Guess what? It's already Tuesday...and it's your last week of classes/bowling/canoeing/whatever other random activities are going on out there. Yes, I think I hear a faint chorus of "halleluiah" coming from the direction of the high school...
Unfortunately for those of us who are adults (or at least pretend to be), the end of May is really no different than the end of, oh, November (except that it's hotter than bejeezus outside). Yes, Coach and I will be here all week...all summer...all year...pretty much eternity. (side note: I was just reminded of when I was little, and I used to try to conceptualize the whole idea of heaven and eternity, and somehow I would just end up imagining myself playing checkers with God for a really, really, really long time. And the bummer of it all was, I never won.)
Here's your quote of the day:
"A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men." -Roald Dahl (the wise and witty author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
As referenced above, you have a bit of a nutty week ahead, and you may be wondering why you are being made to come to school, just so you can be sent down the river with your classmates or scored on how many pins you can knock down with a heavy black ball. It's a little nonsensical, true, but nonsense is good every now and then. So, put on your crazy caps, and go out there and have some fun. Live it up. Enjoy every random minute. And as you are careening down the new waterslide at Nashville Shores, think of those of us stuck back here staring at computer screens. Hey, we'll be out there with you in spirit...
Hope to see you all tonight!
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
practicing random kindness
Well, I think that we could probably all agree on one thing...May is nuts. Crazy busy. An attempt to cram 10,000 things into 31 days. Is it any wonder we need a long weekend at the end of it?
And when we get super-busy, we often have the tendency to become too focused on the tasks at hand, to let stress and schedules overwhelm us, and to become wrapped up in the craziness of our own little worlds. So, the quote of today is:
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia
In this busy season, don't forget the little things. Pat someone on the back. Call a friend you haven't talked to in awhile. Smile at the person behind you in the McDonald's line. Wave to the mailman. Thank the cafeteria workers for all the meals they prepared.
And I promise, that even doing the smallest of these things will bring a lift to your spirits...and you never know what positive effect it will have on the other person...
Have a great day, and good luck with your exams!
And when we get super-busy, we often have the tendency to become too focused on the tasks at hand, to let stress and schedules overwhelm us, and to become wrapped up in the craziness of our own little worlds. So, the quote of today is:
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia
In this busy season, don't forget the little things. Pat someone on the back. Call a friend you haven't talked to in awhile. Smile at the person behind you in the McDonald's line. Wave to the mailman. Thank the cafeteria workers for all the meals they prepared.
And I promise, that even doing the smallest of these things will bring a lift to your spirits...and you never know what positive effect it will have on the other person...
Have a great day, and good luck with your exams!
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Edumacation
Since this is exam week, I thought the quote of the day should deal with education:
"It is possible to store the mind with a million facts and still be entirely uneducated." -Alec Bourne
When faced with exams, it is oh-so-tempting to try to cram all of the important facts, dates, equations, etc. into your mind in a few days, so that you can spew them out onto paper (or a computer keyboard) in a few hours. But what is left after you spew?
Here's a homework assignment for you: Look past the facts. Throw away the figures. Toss out the text. And then, look inside and ask yourself what you have learned this year. What are the bigger lessons? How have you grown? What challenges have you overcome? In what ways do you feel more prepared to face the world than you did last August?
And there, my friends, within those answers, is your education.
Good luck spewing today. :)
"It is possible to store the mind with a million facts and still be entirely uneducated." -Alec Bourne
When faced with exams, it is oh-so-tempting to try to cram all of the important facts, dates, equations, etc. into your mind in a few days, so that you can spew them out onto paper (or a computer keyboard) in a few hours. But what is left after you spew?
Here's a homework assignment for you: Look past the facts. Throw away the figures. Toss out the text. And then, look inside and ask yourself what you have learned this year. What are the bigger lessons? How have you grown? What challenges have you overcome? In what ways do you feel more prepared to face the world than you did last August?
And there, my friends, within those answers, is your education.
