It’s one of the first truly chilly Fall mornings in Minnesota but the players are up early to gather on the field for football practice and a game. As they run through drills practicing their throws, runs, and blocking, they listen carefully to their coaches. The players have much to learn but they are focused and with the support of their team, their coaches, and their fans, some will become lovers of the game forever. There are no big salaries, no team owners with agendas, no refs on strike – it’s not about any of those things. It’s a game… and for these players, who are only four- years old, it is about being fully committed to a game that they are just learning to love.
I had the opportunity last weekend to go watch my Great-Nephew play one of his first games of football. Will is your typical four-year old boy who is full of energy and is so excited about everything he is learning in life. When he is told to run, he gives it all he has and doesn’t slow until they tell him to “stop!” When he is told to pull the other player’s flag from his belt, his eyes focus on that flag with complete concentration and nothing will deter him from his goal. He runs, he falls, he tackles (sometimes it just can’t be helped), he cheers for his teammates, and he dances when he knows he’s done a good job.
As the game is played, from the sidelines to the field, every emotion is played out. The fans on the sidelines cheer for the players, some might be nervous for their own players, and all feel the agony of a player’s hurt knee…or hurt feelings. On the field, confusion and frustration are evident as players realize they are running the wrong way or pulling the flag from their own team member – but that is how they learn. There is joy when they feel like they are doing it all right – one little boy who after every single play, looks to his parents on the sidelines and, with a huge grin on his little face, screams “I think we are winning!” There is no scoring in this game. That isn’t really the reason for playing. They are there to have a good time together. They are there to learn how to use their bodies for the sport. And they are there to learn the basics of good sportsmanship. From the pre-game huddle to the end-of-game lineup, they are learning what being on a team is about, about it being OK to make mistakes, about encouraging each other to do their best, and about celebrating their accomplishments after working hard.
As the years go by, these young football players will learn the rules of the game. Scoring will become very important and there will occasionally be penalties for making mistakes. But it is the lessons learned on the field at four-years old that will make them into truly great players…and great young men.
These are the very lessons and the very core principles that we should all value – whether in football, or at work, or in our personal relationships. Although there are likely many times when we all feel very much alone, life isn’t an individual sport. We need those around us to always be helping us learn, accepting our faults, and sharing our joys. Be that person for someone today. Is someone you work with struggling to learn a new concept or skill? Maybe you can take a few minutes and show them the way. Is someone you love having a bad time because they feel like they have failed in some way? Let them know failing is human and they are loved no matter what. It has to begin with you. We have to be committed to making the most of every play…because we only get so much time on the field.
Make your moments matter today…
No comments:
Post a Comment