Treasuring where you are prevents you from landing where you never wanted to be

​After last weeks demoralizing loss to Northern Illinois, you would think Notre Dame's demoralizing win over Purdue would have been the biggest story in my college football world yesterday.

But it wasn't. Not even close. To me that story was in Austin, Texas.

Last night, Quinn Ewers, a Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback for Texas, went down with an injury. In to fill his spot came Arch Manning, one of the most talked about college recruits in decades a couple of years ago.

Manning, of the Archie and Peyton and Eli Manning quarterback family tree, is in his third year at Texas. Many have questioned why he hasn't transferred, given how unlikely it is he'd be given a chance of much playing time with Ewers still at Texas this year, AND given how easy it is for a college athlete to jump to another school if he or she doesn't like where they are these days.

In response, Manning has said, “It’s tough because you want to be out there playing with your boys, but it came down to just realizing there’s nowhere else I want to be, and it was my dream to play at Texas. I’m going to stick it out and play there eventually.”

Well, last night was Manning's first real dose of eventually. What did he do with the chance? He threw for 223 yards and four touchdowns and had a 67 yard run for another score.

Texas won the game 56-7.

I've heard some describe Manning as patient. I don't see it that way at all. I see Manning laser focused on appreciating where he is and all that space has to offer. Without that focus, he'd be tempted to go somewhere he's never in his life dreamed of going and end up missing what he left behind.

I've heard and read that sentiment echoed by countless college athletes missing what they left. I've heard it echoed by many non college athletes.

Our world is sort of built on tempting us to look elsewhere. Built on selling us on the next thing. And the only way we can be sold on a next thing, really, is if we can be convinced what we have is not enough. Why would I buy anything if I'm convinced what I already have is more than enough?

Many things I purchase or pursue are out of necessity. If I don't purchase food I won't live.

But many things I purchase or pursue, probably many more, are because I've become convinced what I'm living with isn't enough.

So I deeply admire Arch Manning. He's no doubt heard from many sellers trying to convince him Texas isn't enough given how much better things could be somewhere else.

It turns out Manning isn't as interested in finding better as he is treasuring a place he's always wanted to be. And after last night, I have a feeling that place is treasuring him right back.