Good luck spewing today. :)
laughter
Ok, it's a Monday...and what is a good remedy for a Monday? Why, a quote email of course! The topic of the day: laughter.
One of my personal faves:
"Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh." W.H. Auden
And you can consider these bonus quotes:
"The more you find out about the world, the more opportunities there are to laugh at it." -Bill Nye (the Science Guy)
"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." -e.e. cummings
"Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine." -Lord Byron
May your Monday be filled with laughter. And to help with that, I have attached a picture of me and Coach Smith dressed as trapeze artists at the auction.
Can I get a haha?
One of my personal faves:
"Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh." W.H. Auden
And you can consider these bonus quotes:
"The more you find out about the world, the more opportunities there are to laugh at it." -Bill Nye (the Science Guy)
"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." -e.e. cummings
"Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine." -Lord Byron
May your Monday be filled with laughter. And to help with that, I have attached a picture of me and Coach Smith dressed as trapeze artists at the auction.
Can I get a haha?
look for the moon
Ok everybody...it is officially Friday. Let me hear you say "Haaa---aaay!"
Here's your quote:
“barn’s burnt down… now I can see the moon.” - Masahide
Seems a little random at first glance (or maybe you read it two or three times and are still scratching your head and thinking, "The crack fairy must be living at Coach T.'s house now") But, it's basically a reminder that we have a choice every day when we encounter difficulties. We can either become discouraged and only see the bad in the situation, or, we can look for the positivity and the possibilities in the moment.
So, the next time you encounter troubles, I challenge you, look for the moon.
And, hey, have a fantabulous weekend while you're at it.
Here's your quote:
“barn’s burnt down… now I can see the moon.” - Masahide
Seems a little random at first glance (or maybe you read it two or three times and are still scratching your head and thinking, "The crack fairy must be living at Coach T.'s house now") But, it's basically a reminder that we have a choice every day when we encounter difficulties. We can either become discouraged and only see the bad in the situation, or, we can look for the positivity and the possibilities in the moment.
So, the next time you encounter troubles, I challenge you, look for the moon.
And, hey, have a fantabulous weekend while you're at it.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
dreams
Today's quote is a popular one you might recognize:
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Now, we're not talking about just regular dreams that pop up in our sleep, the I-ate-hummus-a-little-too-late-and-the-garlic-is-messing-with-my-subconscious kind of dreams. No, we're talking about the dreams that you hold in your heart...the vision you have for your future...your deepest hopes and desires. Sometimes, I think we try to suppress our dreams...we think that they are too much...that we want too much or hope too much, and we are afraid that the probability of them coming true is just too small, so we try not to place too much stock in them . But your dreams should be beautiful...they should be astounding and exciting...and you should believe in them. These are the dreams of your heart...and they are there for a reason.
Dare to believe in the beauty of your dreams.
Dare to believe.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Now, we're not talking about just regular dreams that pop up in our sleep, the I-ate-hummus-a-little-too-late-and-the-garlic-is-messing-with-my-subconscious kind of dreams. No, we're talking about the dreams that you hold in your heart...the vision you have for your future...your deepest hopes and desires. Sometimes, I think we try to suppress our dreams...we think that they are too much...that we want too much or hope too much, and we are afraid that the probability of them coming true is just too small, so we try not to place too much stock in them . But your dreams should be beautiful...they should be astounding and exciting...and you should believe in them. These are the dreams of your heart...and they are there for a reason.
Dare to believe in the beauty of your dreams.
Dare to believe.
tiger, tiger, burning bright
It's time for the QOTD (Quote of the Day)...I'm into abbreviating things today...remember all those crazy ones you signed letters with when you were, like, ten: BFF, LYLAS, 2cool 2b 4gotten...ok, I'm running out of them now...
On the same subject, though, you know how they have GLOW (the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling)? I think we need to establish the LLOL (the Lovely Ladies of Lacrosse). It has a nice ring to it, no?
Here's your quote:
“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars...” - Jack Kerouac
What makes you burn? What sparks your passion? How is your life like a "fabulous roman candle"? Today, I challenge you to think of the ways that you want to light up the world...
