. I got you xoxo
