As I sat across from him in the restaurant. I easily remembered at least two other times we’d met and I’d failed to share with him my bucket list item.
On those other occasions I’d chickened out. Fear won. Today was going to be different.
If you haven’t read my post from August 24th I would encourage you to do so now or immediately after reading this post. Click on this link and check it out.
I’ve known Bill, name changed to protect the innocent, for close to thirty years. While we didn’t spend a great deal of time together over those nearly three decades I would consider him to be a good friend. Nearly all of our interactions were work related as we’d worked together for two different companies at the same time. We shared a sense of humor and a similar appreciation for training, educating and helping others grow.
For many, many years one of the items on my bucket list has been to sit courtside at an NBA basketball game. If you know me at all, you know basketball has been a huge part of my life. While I had to quit playing a couple years back at age 62 I still enjoy watching the game and miss playing every day.
Bill works very closely with the owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Now, some of you may question whether the T-wolves truly are an NBA team. They are and show up in the standings all the time. Yes, they’re usually towards the bottom but sitting courtside at one of their games would qualify to check it off the list.
The night before Bill and I met for lunch I vowed to share my desire with him. Because of his relationship with the team owner he was a guy who could make this happen.
As lunch began we each shared the different things that had been going on in our lives since we’d last met. As time went on I began to get more nervous internally. I didn’t want Bill to feel like I was taking advantage of our friendship. I could easily justify not asking for that very reason. I knew our time was coming to a close and it was time to step into my fear and share with him my basketball fantasy.
His reaction was what I would have expected from Bill. He was honored I would ask him and he told me he loves bucket lists and the opportunity to maybe play a part in fulfilling mine. Nothing firm was promised as we departed but I was so glad I’d shared it with him.
About three weeks later I found out Bill had left his position with the company and, at least for the time being, the dream went back on the shelf. While I was disappointed, I was happy for him and his new opportunity and I was glad I had not chickened out again and at least ran it up the flagpole.
Back in September or October of 2019 I received a call from Bill. It had been a couple of years since that lunch and we hadn’t been together since. Bill shared with me that he was back with the Taylor Corporation and he remembered our conversation from a couple of years previous.
He wanted to help me fulfill my bucket list! He provided me with five or six dates of Timberwolves home games and asked me to pick my top three choices. He didn’t have any control over what game we might get. I did have some preferences but the reality was I was just so overwhelmed by this opportunity that I really didn’t care.
On February 12, my wife and I were guests of Bill and his husband and sat courtside at the Timberwolves vs. the Charlotte Hornets. Prior to the game we all had dinner together in the Lexus Club which is part of the T-wovles arena. This was an opportunity for Amy and me to see how the other half lives, or more likely how the one percent lives. Had we been going to the game on our own we likely would have stopped at a fast food joint on the way and then trudged our way to our nose bleed seats.
We were right under one of the baskets. Twice the game ball came directly to me and I even had a player fall in my lap and I helped him up. While the Woofies lost the game, the experience far exceeded my expectations.
Why did I get to live out this long held dream? Because I asked. Because I had the courage to share my dream with someone who could possibly make it happen. Did it happen right away? No. In fact, at one point it seemed like the dream had to be put away when Bill left the company.
What amazing experiences are you missing out on because you are choosing fear over courage? All you have to do is ask! You never know what will happen. If you don’t ask, you’ll always know the outcome.
Choose courage over fear today!
Have a STRONG and COURAGEOUS Day!
Looking for a speaker for an upcoming event? I’d love to be that guy. You can reach me at dave@cultivatecourage.com or 952-200-7499.
You can now buy the book “Cultivate Courage” on Amazon! https://amzn.to/2N2PBVJ