Have a great one...TTFN
On the same subject, though, you know how they have GLOW (the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling)? I think we need to establish the LLOL (the Lovely Ladies of Lacrosse). It has a nice ring to it, no?
Here's your quote:
“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars...” - Jack Kerouac
What makes you burn? What sparks your passion? How is your life like a "fabulous roman candle"? Today, I challenge you to think of the ways that you want to light up the world...
Have a great one...TTFN
Monday, May 22, 2006
do it
Ok, you crazy "subscribe me" quote crew...here's your Coach T. quote of the day:
“Do one thing every day that scares you.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
Face your fears. Take risks. Push the envelope. Rock the boat. Cross the line. (Let's see how many other clichés I can think of to throw in here). Never let fear hold you back from making a decision you need to make, taking a step that you feel compelled to take, or becoming the person you know you should become.
Just do it. (I must copyright Nike here, so that I don't get sued and have to live in a van down by the river.)
Have a fabulous day!
“Do one thing every day that scares you.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
Face your fears. Take risks. Push the envelope. Rock the boat. Cross the line. (Let's see how many other clichés I can think of to throw in here). Never let fear hold you back from making a decision you need to make, taking a step that you feel compelled to take, or becoming the person you know you should become.
Just do it. (I must copyright Nike here, so that I don't get sued and have to live in a van down by the river.)
Have a fabulous day!
Friday, May 19, 2006
Making history
Ok, so I lied on Friday when I said that I was sending you the last lacrosse quote of the day (I'm addicted, I can't help it, and they haven't yet started a 12-step program for quote-a-holics). This is actually the quote that we set as the "target quote" for our lacrosse program at the beginning of the season:
"Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail..." -Emerson (I think I am going to appoint Emerson as the poet laureate of the lacrosse team)
We did it. We blazed a trail. We gave our school its first state championship ever. We made history on Saturday. I'm hoping that you guys are all feeling the love out there today. Check the home page of the website...you all are the top story.
Coach Smith and I are so proud of you guys. We have been stopping random people on the street to let them know about our amazing, state champion team. You worked hard, and you earned it. If I could take you all to Disneyworld, I would (unfortunately, with my budget, the best I can offer is Nashville Shores).
In the meantime, we hope you all have a state champion kind of day.
"Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail..." -Emerson (I think I am going to appoint Emerson as the poet laureate of the lacrosse team)
We did it. We blazed a trail. We gave our school its first state championship ever. We made history on Saturday. I'm hoping that you guys are all feeling the love out there today. Check the home page of the website...you all are the top story.
Coach Smith and I are so proud of you guys. We have been stopping random people on the street to let them know about our amazing, state champion team. You worked hard, and you earned it. If I could take you all to Disneyworld, I would (unfortunately, with my budget, the best I can offer is Nashville Shores).
In the meantime, we hope you all have a state champion kind of day.
This Day
Ok, lacrosse peeps...this is it. The last day of practice. So, the quote of the day is:
“Nothing is worth more than this day” Goethe
So I'm saying, for this practice, bring it. Bring it all. Show us everything you've got in you. Make today's practice remarkable.
And then tomorrow, we are gonna rock. We are gonna rock Independence like a hurricane. And all of the doubters and haters out there are just going to have to get over themselves.
Seriously, though, I hope that you guys know just how proud Coach Smith and I are of you guys. Sure, we push you and sometimes lose our squash even when you win...but we have seen you grow as players and as a team this year, and we truly believe that you are all pretty remarkable. It's really hard (and somewhat sad) for us to grasp the fact that the season is over tomorrow, and that this is my last "quote of the day" "rah rah sis boom bah" email of the year* (ok, I'm getting a little vaklempt...I need a tissue).
Let's get out there and show everyone tomorrow exactly what a lacrosse team should look like. Let's make it clean, crisp, and full of "chutzpah"!
So tell me, WHO'S GOT BALL?!?!
