Too many demands... who cares?

I started to write about how to sustain motivation despite the surrounding negativism. The the negativity got to me! Does any one really care? Do people really want support or opinions?

I am beginning to believe nobody cares. As Kirk Weisler might say... they just point out the poo! (Check out: http://dogpoopinitiative.com/). Art Williams said, "all you can do is all you can do". I ask.... but who cares if all they really want to do is complain?

• Kids talk back... have an answer for everything.
• Employees only want to do what they want to do.... what does it matter what their Job is.
• Referees at youth sporting events are always wrong... just listen to the fans.
• Kids with lots of energy are presumed to have ADD.... maybe they are acting their age.
• Few will do anything for you.... unless there is something in it for them.

Does anything really matter? Who really cares?

Parents of youth athletes.... get a grip! Coaches.... train for success

I have no idea what I am going to write about... there are tons of thought swirling in my head.

I keep thinking of the mother of a 4-6 year old I heard laying into a coach at 202 Recreation Center (street hockey) because her kid was playing defense and was not up front playing center - after all "he was the best player on the team". There was no doubt in that her kid was the best, all you had to do it listen. My gosh lady, these are 4-6 year old trying to lean the game of hockey! Some of us might not understand that style... the one where you just let one kid do it all and the others watch. At this level, I think teaching team work is more important that putting the ball in the net. Why do they keep score anyway?

The there was the mother at Olympia watching her Johnny play ice hockey... these kids we bantams... I guess 14 or 15 year olds. All we kept hearing was "hit em Johnny... hit em. Come on Johnny, don't take that, hit em harder... hit em Johnny" That went on and on. Well, finally someone on the other team got tired of her dear Johnny "hittin' em".... he drove Johnny into the boards... actually a good check that Johnny never saw coming. Now I know why there is glass around the rink... it is all that kept little Johnny's mother from going onto the ice. She came out of the stands and hit the boards almost as hard as Johnny did... visions of revenge in her eyes... she wanted that other kid. OMG, if you could have heard what she said to him... she wanted to rip his eyes out for hitting poor Johnny.

Then there are the coaches that are there for the ride... when my son asked a coach a question once (actually an assistant coach), rather than supporting him and "coaching him", the snide remark was "what, do you think you are going to the NHL"? Odds are his line of thought means Ryan has a long road and steep odds to make it to the NHL.... but if he ever does, I know I will personally call that coach and tell him.... well, you figure it out. I think our jobs as coaches and parents is to support and help our kids reach for the stars. If they make it, cool. If they fall short, even way short, but had a great ride trying to get there, that's OK too. Just think if everyone listened to the naysayers... we'd all be losers too.

If you have not seen the movie Goal... that's OK, get it for your youth athlete and make sure they see it, and then see it again. Let them know that whether it is sports, academics or business.... they can if they try. Then get them Miracle and and make sure they hear Herb's line when he says (likely paraphrased here) "I can't promise you we will be the best team in Lake Placid, but I will guarantee you we will be the best conditioned". For any chance of success, it will take work, and more work and then work some more. Support the kids in what ever they want to do or try.... never say they can't.

Bridgwood Belivers... it makes you think

A friend, Mike Bridgwood has been fighting non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is in serious condition. He and his wonderful family needs our prayers and thoughts as they go through this terrible time. It was just over a year ago I lost another dear friend, Mary Conser, after her battle with that horrendous disease.

I guess I felt it while Mary was in the midst of her battle, but it did not manifest itself until I began having conversations with Mike and reading the many journal entries and e-mails we have exchanged. What is really important in life? As sick as Mike was, he tried to take the time every day he could to write to us all in his journal and and by sending personal e-mails. Mike is a devout bible reading Christan that corrected us when we suggest he "keep the faith" during his battle, he would remind us instead to "spread the faith". Mike's words of wisdom were an inspiration to us all... I know I really appreciated him taking the time for "us" and keeping everyone up to date with his journal. He constantly reminded us what was important in life.

We sat at one of Chris's little league games talking. Mike shared his realization of what was important to him. Mike is a believer of... first and foremost, his love and belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.... his belief in family, especially his wife followed closely by his and their children... he believed in praying for others... his belief in doing the right thing... his belief in helping others... his belief in sharing and thanking those that are there for you.... his belief that earthly possessions really mean so little compared to an eternal life with God... his new found belief of not getting stressed over the little things that really don't matter.... his belief we should all be reading the bible and learning from it.... and the hopes that we all become believers.

I think inside we all know that. Unfortunately, we don't take the time to live it, many of us don't. Life should be fun, exciting, loving, friendly and a whole lot more. Mike reminded me of that. Getting there will be the tough part.

We had silicone bracelets made with "Bridgwood Believers" engraved. I haven't taken my bracelet off since the day they arrived. No only was the bracelet a way of providing some financial help to Mike, but it serves as a constant reminder of what a Bridgwood Believer is. What matters in life and what we should focus on. Read Mike journal (the link is at the bottom of the blog page), think about what is important..... forgive, forget and tell someone you love them!