Stay Frosty and Positive

Positive thinking has unmeasured value. LinkedIn shared a piece about the US Open. It's worth reading.

There's an unmeasurable accounting that happens in sports - the real benefits from both participation and success and the costs in economic terms, expense, and sacrifice.

Some of us have ridden that roller coaster for a lifetime. As ABC's Wide World of Sports once shared in its introduction - the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. 

Years ago Jeff Mate shared a piece from a Lacrosse publication, "Never be a child's last coach." That's especially true for youth (developmental) sports where children regularly become "human sacrifices" for coaching and (sometimes) parental egos.

When sports promote "National Championships" for under 10s, we've lost part of our sanity. And we know how Norway took a different approach, supporting sport for youth without uber-competition. Somehow, a tiny nation beats the pants off the US in the Winter Olympics. 

Former UNC Women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance only showed his players "positive video." That's not to say they weren't competitive as every practice got scored and every player ranked - top to bottom. 

As sports progresses and competition increases, the scoreboard matters. A child has a far greater chance to become a doctor than a professional athlete and NIL money and college scholarships are not likely for the vast  majority of student athletes. 

What's the bottom line? 

Enjoy the journey not just the destination.

Support your children and their teams. 

Compete intensely while maintaining perspective and sportsmanship.

There is always a "winner" and a "loser" on the scoreboard; help our children win in life.