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(** If you would like to continue to receive Coach T,'s inspirational "Quote of the Day" emails for the remainder of the school year, simply respond to this email with "Subscribe Me!" in the subject line. Every day, you will receive a different insightful, encouraging, or funny quote, sometimes with added commentary, delivered to your inbox, free of charge. If you act now, you will also receive a free mousepad, which is yours to keep even if you choose to unsubscribe at a later date. And yes, I am aware that I am a dork.)
“Nothing is worth more than this day” Goethe
So I'm saying, for this practice, bring it. Bring it all. Show us everything you've got in you. Make today's practice remarkable.
And then tomorrow, we are gonna rock. We are gonna rock Independence like a hurricane. And all of the doubters and haters out there are just going to have to get over themselves.
Seriously, though, I hope that you guys know just how proud Coach Smith and I are of you guys. Sure, we push you and sometimes lose our squash even when you win...but we have seen you grow as players and as a team this year, and we truly believe that you are all pretty remarkable. It's really hard (and somewhat sad) for us to grasp the fact that the season is over tomorrow, and that this is my last "quote of the day" "rah rah sis boom bah" email of the year* (ok, I'm getting a little vaklempt...I need a tissue).
Let's get out there and show everyone tomorrow exactly what a lacrosse team should look like. Let's make it clean, crisp, and full of "chutzpah"!
So tell me, WHO'S GOT BALL?!?!
---------------------------------------------------------------
(** If you would like to continue to receive Coach T,'s inspirational "Quote of the Day" emails for the remainder of the school year, simply respond to this email with "Subscribe Me!" in the subject line. Every day, you will receive a different insightful, encouraging, or funny quote, sometimes with added commentary, delivered to your inbox, free of charge. If you act now, you will also receive a free mousepad, which is yours to keep even if you choose to unsubscribe at a later date. And yes, I am aware that I am a dork.)
Bringing out the best
Hey lax-ers-
The quote of the day is super-long, but there is a lot of wisdom in it. Read it s-l-o-w-l-y and soak it all in:
"Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you!" - Christian D. Larson
Let's continue to work this week to bring out the best in ourselves and in each other. You guys have been working really hard the last couple of days, and it has been awesome. Let's go knock out another fantabulous (yes, I make up words) practice this afternoon.
Remember to get ready quickly and head out to the field and begin warming up ASAP. See you this afternoon!
The quote of the day is super-long, but there is a lot of wisdom in it. Read it s-l-o-w-l-y and soak it all in:
"Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you!" - Christian D. Larson
Let's continue to work this week to bring out the best in ourselves and in each other. You guys have been working really hard the last couple of days, and it has been awesome. Let's go knock out another fantabulous (yes, I make up words) practice this afternoon.
Remember to get ready quickly and head out to the field and begin warming up ASAP. See you this afternoon!
Having a day
Ok, so we are having another day today, and to make it more bearable, we decided to adopt mascots for ourselves. Mine is Wonder Woman, and coach's is Speedy Gonzalez. Together, we fight crime in a really fast way...
What would your mascot be?
Our quote for today is: “If you are going to doubt something, doubt your limits.” – Don Ward
You guys really rocked out in practice yesterday...so let's build on that momentum and have another great practice this afternoon. Push yourselves to do even better, run even faster...make today's effort one step up from yesterday.
We are currently doing anti-rain dances in hopes that we won't have to have an inside practice this afternoon...so as soon as you guys get ready, you should all head out to the field and begin warming up. Everyone should be ready to begin practice by 4:00.
What would your mascot be?
Our quote for today is: “If you are going to doubt something, doubt your limits.” – Don Ward
You guys really rocked out in practice yesterday...so let's build on that momentum and have another great practice this afternoon. Push yourselves to do even better, run even faster...make today's effort one step up from yesterday.
We are currently doing anti-rain dances in hopes that we won't have to have an inside practice this afternoon...so as soon as you guys get ready, you should all head out to the field and begin warming up. Everyone should be ready to begin practice by 4:00.
