Dr. Kenney’s Friday 5 Spot
On Fridays, I like to share experiences from my week—both with patients and in my personal life—that have left a meaningful impact. My hope is that these reflections offer you something of value, a bit of insight or encouragement that resonates with your own journey and inspires you in some way.
An important question. There is a simple but powerful question we face constantly as adults – are we preparing, or are we repairing? Preparation is proactive. It shows up in planning ahead, building good habits, staying consistent, and maintaining the right attitude even when it’s inconvenient. It doesn’t require perfection, but it does necessitate intention and effort. When we choose to prepare, we invest in our future by making decisions today that make tomorrow easier, more productive, and more successful.
Repair, on the other hand, is reactive. It’s what we’re forced to do after neglect, poor decisions, or lack of follow-through catch up with us. There’s no shame in having to repair because it’s a necessary part of growth. However, it often costs far more time, energy, and stress than preparation ever would. The key is self-awareness. Take a moment to evaluate your daily actions and ask yourself, “am I setting myself up for success, or am I creating problems I’ll have to fix later?” The more you can lean toward preparation, the more control, confidence, and momentum you’ll build over time.
Something I loved. On the very first offensive play of our opening spring football game, my son broke free for a long touchdown. As a dad and coach, that was exciting, but what stood out even more was what happened after he crossed the goal line. Every player on the field celebrated with him, and even the players on the sideline ran down to join in. It wasn’t just about the score, it was about the energy he created. Watching that moment, it hit me: he wasn’t just making a play, he was bringing people together. He was becoming what I like to call a “glue guy.”
Every team, family, and organization benefits from someone like that. A “glue guy” isn’t always the most vocal leader or the most naturally talented, but they elevate everyone around them. They work hard, carry a positive attitude, and connect with others in a way that builds unity and trust. Their impact shows up in how a group feels and performs together. The great thing is that this role isn’t reserved for a select few, it’s a choice. Anyone can decide to be the person who encourages others, celebrates shared success, and strengthens the group. When you do that, you don’t just improve yourself, you make everyone around you better and hold them together like glue.
An analogy I like. I’ve always enjoyed cooking, but baking has never been my favorite. With cooking, you can adjust along the way and rely on feel by adding or removing ingredients. Baking, on the other hand, is more like science. You follow the steps, put it in the oven, and then wait. The result is either done right, not done, or overdone and there’s no changing it once the process is complete. In many ways, life works the same way. We make decisions, put in effort, and then must live with the outcome. Sometimes it turns out great, sometimes it doesn’t, and often we don’t know which it will be until it’s finished.
When things go wrong, it’s usually clear. Like something burnt, it needs to be addressed and often started over. Likewise, when things go right, it makes sense to repeat what worked. The real challenge lies in the middle, when you’re unsure if you’re on the right track. That’s where fundamentals matter most. Just like baking, life rewards those who follow sound principles. These include using the right ingredients, remaining patient, not rushing the process, and trusting the method. Over time, both successes and failures become feedback, helping you refine your approach. You may not always know exactly how things will turn out, but if you commit to doing things the right way, you give yourself the best chance for a great result.
Something I believe. There’s a Japanese proverb I’ve always appreciated: “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” It’s a simple idea, but it captures something essential about growth and resilience. Progress rarely happens without setbacks, and the people who ultimately succeed aren’t the ones who avoid failure, they’re the ones who refuse to stay down. Too often, we see the opposite. One setback becomes the stopping point, and instead of trying again, people replay their mishaps and stay stuck there. The difference isn’t talent or luck as much as it is the willingness to keep showing up, even after things don’t go as planned.
Life will inevitably deliver tough blows. Some may be fair, others not, and they’re likely to occur at the worst possible times. While we cannot control what happens to us, we can always control how we respond. Getting back up isn’t always dramatic or inspiring in the moment; sometimes it’s simply choosing to try again when you don’t feel like it. However, those small decisions add up over time and shape the direction of your life. When you face adversity, the choice is simple, stay down or get back up. One keeps you stuck in the past, the other moves you forward. If you keep choosing to stand up, no matter how many times it takes, you give yourself a chance to build something stronger on the other side.
Some quotes I Love.
“Smile when you think you can’t. Especially then. Not to deny reality but to claim your power within it. Not to pretend everything is okay, but to affirm that you are okay, that you can handle this, that you will get through it.” – Andy Glaze
“You don’t know what type of team, organization, family or crew you have until you take a loss. That’s when true character, values, and intentions are revealed. Thank God for the losses, they show you who deserves to be there when you win.” – Inky Johnson