Sports has always been and probably will always be significant in our families lives. My wife and I both participated in sports and found it very rewarding. There are just so many amazing advantages to kids and their parents when sports are included in their daily activities. For one thing there are both mental and physical benefits as it relates to overall health. Our daughter has a difficult time with seasonal allergies. Thanks to sports she has responded quite well when she's dealing with the wheezing and sneezing etc., because it forces her to breathe deeply and the air she's intaking is fresh and outdoors vs. being stuck indoors sucking on a humidifier.
Sports have also become a very positive distraction for her and it seems to actually enhance her competitive nature during these most difficult times.
Speaking of distractions, youth sports have in my experience, proven to help kids focus and most importantly it has kept a boatload of kids off the streets and out of trouble. Being a retired law enforcement professional, I have personally witnessed troubled kids turn their lives around and become viable and outstanding law abidding citizens due to their involvement in sports. Of course, there are a few who fall off the wagon and become involved with the wrong crowd or group, leading them to crime, but those aren't the ones I'm talking about. There are tons of documented success stories, than those of the failures.
Sports has a way of turning intraverted kids into excited outgoing communicating team builders and leaders.... YEAH!!
This phenomena is especially helpful when its time for them to grow up and get out into the job market(s). The beautiful results are that these kids are usually no longer insecure, but confident individuals who are driven. They tend to look you in the eye and state exactly what it is they want and why. Sports has assisted with the development of recognizing and enjoying the sweetness of victory, as well as shielding them against the depressive state of dealing with the agony of defeat. So if they don't win today so be it. Thankfully, it becomes somewhat of a motivator, because they've learned that you can't win by merely be comfortable to sitting on the sideline. You've got to get in the game! The kids I'm talking about know how to do just that.
We are just so very proud of Taylor. Although she loves practically any sport, she's really dialed into soccer and basketball. This year she was selected to participate in a State wide soccer event called, ODP, which is an acroynm for Olympic Development Program. This was and is an incredible achievement, because you have to tryout/compete, in order to be selected. This program, trains and prepares kids for State, Nationals, College and olympic level competitions in soccer. She really enjoyed it and I sure she'll tryout again next year too. This year's season ending basketball playoffs, she was just short of a triple double.
"You Go GIRL!!"
So, if your brother, sister, son, daughter, niece or nehew etc. is willing to except the challenge to having absolutely incredible fun and the possibility of achieving greatness.... Please don't just point them to it, but get up and literally get involved and take them to the nearest youth sports entity and... GET IN THE GAME!
First, congratulations to your daughter for being such a super-athlete and enjoying it so much. I've always been athletic, played lots of different sports throughout my life, and still continue to be pretty active. My daughter was a high level gymnast, and also was on the track team in high school, and for a short time in college as well. A day doesn't go by when she doesn't jog or work out at the gym.
ReplyDeleteHello NP, thanks for the visit and comments. I know exactly what you mean, I too will always have sports at the focal point and part of my daily activities. Stay healthy, safe and committed.
ReplyDelete