Showing Up
Here's the quote of the day:
"Eighty percent of success is showing up." -Woody Allen
In this week of preparation for our state final game this Saturday, we need everyone to be at practice every day. If there is any reason why you will not be at practice any day this week (i.e., you are dying), please let us know ASAP. We will begin practice at 4:00 promptly each day (except Friday, which will begin at 3:30). We will have some of the 8th graders joining us this week, so we hope to have a good number at practice and should be able to accompish quite a bit. We will practice hard, so everyone should be prepared to give 1,000% every day.
"Eighty percent of success is showing up." -Woody Allen
In this week of preparation for our state final game this Saturday, we need everyone to be at practice every day. If there is any reason why you will not be at practice any day this week (i.e., you are dying), please let us know ASAP. We will begin practice at 4:00 promptly each day (except Friday, which will begin at 3:30). We will have some of the 8th graders joining us this week, so we hope to have a good number at practice and should be able to accompish quite a bit. We will practice hard, so everyone should be prepared to give 1,000% every day.
Enthusiasm
I loved the quote that Mrs. Bradshaw sent out in the announcement today, so I wanted to pass it along to you:
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
As a team, you have the next two days off from official practice, and you can do with them whatever you like. Our recommendation is that you use this time to work on fitness and your own personal stick skills (cradling, catching, and of course, ground balls!) You can get together as a group or groups, or work on your own...do whatever it is you feel like you need to do to prepare yourself for the week that will lead into our final play-off game.
And, as you are working on all of these things, I want you to focus on cultivating enthusiasm. Say chants together, have a dance party, butt-spell "we rock!", or whatever you need to do to get yourself pumped up for next week. I have already decided that I will be bringing war paint to the game on Saturday...
Next week will be a big week of preparation for us as a team, so we want EVERYONE to make EVERY effort to be at practice EVERY day next week. I am not a person who generally writes in CAPITALS unless I really MEAN IT...so this is Coach T. getting SERIOUS! (I know, it happens very rarely, so take a moment and reflect)
Be productive with the next two afternoons (and over the weekend), and we will see you on Monday!
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
As a team, you have the next two days off from official practice, and you can do with them whatever you like. Our recommendation is that you use this time to work on fitness and your own personal stick skills (cradling, catching, and of course, ground balls!) You can get together as a group or groups, or work on your own...do whatever it is you feel like you need to do to prepare yourself for the week that will lead into our final play-off game.
And, as you are working on all of these things, I want you to focus on cultivating enthusiasm. Say chants together, have a dance party, butt-spell "we rock!", or whatever you need to do to get yourself pumped up for next week. I have already decided that I will be bringing war paint to the game on Saturday...
Next week will be a big week of preparation for us as a team, so we want EVERYONE to make EVERY effort to be at practice EVERY day next week. I am not a person who generally writes in CAPITALS unless I really MEAN IT...so this is Coach T. getting SERIOUS! (I know, it happens very rarely, so take a moment and reflect)
Be productive with the next two afternoons (and over the weekend), and we will see you on Monday!
Unencumbered
I think that we will revisit one of the quotes I have already shared with you, because I think that it is again applicable. It's from our old buddy Emerson:
"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a New Day. You shall begin it with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."
My favorite part of that quote is "with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." I think that the challenge for us today is to un-encumber ourselves from the burdens of our past "blunders and absurdities,", and to move forward and face the next two weeks of practices and games with high spirits. High spirits and chutzpah...that should be our motto for the rest of the season!
Another quote I like is "Always make new mistakes." (Esther Dyson) Mistakes are an inevitable part of life, and they are important to the process of growth and discovery. What becomes troublesome is when we begin to make the same mistakes over and over, instead of learning from them and moving forward onto new mistakes and new lessons to be learned. So, we shouldn't fear mistakes, we should look at them as opportunities to grow and become better. Always look for the lesson...
High spirits and chutzpah!
"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a New Day. You shall begin it with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."
