PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Choose work
I’ve gotten a little lazy in the past few months. I play basketball twice a week but that’s it. I know it could be worse, but I should do more–I feel better if I do more. Especially if I add a little strength work…maybe yoga…stretching.
“Sonya, it’s time to get going.”
This is not the first time that I’ve had to have a little talk with myself, and after this most recent conversation I decided to do something everyday. It can be a long walk with the dogs, shooting baskets with my kids, or a few sit ups and push ups.” Just something. So that’s my plan to get back on course. Nothing fancy, just good old-fashioned work.
The dogs are getting more exercise and so am I. And though I can barely move my arms from a Crossfit type workout I did with my husband this morning, this first week has been good.
Challenge yourself to get stronger in some way.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Friend Inspiration
To be a writer, you have to do the work, simply sit your butt down and write. Sometimes it’s good to have a friend to help you do that.
My friend Jenny (www.mamameedsarefill.com) and I went to Portland to put pen to paper. We took the train, (very relaxing and 4 hours of writing time each way), slept in late (both busy moms needing to catch up on sleep), disappeared into 3 books stores for undisclosed amounts of time (you need to read to be a good writer) and pulled out our journals to write at every food and coffee stop along the way (a must).
Share time with a friend and find inspiration.
WRITING PROMPT: Write about your best friend…
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Are you wearing green?
I looked up St. Patrick’s Day, and Luck of the Irish, and leprechauns and Pots of Gold and Green clothes and Green beer and other traditions for this Irish Day. And I wasn’t surprised to find that the day has been totally Americanized. What would make St. Patrick’s Day any different from all the other holidays we celebrate in our country?
Though I’m not one to jump on the commercial bandwagon, I also won’t turn down a green beer, and on March 17th I always search my closet for green.
Go green and enjoy the day.
WRITING PROMPT: What would you do if you found a pot of gold?
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: AAU:The Promised Land?
Sonya Elliott AAU 1984
My kids are playing AAU basketball this spring (and so are some of the players I coach.) When I was young I played on several teams that gave me the opportunity to travel and compete. Back in the 80’s we didn’t pay-to-play but we had to raise our own money to travel. All the bake sales and car washes were worth every minute for the chance to go to Nationals. And playing in those tournaments gave me the opportunity to compete with the best.
Over the years as a coach I have witnessed both good and bad when it comes to AAU programs. Players can learn bad habits or come back to their high school teams at a higher level. It is what they make of it. Unfortunately, some parents, and players, believe that playing AAU will be their road to the promised land. A Full-Ride Division 1 scholarship. They spend money on AAU so their child can be seen by college coaches (money that could be used to pay for college itself) thinking the experience is a guarantee to play at the next level. There are no guarantees. There is only hard work, determination, and a little luck. (And don’t forget good grades)
Play AAU because you love to play, work to better your game, have fun and if you are lucky you will find the promised land.
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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Monday’s Pen to Paper: Learning How To Walk In Peace
This weekend I had a woman, who is trained in self-defense, come to the gym to work with our girl’s basketball program. (We did this last year too, and both times it’s been a hit.) The girls have a blast and I love knowing that they are that much more prepared for life. Thanks so much to Sheri Hashemi (International Krav Maga Seattle) for her time and energy in working with our girls!
“International Krav Maga Seattle’s mission is to provide practical self-defense training to those who seek the knowledge so that they too can walk in peace.”
It’s important to be prepared for life and remember to always walk in peace.
WRITING PROMPT: What does “Walking in Peace” mean to you?
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: One Day At A Time
The high school girls that I coach had another big win this week. I’m happy for them, they have worked hard thus far to get in shape and develop their basketball skills. Still, they have a long road a head of them if they want to achieve all of the lofty, yet attainable, goals that they have set for themselves this year.
One day at a time.
A philosophy that works on and off the court…
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Check One Thing Off Your List
The house is quiet and I like it. The Holiday break this year was amazing but there is nothing like a silent house that helps me to unwind, even when I’ve got a long list of things to do already this New Year. The quiet makes it all seem less daunting.
I woke up early this morning, threw in a load of laundry, made lunches for my kids to take to school and then pulled out my dreaded paperwork. I figured I should knock things off my To-Do list right away. I have ASB and Booster Club deposits and expense reports to complete for basketball, so I spread papers and recipes across the kitchen table, (it felt like I had started on my taxes early this year, which I probably should) and got to work. It […]
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