Some of the best advice doesn’t come in the form of words but through actions, and I was given a powerful reminder of this while watching my 12-year-old daughter play football for her team. We arrived at the match early, only to see the opposing team already warming up with what seemed like military precision. There were 18 of them—each of them towering over our girls by at least five inches, looking as if they’d been raised on some sort of magical growth formula. In contrast, our team had just 9 players available, which meant no substitutes. The odds were stacked against us from the start, and we knew it was going to be a tough game.
By halftime, we were down 4-0. But throughout that first half, I noticed something remarkable: my daughter was smiling. Despite the scoreline, she was beaming. As she joined her team for a much-needed break, I watched her walk over to a couple of her more disheartened teammates, put an arm around them, and share what I can only assume were some words of encouragement. It was clear she was focused on more than just the score.
When the second half began, the coach had switched things around, and my daughter was now playing up front. To my surprise, she was still smiling. She played with such energy, taking two incredible shots on goal—both of which were heartbreakingly saved by the opposing goalkeeper, who was an absolute wall. Despite their best efforts, our team lost 6-0.
After the game, I walked over to my daughter, unsure of how she would feel after such a tough loss. But there she was, smiling from ear to ear, and she gave me a big hug. “Did you see those shots on goal? I think we did the best we could,” she said, with pure joy in her voice. And she was right—they had given it their all.
In that moment, my daughter taught me an unforgettable lesson without saying much at all. Her actions spoke volumes: stay present, focus on the positives, remind yourself and others of the things you did well, and never give up, even when the odds are against you. What made this lesson even more powerful was the fact that I was there—fully sober, clear-headed, and present for every kick, tackle, and shot. I was able to witness her example, take in her unspoken advice, and be grateful for the gift of this moment.
Resilience
They towered, giants in the field,
A fortress, cold and steely.
Nine against eighteen, a losing yield,
Yet she, a beacon, brightly.
Down by four, the score a blight,
Yet her smile, a shining light.
Encouraging, a guiding star,
Through darkness, she’d lead them far.
Up front, she fought, with heart and soul,
Against a wall, her goal.
Though missed, her shots, a testament,
To spirit, courage, and intent.
Defeat, a bitter pill to swallow,
Yet she stood tall, a hero’s hollow.
Her actions spoke, louder than words,
A lesson learned, from life’s accords.