My favorite part of that quote is "with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." I think that the challenge for us today is to un-encumber ourselves from the burdens of our past "blunders and absurdities,", and to move forward and face the next two weeks of practices and games with high spirits. High spirits and chutzpah...that should be our motto for the rest of the season!
Another quote I like is "Always make new mistakes." (Esther Dyson) Mistakes are an inevitable part of life, and they are important to the process of growth and discovery. What becomes troublesome is when we begin to make the same mistakes over and over, instead of learning from them and moving forward onto new mistakes and new lessons to be learned. So, we shouldn't fear mistakes, we should look at them as opportunities to grow and become better. Always look for the lesson...
High spirits and chutzpah!
Follow through
Here's the quote for the day:
"You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through." -Rosalynn Carter
Key words:
* Confidence: you guys have talked about how nervous you get before facing HH. Be confident in yourselves, be confident in your teammates, and be confident in the lessons you have learned and the ways you have grown since we last met HH. You have every ability to go to HH today and own this game. I mean, come on guys...they are the Honeybears. If I was a honeybear, I would run screaming when I saw a tiger.
* Follow-through: this is an area in which we have struggled the last couple of games. We need to start strong and finish strong...and pretty much play strong the entire time in-between. Make the lessons you have learned in practice translate to the game today. Show how tough you are...follow through!
We are going to practice before the game today from 3:30 to 4:30 at our field, so get dressed and ready as quickly as possible after you get out of class. The big E dance party bus will be leaving around 4:45 so we can get to HH by 5:00. Our game begins at 5:30...and I'll be bringing the bus back to the high school after the game.
Get pumped, get psyched, and get ready to rumble!!
"You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through." -Rosalynn Carter
Key words:
* Confidence: you guys have talked about how nervous you get before facing HH. Be confident in yourselves, be confident in your teammates, and be confident in the lessons you have learned and the ways you have grown since we last met HH. You have every ability to go to HH today and own this game. I mean, come on guys...they are the Honeybears. If I was a honeybear, I would run screaming when I saw a tiger.
* Follow-through: this is an area in which we have struggled the last couple of games. We need to start strong and finish strong...and pretty much play strong the entire time in-between. Make the lessons you have learned in practice translate to the game today. Show how tough you are...follow through!
We are going to practice before the game today from 3:30 to 4:30 at our field, so get dressed and ready as quickly as possible after you get out of class. The big E dance party bus will be leaving around 4:45 so we can get to HH by 5:00. Our game begins at 5:30...and I'll be bringing the bus back to the high school after the game.
Get pumped, get psyched, and get ready to rumble!!
Personal best
No deep philosophizing from me today...I didn't eat my Wheaties this morning.
But, I do have a quote of the day:
"There is no point at which you can say, 'Well, I'm successful now. I might as well take a nap.' "- Carrie Fisher
Let us not rest on our laurels, but continue to push ourselves to greater heights every day. The theme for the day is "personal best".
But, I do have a quote of the day:
"There is no point at which you can say, 'Well, I'm successful now. I might as well take a nap.' "- Carrie Fisher
Let us not rest on our laurels, but continue to push ourselves to greater heights every day. The theme for the day is "personal best".
Philosophical
OK, I'm about to get a little philosophical, so watch out! (I know the idea of Coach T. getting deep is probably a little scary, but stay with me on this...)
Someone asked me this morning about our game last night, and I responded, "Yeah, we won." And I didn't realize how nonchalantly I had said it, until they pointed it out to me...almost like it was expected, or that there shouldn't be any question that we would win. And it occurred to me, and it was proven last night, that we do have the ability to play a bad game and still come home with a win, which is both a blessing and a curse. It's a curse, because it doesn't require us to make ourselves any better. If we wanted to, we could just continue to play at the same level, and probably keep putting enough balls in the back of the net to secure more wins. But to me, that doesn't feel right.
