Examples........

So my kids started soccer this morning, they will have a couple more practices before their first game in a couple weeks. This is the first time either of them have ever played soccer. Now, we are soccer fans in our house. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE watching the professionals. We have, thanks to some amazing friends of ours, been to several MLS games to see our favorite club play. I've tried for a couple of years to get Logan to play, but he hasn't wanted to. Alaina on the other hand has been asking for a couple years to play but because of her dance schedule it just wasn't really an option for her. Now that we have moved and their whole lives have been upended, we decided to put them in soccer. They have been so used to having stuff to do, that it's been hard on them not really doing anything other than school and church. At first Logan wasn't too thrilled, but the closer it got to being time to play and then finding out that his first practice was going to be this morning, he became really excited. Afterwards he said, "Mom! That was a lot of fun! I think I'm really going to like playing soccer." Alaina of course had a great time too and was happy to finally be given the chance to play. Interestingly enough, already this morning we were able to have conversations about work and practice ethics. We talked about how Beckerman and Saborio listen to their coaches and do what they are asked to do. Logan wasn't really thrilled about all the running on the field and so he was just kind of halfheartedly running. I talked to him and said, is that how Beckerman runs on the field? How about Saborio? His answer, was of course, no. We talked about why they were such great players and how they worked hard on and off the field, ate healthy, and did their best. His attitude about it changed, and I'm so grateful that I had some tangible people that he knows, and has watch play live on the field as well as on T.V., to put into perspective of what needs to be done. I know many people say that athletes shouldn't be role models because most of them self-destruct. While I agree mostly, I think that they can be used for teaching certain principles. In my son's case he really likes these players, and we do too. Having him understand that he can see how hard Beckerman and the other players run on the field, focus, and work as a team is good. He can see the difference in how they are approaching their play versus how he is. Now, I know that a lot of athletes and other famous people are real jerks, but there are those few bright spots among them that really shine because they aren't like that. I for one am thankful that we had some excellent examples this morning for my kids to think about and hopefully help them WANT to be better at working hard on the field.