by Coach Bag
“If you carry a sword, it’s not always to swing it-but to sharpen it.”
DAY 4 – Sharpening Season Begins
Focus: Recovery | Purpose | Refinement
Symbol: The First Strike of the Blade
Takes: BRAINS & GUTS
“If you carry a sword, it’s not always to swing it — but to sharpen it.”
Today marks the beginning of what I’m calling Sharpening Season.
I’m still recovering, still building, but I’ve entered a new chapter —
one where restraint, focus, and spiritual depth take center stage.
- Light workouts.
- Simple meals.
- Refined movement.
- Purpose-driven recovery.
This season is about sharpening the blade — not swinging it recklessly.
And for the first time, I truly feel the shift into becoming Coach Bag, not just the player.
The Sword That Led Me Here
The BAG mindset led me to learn about something deeper —
Masamune, the legendary Japanese swordsmith.
His blades weren’t just tools —
they were symbols of restraint and spiritual craftsmanship.
That hit home.
That’s how I view BAG.
God-given. Spirit-led. A lost treasure that I’ve been entrusted to carry, protect, and share.
But like Masamune’s work, BAG must be:
- Refined in silence
- Sharpened in seasons like this
- Built slowly with intention
This Took: BRAINS — Studying ancient mastery and aligning it to your modern mission.
This Took: GUTS — Honoring your path even when it’s slow and unseen.
The Body Is Listening
I hyperextended my left leg recently.
Honestly — it was discouraging. Especially because my right leg had just reached about 90% recovery.
But this time? I came prepared.
I’m using the same voodoo band methods that helped last time —
and the results are coming fast.
From limping to walking again, I’ve been documenting everything.
And I’m genuinely proud of how I’ve applied the BAG recovery process to this injury.
I’m not just healing.
I’m evolving.
This Took: BRAINS — Applying proven techniques.
This Took: GUTS — Showing up through pain with discipline and faith.
Small Wins = Big Growth
My diet is shifting too —
- Less sugar
- Fewer carbs
- Better decisions
I didn’t go cold turkey.
I took strategic cuts, starting slow and sustainable.
And when I turned down a cookie I usually love, I felt the win.
Not because I was depriving myself —
but because I remembered the mission.
This blade is getting sharper.
And Coach Bag is being forged through discipline, not desire.
Becoming Coach Bag
There’s something deep happening.
I’ve realized it’s time to step into my next form —
not just as a player, but as a teacher.
It’s time to stop always trying to show people what I can do —
and start teaching them how they can access it within themselves.
That’s restraint.
That’s clarity.
That’s spiritual depth.
The blade isn’t dull.
It’s being crafted into something more precise, more powerful, and more aligned with who I’m meant to be.
Wrap-Up: Sharpened, Not Silenced
Day 4 was about clarity.
Recovery.
Discipline.
And the mindset of a master craftsman.
I’m proud of how I moved today — in thought, in spirit, and in the body.
The shift into Coach Bag has started.
And this journey is just getting sharper.
DAY 5 – The Day of Restraint
Focus: Emotional Growth | Self-Control | Letting Go
Symbol: The Sheathed Sword
Takes: BRAINS & GUTS
Yesterday was restraint again.
An invite to hoop came… but I declined.
Not from fear, but because I knew better.
I understood it was time to rest.
It was a chance to coach myself, not just compete.
Later in the day, I went to a different, quiet park.
Worked on the aids lightly, with intention.
Still felt off.
But that led to a new search —
An aid I once had… but lost.
This is the BAG way:
Seeking balance.
Finding the aid.
Reaching gratitude.
Then, I took time to continue building the foundation with my mother.
I’m blessed to have a mother so amazing and supportive.
We’ve learned to discuss ideas and stay away from surface-level conversation.
It’s refreshing.
It’s healing.
It’s growth.
This bond used to be hard for me.
Now it’s one of the best things I’ve ever known.
This Took:
BRAINS – Trusting the slowdown. Realizing not every opportunity is for you.
GUTS – Holding space for relationships and doing the deep work.
DAY 6 – Sharpen Everything
Focus: Execution | Refinement | Energy Management
Symbol: The Sharpened Edge
Takes: BRAINS & GUTS
Today was about sharpening everything — not just the sword.
Returned to work.
Worked with a great man — seasoned, sharp, precise.
It’s a pleasure to work with someone who’s refined in their approach.
His training process built more confidence in areas I lacked.
Every task he gave me was something I needed to brush up on.
And because I’ve grown mentally, I handled the criticism and correction.
He stepped in, and I grew immediately by accepting his help.
By far the best day I’ve had at the job.
And the day before was good too… so yes, we’re sharpening.
Also — that shot I kept missing left?
I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
While at work, I was practicing mentally.
In the bathroom mirror.
On my break.
Fixing my forearm angle.
Looking for that release location that would solve the miss.
After work, I gave my daughter all the love I had left in the tank.
Dropped her off and headed straight to the park.
Gratitude.
Everywhere.
Swish after swish after swish.
Locked in the aid.
Found form cues.
Behind the backboard. Half court. Doesn’t matter.
Then I got home in time for leg rehab —
Because Coach Bag’s health is the weapon.
I’m breathing motivation.
Sharpen Season is in full effect.
Every day is exciting.
Every day is worth it.
It takes brains and guts.
Always grateful.
This Took:
BRAINS – Mental correction, focused discipline, balance in recovery and performance.
GUTS – Showing up through fatigue, staying devoted to your vision, even when no one’s watching.
Wrap-Up – The Sharpened State
These three days weren’t flashy.
They weren’t loud.
They were quietly transformative.
They were sharpening moments.
Sharpening your sword doesn’t always lead to swinging it.
Sometimes it’s in the restraint.
Sometimes it’s in the search.
Sometimes it’s in the love you give at the end of a long day.
Sometimes it’s swishing a shot no one saw but you.
This is the Brains and Guts blog.
This is the Balance Aids Gratitude way.
This is Coach Bag.
Let the world sharpen.
Let the blade shine.
Coach BAG 
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