Then, in our daily announcement, Mrs. Bradshaw included the quote, "Success isn't measured by the position you reach in life; it's measured by the obstacles you overcome." And another thought occurred to me...we haven't really had to face many obstacles as a team. Sure, we complain about a cow-pasture field...but then we go play a team whose game field was basically built for smurfs, so we aren't the only ones with field issues. The thing is, we can't rely on any other team in our division to push us to the next level...it won't happen. We have to look to ourselves.
What does this mean? It means that we have to challenge each other...that we give 100% in practice, because we know it's the only way to make ourselves, and our teammates better. It means identifying our individual obstacles and working to overcome them. You know what you struggle with individually...whether it's problems catching, not cradling properly, picking bad shots, checking or shooting when you're upset, missing groundballs...you know what areas you need to work on. And to take it to the next level, it means working on these things during practice and on your own time.
We have the potential of becoming state champs in just over two weeks, and that's an exciting thing. But, how sweet would that success be if you didn't feel like we had to work for it...or if you came to the end of the season and didn't feel like you had improved much as a player? I don't want you to walk off the field of the state finals match feeling like we did after the game last night...I want you to walk off the field of that final game feeling like it truly was the best game you have played, individually and as a team.
So, I will now quote the Gatorade ad slogan, "Is it in you?" I believe it is. We have unlimited potential inside of us...we just have to work to bring it out.
Rock on, tiger rockstars...
Someone asked me this morning about our game last night, and I responded, "Yeah, we won." And I didn't realize how nonchalantly I had said it, until they pointed it out to me...almost like it was expected, or that there shouldn't be any question that we would win. And it occurred to me, and it was proven last night, that we do have the ability to play a bad game and still come home with a win, which is both a blessing and a curse. It's a curse, because it doesn't require us to make ourselves any better. If we wanted to, we could just continue to play at the same level, and probably keep putting enough balls in the back of the net to secure more wins. But to me, that doesn't feel right.
Then, in our daily announcement, Mrs. Bradshaw included the quote, "Success isn't measured by the position you reach in life; it's measured by the obstacles you overcome." And another thought occurred to me...we haven't really had to face many obstacles as a team. Sure, we complain about a cow-pasture field...but then we go play a team whose game field was basically built for smurfs, so we aren't the only ones with field issues. The thing is, we can't rely on any other team in our division to push us to the next level...it won't happen. We have to look to ourselves.
What does this mean? It means that we have to challenge each other...that we give 100% in practice, because we know it's the only way to make ourselves, and our teammates better. It means identifying our individual obstacles and working to overcome them. You know what you struggle with individually...whether it's problems catching, not cradling properly, picking bad shots, checking or shooting when you're upset, missing groundballs...you know what areas you need to work on. And to take it to the next level, it means working on these things during practice and on your own time.
We have the potential of becoming state champs in just over two weeks, and that's an exciting thing. But, how sweet would that success be if you didn't feel like we had to work for it...or if you came to the end of the season and didn't feel like you had improved much as a player? I don't want you to walk off the field of the state finals match feeling like we did after the game last night...I want you to walk off the field of that final game feeling like it truly was the best game you have played, individually and as a team.
So, I will now quote the Gatorade ad slogan, "Is it in you?" I believe it is. We have unlimited potential inside of us...we just have to work to bring it out.
Rock on, tiger rockstars...
Improvement
Here's your inspiring quote of the day:
"We improve ourselves by victories over ourself. There must be contests, and you must win." - Edward Gibbon
Yesterday at the end of practice, we asked you to focus on something to work on--something to improve. Today, those improvements, those small victories over yourself, can help lead us to a victory over our opponent. May it be your own personal goal to make today's game your best game yet.
Get dressed quickly after class, and be down at the field as close to 3:30 as possible. Gather in the locker room and jog out as a team. Cheer, chant, get jiggy with it...do whatever you need to do to get pumped for this game!
"We improve ourselves by victories over ourself. There must be contests, and you must win." - Edward Gibbon
Yesterday at the end of practice, we asked you to focus on something to work on--something to improve. Today, those improvements, those small victories over yourself, can help lead us to a victory over our opponent. May it be your own personal goal to make today's game your best game yet.
