Joanna: teams work together
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You wouldn't believe the game last night. It was the closest game I've ever seen. Each team really wanted to win. At the plate they looked real mean. At the end of nine innings the score was tied 4 to 4. And after 10, 11 and 12, neither could score any more. Then the Mariners homered and made it 4 to 5. Then Paul O'Neill homered too and kept the Yanks alive. Then - bottom of the 15th with a man on first the Yankees homered again. Yanks 7 Mariners 5 was the score at the end! Yeah Team!!!
P.s. I put tons of butter on the broccoli!
Sports! Sports! Sports! It's fun. There's camaraderie with your teammates and that's good. There's discipline and practice - good lessons to learn. But there's something else too - something that I missed out on by not playing sports as a kid growing up. That something is challenging yourself to be the best - to be your best - at something. Then believing in yourself - in the skills you've worked to achieve and challenging the other team, the other players, the pitcher when you're at bat, the person guarding you when you're dribbling up court, challenging them to stop you, to get you out if they can. Testing your best against their best. Isn't that why sports is more than just hitting a ball around?
Teamwork - it's Work to be on a Team. When Teams Work together, they win. Team: a group of people who play together to win at a sport or competition. Why do you think they call it work?
Being on a team is a challenge. You are challenged to be your best and to help your teammates be their best. If you do that - if everyone does that - you will have a winning team. Every team has its share of hot dogs or people who think of themselves as superstars. They go with the competitive nature of sports. All you can do is be your best and try to help everyone - even the "superstars" be their best as well. It's called "sportsmanship." It's called "team first." It's called "leadership." So leave those other feelings off the court. Play as a team. Win or lose, play your best and have fun.
Good morning. Whenever there's a lot on the line, the challenge for the player is to relax and play loose. The natural tendency is to tighten up and feel nervous, which makes it harder to do your best. It's like walking on a curb without falling off is easy. But put that curb 100 ft. in the air and you'd never go near it. I don't have any magic way to help you relax in this stressful year. But maybe just remembering to play loose, thinking about it from time to time, will help you achieve some measure of success. It's not easy I know. But it's important to try. So be calm, relax and play loose Joanna! And remember that I love you!
It's another day Joanna. Another day to try and succeed. To experiment. To learn. To laugh and have fun. To love and support. To discover the best that you can be. And you can be pretty damn good! You put your heart into whatever you do. You care about other people, your friends, your teachers. You care about your school. Today you take yourself out on the court for your last game of the season. Bring your "A" game. Spur on your teammates to play their best. Play with heart, passion and desire to win. I can't wait to watch. Win or lose - play your best. I love you so much!
Good morning good day! Hey Hey Ms. All Conference Whatayasay?
Pretty impressive! I was very proud of you! I surprised myself at how proud I felt carrying your trophy as we left the gym. Silly I know but I couldn't help it. I thought you really had improved this year and I was glad to see it recognized. I don't remember which coach said it but one of them said that success in sports is directly correlated to the hard work and dedication you put in. It's really true in academics as well. Put in the work and see the results. You're proof of that theory as well! I love you so much.
Just learn from every game Joanna. Think about what worked and what didn't work. Think about everything - the good and the bad. Think about it all as the learning experience that it is and slowly you will get better - the team will get better - and you will win. I didn't realize that you were embarrassed of your team - I'm sorry that you feel that way but I can see how I might feel that way if it were my team too. So hey! Try to get yourself to a mental place where you can accept it (not like it - just accept it) and then play and work on things that need improving. Say "Okay - this is where we are - let's make ourselves better!" You can you know - you know that right? Positive attitudes grow winning teams - it's not just a line of crap. I love you so much!
"Wow! Who's that no. 8? She's really good!" You played well and deserved the compliment. How many games have you played that went into extra points? How many back to back? It was draining to watch it must have been brutal to play. You played as a team and in the end you lost as a team and it was an honor to be there. It's not a crime to run out of gas like that so be proud in your disappointment.
Volleyball is a game that those who don't play it assume it's easier than other sports - they couldn't be more wrong. I love you for your drive, your determination, your energy and enthusiasm, your desire for balance, the way you're in touch with the deep flowing currents of your feelings. You have more talents than you know. Live and discover them!
There's an old Christian saying that goes something like "God never gives you more than you're strong enough to deal with" I shouldn't have used quotes because it's really just a paraphrase. Atheists would say "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Deal with your ankle, but then forget it. Don't worry about it and play because you can't do that well - you won't be able to play your best unless you just mind over matter it and forget it. You won't be happy with yourself and your contribution to that team unless you do. Be smart; prep before practices and games but then go out and just play. I almost didn't write this because I know you will do this anyway. I love you so much! (By the way, I subscribe to both theories).
It was a nice day for softball yesterday. I'm sorry that it didn't turn out to be a good game and a win for BC. Don't let it keep you from regaining your confidence and winning again. It would be nice to go out on a winning note. You guys have the talent, now you need the faith and the confidence that belief in yourself brings. Everyone needs that. Belief in themselves I mean. We all need it "in spades" as they used to say. It's not always easy - it's never easy. But it's the way to success. I love you Joanna.