One More Season

Here in Texas, girls' basketball practices just started, boys' basketball practice starts this week, and football and volleyball are gearing up for the playoffs.

Whether you are a freshman just getting your career started or a senior starting your last season, ENJOY every second of it because when it's over, it's over. 

Enjoy the excitement of the first practice, the first scrimmage and the first game.  The tournaments are the best way to get to know your teammates and coaches because you spend so much time with them.

Recharge right before district starts and half-way through district.  Cherish those Saturday morning practices and those holiday practices.  Time in the gym alone with your team without having to worry about school is a BLESSING.

Make a scrapbook, make a blog, video as much as you can.  Just enjoy it all.  Get to know your coaches on a different level than just sports.  Get to know their family.  Build a strong relationship with at least one teacher.

Some of the best advice I received was from my college coach.  At the start of every season, he told us that every year, good things are going to happen and bad things are going to happen.  When good things happen, ride the wave, enjoy the success, stay consistent, and don't get overly confident.  When bad things happen, don't get too down.  Stay positive, bring energy and enthusiasm, and say only positive things to yourself and your teammates.  Have faith that something good will happen sooner than later.

Before every game, my college coach repeated the same thing.  Seasons, games, and life are all the same.  They are filled with good and bad.  It's all about how you handle the pressures, grow from the pressures and impact others.  You are going to go through adversity.  It's how you get through it that matters.  Were you positive and a good person, or did you let the adversity get to you in a negative way?

This season and your career os going to go by quicker than you know.  Just enjoy it all, be present in every moment, and take it all in.  And thank as many people along the way as you can.