Get dressed quickly after class, and be down at the field as close to 3:30 as possible. Gather in the locker room and jog out as a team. Cheer, chant, get jiggy with it...do whatever you need to do to get pumped for this game!
Winning
"Those who know how to win are much more numerous than those who know how to make proper use of their victories." - Polybius
We had a nice win yesterday...let's work today to discover what we can learn from the experience and what we can do even better next time.
We had a nice win yesterday...let's work today to discover what we can learn from the experience and what we can do even better next time.
Eye of the Tiger
It's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he's watchin' us all with the eye of the tiger...
We have now adopted "Eye of the Tiger" as our theme song. A special prize goes to the first person who can name the band that sings this song (something tells me Stabile will win this one).
Our key word of the day is FOCUS. Some things to focus on:
* FOCUS on the ball...you love the ball, you want the ball, you own the ball. Call me Captain Obvious, but as long as we have the ball, the other team can't score, and I like those odds.
* FOCUS on getting low for ground balls...make it your goal as a team to pick up every ball that hits the ground today.
* FOCUS on movement...the only time you should be still during a game is when the whistle blows.
Go ahead and choose your personal goal for the day and begin focusing on that goal (write it on your hand if you need to!)
We will see you in the locker room right after class lets out...
Get excited, tigers!
Risin' up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he's watchin' us all with the eye of the tiger...
We have now adopted "Eye of the Tiger" as our theme song. A special prize goes to the first person who can name the band that sings this song (something tells me Stabile will win this one).
Our key word of the day is FOCUS. Some things to focus on:
* FOCUS on the ball...you love the ball, you want the ball, you own the ball. Call me Captain Obvious, but as long as we have the ball, the other team can't score, and I like those odds.
* FOCUS on getting low for ground balls...make it your goal as a team to pick up every ball that hits the ground today.
* FOCUS on movement...the only time you should be still during a game is when the whistle blows.
Go ahead and choose your personal goal for the day and begin focusing on that goal (write it on your hand if you need to!)
We will see you in the locker room right after class lets out...
Get excited, tigers!
Within
Quote of the day:
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us” – Emerson
What lies behind us? 5 wins, 1 loss
What lies before us? 6 more games (at least), a clean slate
What lies within us? Only you can decide this answer for yourself...
Let's rock!
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us” – Emerson
What lies behind us? 5 wins, 1 loss
What lies before us? 6 more games (at least), a clean slate
What lies within us? Only you can decide this answer for yourself...
Let's rock!
Moments
Here's your quote of the week for Spring Break:
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away." (anonymous)
May you have many of these amazing moments on your vacation...have a great week!
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away." (anonymous)
May you have many of these amazing moments on your vacation...have a great week!
what would you do
Coach Smith and I just wanted to reiterate how great we felt about yesterday's practice...it was obvious that you all were working very hard, and there has been a notable improvement in your stick skills and teamwork over the last couple of weeks. I especially loved hearing you guys encourage and cheer for each other during the 3-on-3 tournament. Let's keep up the great work...and keep on rockin' on!
Quote of the day: "What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?" (author unknown)
Ok, and since that was a really short one, we'll do a 2nd quote of the day: "Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." (T.S. Eliot)
See you at practice!
Quote of the day: "What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?" (author unknown)
Ok, and since that was a really short one, we'll do a 2nd quote of the day: "Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." (T.S. Eliot)
See you at practice!
Fired up
"Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something-- Find it and keep it lit!" -Mary Lou Retton
Go ahead and light your fires for this afternoon!
Go ahead and light your fires for this afternoon!
Hit it
Quote of the day: “In the long run, we only hit what we aim at” - Thoreau
Our aim for the day:
* to become masters of ground balls
* to catch and throw like we have ball magnets attached to our sticks
* to choose our shots wisely
Our aim for the day:
* to become masters of ground balls
* to catch and throw like we have ball magnets attached to our sticks
* to choose our shots wisely
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