Monday’s Pen to Paper: You
Take a moment for yourself today.
WRITING PROMPT: Write about a time that you were self-indulgent…
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Getting Older
I had my first (and hopefully last), root canal this morning at 7:00am. I was hoping maybe it was all a mistake. My tooth wasn’t really hurting all that bad. But with X-rays and sensitivity tests it was decided that yes, a root canal was in order.
When the doc started working she reconfirmed that it would have been a matter of time, things already looked pretty inflamed. She made note of the fact that I must be pretty tough. I liked this. (This in itself is a blog all its own.)
To me, getting a root canal is a sign of getting old. This, I didn’t like.
My dad said to me once, “Sonya, you’re only as old as you feel.” This morning I feel old. But as the numbness in my mouth fades so will my melancholy mood, and I’ll be glad my tooth ache is gone, glad for modern medicine and glad that I’m still healthy and happy and have a quiet afternoon to write.
What makes you feel old? How do you keep yourself young at heart?
WRITING PROMPT #1: Write about getting older…
WRITING PROMPT #2: Stella sat in the dentist’s waiting room…
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Surprise Yourself
Yesterday was my Thursday night women’s basketball league. Most of the players on our team played basketball at the college level, and though a lot of us are over 40-years-old, we are competitive with other teams. Last night we played a new team to the league. The women arrived in short shorts and running shoes. I was concerned.
The game ended 74-17 in our favor. Normally this type of game would have really frustrated me, and to be honest, scared me. (It’s when players are out of control that people get hurt.) But these women did not play crazy out of control, just extremely rusty and what was interesting and inspiring was that they had all played basketball together in high school and they had decided to put a team together and go for it. Who could knock that?
This morning those women are probably hobbling out of bed, a little sore from being away from the sport for so long, and thinking, “Wow, we did it!”
Is there something that you love, that you’ve given up? Why not surprise yourself, and try it again…
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Simply Write
WRITING PROMPT: Take a look at today’s photo and get to work…
Meet Sonya
Meet Sonya
Sonya Elliott's memoir, Back on the Court: A Young Woman's Triumphant Return to Life, Love & Basketball, is her story of finding hope in the wake of tragedy after she and her fiancé were hit by a train. She blogs about writing, basketball, and life and is currently working on a Young Adult Novel and a Non-Fiction Coaching book. Stories of her career as a fashion model are woven through her memoir, as both the Soloflex and Easy Spirit Shoes commercials were filmed during that time period, and this unique and intriguing business continues to be a part of her life.
Sonya played basketball at Eastern Washington University and was a starter for the Big Sky Champion team that went to the 1987 NCAA tournament. She coached for almost 25 years and was voted Seattle Times Coach of the Year, Seattle Officials Women's Basketball Association Coach of the Year, and twice voted Metro League Coach of the Year. She loves the game of basketball and is thankful, not only for her husband and kids but for her ability to continue to get back on the court.
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PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Do You Hear Me?
I heard basketballs bouncing outside when I was writing this week. Kids were shooting baskets in our front yard. (Not my kids, but not an uncommon occurrence since we put a basketball hoop in our front yard two years ago). I heard my husband say, “You should be using your left hand on the left side,” before he walked in the house on his way home from work.
I gave him a kiss and then headed to the door. I couldn’t let it go. (No longer a high school coach, but always a coach.) I lined up all three boys on a seam in the concrete. “Ok, pretend you’ve got a string attached from your left knee up to your elbow.” I lifted my arm and brought up my knee. “Like a puppet.” I explained some more. I had them do it with me […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Basketball & Yoga?
Photo Credit: Jeff Zaruba
Before I play basketball these days it is important for me to warm up a bit, this usually includes some yoga poses. However over the past few months I have found myself running into the gym late and jumping onto the court cold. Funny thing is, I’ve been having more pains and aches and issues. So it’s time for me to find my inner downward dog again. I’ve started by doing more poses at home and then working my way back into my local yoga studio here and there and now I’ve signed up for a Mini Yoga Retreat in May.
The retreat will be led by my friend, and Life Coach, Jenny McGlothern and by certified yoga instructor BJ Weitl.
Fill Your Cup: Mini Yoga Retreat
12:00pm-3:30pm, Sunday May 31, 2015
Bikram Yoga West Seattle, 4747 […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Change Is Hard
I made a tough decision this week to step down as the Head Girl’s Basketball Coach at West Seattle High School. I have been in tears off and on since that day.
When I took over the program five years ago I wanted to bring change. The program had struggled over the years and there was no support. In fact, I had 4 uniforms and $4 to start that first season. I spent pre-season hunting down uniforms from graduates and putting together fundraisers to get the team equipped. My assistant coach and I, ended that first season with six players who brought in 3 wins in one of the toughest leagues in the state of Washington. The last five years have been challenging, but the girls and the coaches, have worked hard to help build the program, so that […]
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