Life is a lot like a college football game

Whether you've been thriving, striving, or barely surviving over the last few months, from here on out, the future can be whatever we choose to make it. You see, what has happened doesn't determine where we'll go, it only sets our starting point. That means the possibilities are endless.

The clock was swiftly ticking down in the third quarter. With the score out of our favor, coaches called a quick timeout to refocus the team before the final stretch of the game. After a strong start, the last two quarters had proved to be more of a struggle as things did not go as planned.

In the huddle, the air was thick, hot, and frustration ran high. You could hear some of the players grumbling under their breath. They were ready to call it quits after a hard beating from the opposition out on the field.

A silence fell as the coach cleared his throat.

"I know it's tempting to just let this one run out. It's been a fight to stay in the game, and we can learn a lot from what's happened out on the field tonight.

But it's not over, and true champions finish strong turning adversity into ammunition.

When we do this, we'll know that regardless of where the score finishes, we made these last quarters count, and that's a win in my book."

Upon hearing his words, it was as if the team stood tall once again with visible renewed strength. What had felt like a lost cause suddenly seemed recoverable. With a shout and fists in the air the team returned to position ready to fight to the finish.

So, what about you? This year can be a wash or a win. The choice is yours. You can turn past failures and unforeseen trials into fuel for your future success. Which narrative will you choose?