Imagine floating along a lazy river in an inner tube, completely relaxed as you are slowly carried along by the slow-moving current. At other times, it may feel more frustrating that you are drifting aimlessly along day to day, occasionally looking back at the past with nothing substantial to show for it.
Are you satisfied with where you are in life? And would you expect to find help from the NBA?
Dr. Corey Yeager is the psychotherapist and life coach for the Detroit Pistons. In many ways, he is living his dream job, building on a background of sports and his passion for asking questions. He uses narrative therapy, looking at life stories of players and patients in his practice, to go beyond the surface in order to look at a person's root system.
His small book, "How Am I Doing? 40 Conversations to Have with Yourself," asks 40 questions to help you better know yourself, your desires and where you are headed. You can read it fairly quickly, but if you do, you're completely missing the point.
Consider: Who is the author of your life story? What do you love most about being you? Do you brood on things in your past or in your future? These are examples of questions he asks while sharing examples of accomplishments, missteps, and redirection from his own life. These events have helped him move on from football, become an exemplary student, and benefit from the support of family and mentors.
Each question includes an opportunity to think about your own story. For example, to visualize an upcoming moment of anxiety, look back at your accomplishments and analyze the source of your values. To maximize the value of the book, you should have a notepad or journal nearby and take the time for serious contemplation.
While I can barely keep a dribble going, and my paycheck is dwarfed by an NBA player, there are similarities we share -- seeing how we have been encouraged, discovering ways to visualize positive outcomes during times of anxiety, appreciating the need for laughter, and learning how acquiring things does not guarantee happiness.
You won't find any one-size-fits-all solutions. Each of us is unique, as are our stories. Additionally, as a Black man, Yeager shares how appreciating our different cultural backgrounds needs to be considered and appreciated.
If you are seeking a more purposeful and meaningful life, "How Am I Doing?" is worth the read.
Just remember to take your time.
Ken Satterfield is circulation assistant at Missouri River Regional Library.