3 Life Lessons to Apply to Your Marriage Journey from the Knicks

3 Life Lessons to Apply to Your Marriage Journey from the Knicks Winning the Championship After 53 Years

First off, to all the Knicks fans, CONGRATULATIONS!

It was an epic win to see the Knicks bring home the championship after 53 years!

And to be quite honest, I probably wouldn't have even watched the games if my younger sister wasn't watching them, so yes, I am very much a supportive basketball viewer, lol. But I am honored to have witnessed such a historic moment.

As I watched the Knicks take on the Spurs, there were a few life lessons I took away from the way they showed up that we can all apply in our own lives if we want to achieve something historic one day—especially when it comes to marriage.

Lesson #1 - Show Up Cool, Calm, and Collected Despite the Circumstances

One thing I couldn't help but notice was that it didn't matter whether there were 24 seconds on the shot clock or only 1.7 seconds left in the game, Knicks captain Jalen Brunson always seemed cool, calm, and collected when he had the ball.

His demeanor never seemed to change.

It didn't matter what the shot clock said.

It didn't matter if the crowd was booing.

It didn't matter what the opposing team was yelling in his face to try and throw him off.

He consistently showed up with the same level of composure.

And that composure led to better execution, better decisions, and ultimately helped lead his team to a championship.

This is exactly how we should be showing up in life.

It doesn't matter how much time you think is left on your personal "shot clock." Show up cool, calm, and collected at every marriage event, every conversation, and every interaction on the apps.

Too many people get stuck focusing on things that are outside of their control.

What that aunty said at the last wedding they attended.

How the last conversation with a potential spouse ended.

How many proposals didn't work out.

And yes, for the sisters, how old they are.

And for the brothers, how tall they are.

But did Brunson spend his career worrying that many NBA players were significantly taller than him?

Nope.

He focused on becoming a better player.

Cool, calm, and collected.

Consistently.

Lesson #2 - Have an Unrealistic Belief in What You Want

The Knicks hadn't won a championship in 53 years.

Think about that for a moment.

Did they spend their season dwelling on everything that had happened over the past five decades?

Did they say, "If all those talented teams before us couldn't do it, why should we be able to?"

Of course not.

To achieve something extraordinary, sometimes you need a level of belief that other people would consider unrealistic.

Not because you're disconnected from reality, but because you refuse to let your circumstances dictate your future.

The Knicks didn't just believe in Game 5.

They had to believe long before the playoffs ever started.

They had to believe when nobody else did.

The same applies to your marriage journey.

When you look around and see people who are still single, don't start asking yourself:

"If Allah didn't grant them a spouse, why would He grant me one?"

Instead, focus on what you want and continue taking the steps necessary to get there.

Continue making du'a.

Continue improving yourself.

Continue putting yourself in environments where you can meet good people.

Continue trusting Allah.

Allah (swt) grants to whom He wills without account.

Stop focusing on why someone else hasn't received their blessing and focus on preparing yourself for the blessing you are asking Allah for.

Lesson #3 - Continue to Refine Your Skills

When we watch NBA players compete during a 48-minute game, it's easy to forget how much work happened before they ever stepped onto the court.

The practices.

The workouts.

The thousands of shots taken when nobody was watching.

What the playoffs reveal is whose preparation paid off.

The same principle applies to marriage.

What are you doing to prepare yourself when you aren't actively speaking to a potential spouse?

Are you improving your communication skills?

Learning how to budget and manage your finances?

Working on your emotional regulation?

Improving your fitness?

Strengthening your relationship with Allah?

Developing the qualities that will make you a better husband or wife?

These are the skills that will help your marriage succeed when that special person finally enters your life.

Just like NBA players don't wait until the Finals to start practicing, you shouldn't wait until a potential spouse shows up before you start becoming the husband or wife you want to be.

The preparation starts now.

And when the opportunity arrives, you must be ready.

If you'd like help putting in the "practice" so that you're ready when your future husband or wife enters your life, I have a few openings in my calendar this upcoming week. I'd love to chat with you about your marriage goals and explore how I can help you move closer to the marriage you're seeking, insha'Allah.

Simply book a slot that works best for you HERE.