PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Start Your Day Off Right
It’s been over an hour since my kids headed to school, but I know it’s almost time for the local grade school to start up because there is a ball bouncing outside. Every day, rain (and it can be dumping!) or shine, my neighbors youngest son hits our basketball court before leaving to school.
What a perfect way to start the day!
Start your day off doing something you love.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Fighting to Read
In our house we have three Young Adult Fiction readers. Last weekend I brought home five new YA Novels from Portland. It quickly became a battle for the books.
I bought the books and should have priority right? Well, I’m also a slow reader compared to both of my kids and often I have less time to read. So I gave-in knowing that the books would be ready for me to read in 24-48 hours. Still I didn’t just hand them over, it was more fun to watch each kid fight a little when they wanted a new book…that I had just started to read.
It’s been one week, and both kids have finished all of the books they desired. I am one chapter into Breaking Point, four chapters into Reached, five pages into Steelheart, Drooling over the thought of starting Fragments, savoring the cover of Because It Is My Blood and skimming through another non-fiction book Happiness is an Inside Job, the words of which I’m trying to take to heart, trying not to be frustrated with the lack of time to sit down and read.
So, this morning, before I wrote this blog, I made my breakfast, brewed a cup of tea, grabbed a book, plopped myself on the couch and read a chapter.
I found a moment for me.
Fight for some time for yourself. Crack a book and read.
WRITING PROMPT: Sandy opened the book and…
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…
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.
Blog
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Life
Do you ever look in the mirror, or see a picture of yourself, and wonder what the hell happened? I’ve done this a lot lately. I mean, I look fine, I just look…old. Older than I used to look. And that’s okay, kind of, it’s just hard to wrap my mind around sometimes. The wrinkles, the thin skin, the grey, the aches and pains (well these I don’t see in the mirror, I just feel them). But what’s funny, is that in so many ways, I still feel like I’m in my 30’s, yet I’m closing in on 50.
50 years old!
My age has never really bothered me. In fact when I tell some one my age I alway say I’m almost 49. I have always gone to the next highest number and then said “almost.” Now I’m thinking I should change that habit.
As I have gotten older, life has become a […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Support at the High School level is a game changer
“We just beat last year’s State Champions!” echoed from the locker room as my assistant coaches and I gathered to enter for our post-game talk. The girls continued, “And did you see the crowd? Our entire student section was standing and cheering…for a GIRL’S BASKETBALL GAME!”
We walked in. Need I say more.
Seated on the bench in front of me there are eight girls who are totally invested in our program and more importantly in one another. This is a special team.
And this team has support that is unprecedented. It hasn’t always been this way, high school athletics are under a lot of scrutiny these days, but this year we have complete support and I know the players feel it. We have an administration that cares, an athletic director that has our backs, a phenomenal coaching […]
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?
Follow Sonya