Overcoming Adversity

       "Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are."
                       Paul Martinelli

         In 1982, I was beginning my first year of law school in St. Louis. It was an exciting year to live in St. Louis as the baseball Cardinals won the World Series that year--there was an incredible feeling of electricity in the air during the Fall of 1982. I enjoyed reliving that feeling the last few weeks as the Cardinals won the World Series again last Friday in dramatic fashion. One strike away from elimination in Game 6, the Cards stormed back to win Games 6 and 7 and the Series.

         The Series MVP, David Freese, is a shining example of the benefits of taking on adversity head on and succeeding despite all odds. David grew up in the St. Louis area and played baseball in high school, but he quit playing when high school was over. He eventually made his way back into baseball, ultimately playing for his boyhood team. Last season though, after winning the starting third base position, an ankle injury limited his playing time to only 70 games. This season, a hand injury only allowed him to play 92 games. Yet when it was time to dig deep and play in the playoffs and World Series this month, his true character shined through. His "problems" as some call them or "challenges" as I suspect David calls them did not matter. David set 2 Series' records in the drive for the title of World Champions.

          There are 2 months left in 2011 after today. What challenges will you overcome on the way to your best year ever? Start building momentum today for an even better 2012.