Are you waiting for permission, or going all in?

"You can spend your life defending yourself in court or defining yourself on the court. One seeks permission; the other demands courage."— James McPartland

Have you ever noticed how we often find ourselves in one of two places - standing in a courtroom, awaiting judgment, or out on the court, fully engaged in the game of life? The metaphor isn't subtle, but its impact on our daily existence is profound and far-reaching.

Picture yourself in a courtroom. The air is heavy with judgment, yet you’re not the judge—you’ve assigned that role to everyone else. Worse yet, you’ve sentenced yourself to a lifetime of self-doubt with the crushing verdict: “I’m not good enough.” Sound familiar? Many of us live this way, seeking validation from an invisible jury, believing we need permission to be great, feeling guilty even when we’ve done nothing wrong. It’s exhausting.

Now, shift that image. See yourself on a basketball court, or a tennis court - any court where the game is played. The sentence changes: “The game doesn’t end if I just keep playing.” There’s something freeing about that, isn’t there?

When you're on the court, you're betting on yourself, playing all out regardless of the conditions, the score, or how the crowd reacts. Each play matters because you decide it matters.

Too often, though, we find ourselves stuck, waiting for validation—seeking approval from others before making a move, fearing judgment instead of taking action. But the real breakthrough comes when we realize: We don’t need permission to succeed. The only approval that truly matters is our own. 

But here's where it gets interesting - Many of us believe we’re on the court when we’re actually just watching from the stands. We're the court jesters, laughing it off, using humor to deflect. We talk about what we're going to do instead of doing what we're talking about. We keep one foot nailed to the floor, traveling in circles, putting nothing at risk. 

But transformation begins with a new conversation—first with yourself, then with those who support your vision. It’s about committing to being in the game, not just talking about it.

Imagine life as a board game—the front of the box reads: “The Game of Life: A Journey to Gratitude.” The cover art shows the building blocks of your dreams: your home, your family, your passions, your future.

But here’s the catch: The back of the box doesn’t list rules—it lists possibilities.

• “Live the life you’ve always dreamed of.”

• “Do work that ignites your soul.”

• “Surround yourself with those who lift you higher.”

And the warning label? This game can only be won if you play as if your life depends on it. Because it does.

People will resist your change, including the person you see in the mirror. Each challenge is a new level, a chance to grow, to play bigger.

So, I'll ask you: Which court are you on today? Are you awaiting judgment, or are you in the game?

The choice, as it always has been, is yours. 

The game is waiting. Are you ready to play?

Mac 😎