PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Peace in Friendships
Tuesday I had a modeling job for Ex Officio with a woman who I had coached when I was an assistant high school basketball coach just out of college. Now we both have laugh lines and covered greys. She is 40 with 4 kids. I am 47 with 2 kids. It seems crazy that we should work together all these years later as models, not to mention, she is also a basketball coach.
Four hours on the job seemed like nothing. We chatted about the upcoming season (our teams are even in the same league and will be playing one another). As a head coach I stress about the upcoming season, so it was nice to talk to another coach.
Wednesday I met my best friend from high school. She is not an athlete, but we are on the same page with most things. She gets me. Basketball filtered in and out of our conversation. No advice, no basketball insight, yet I left her house feeling more peaceful, ready to attack the last-minute details and prep work I need to take care of before Monday’s start date.
Thursday, I met with my writing buddy. I wrote about my week, my to do’s, basketball, my dreams, I wrote about how thankful I am for my friends who help me find peace and joy in life, especially through basketball season.
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: The Court of Life
I’ve been going through my basketball newsletters, and searching through websites, printing out basketball drills and plays to add to my collection. It’s always fun to have a few new tidbits for the upcoming season.
Last year I found some great new drills while attending coaches clinics. I also found a couple of new things that once I tried to implement them didn’t really work well with our team. Sometimes that’s the way things work on the court, you have to give it a try, adjust, try again, and if it’s not working, move on.
At one of the clinics before our season last year I took notes on an intense half-court trapping defense that I knew would be perfect for our team. I could envision us surprising everyone in our league, wildly trapping opponents and then stealing passes for easy buckets. I was wrong. Our team didn’t quite buy into the aggressive rotation that had to happen on the court not to mention that as the season progressed and our legs started to tire and our numbers dwindled , the half court scramble left us drained.
We shifted our defensive strategy. Our team thrived.
Playing basketball, coaching basketball, and life itself is about learning and growing and adjusting. Finding what works best. There are times in my life that I know I have it all figured out. Then I have to open my eyes, look around and make a change.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Just do it!
Sonya Elliott – Eastern Washington University 1988
Writing is hard work.
Yesterday, throughout the day, I watched my daughter fill up her third composition notebook with words. She is working on a book. I would walk by her room, and peak in and watch her in awe. Then as I’d walk away, I’d beat myself up, “Come on Sonya, pull out your notebook and write.”
On days when I’m not inspired to write, it can be nearly impossible to get myself going. I’ve been fighting a cold and I didn’t feel like doing much of anything, but that is really no excuse. I’d like to say I wrote yesterday, that after my short speech to myself writing prevailed, but it didn’t.
The couch, a walk to the beach and the Seahawks prevailed. All good things for sure, but that is why today it is all the more important to put my foot down and quit procrastinating, because I know when I begin to write, the inspiration will come, and I will feel complete.
This is where I will use my basketball background (and Nike) to remind myself to just do it. When I was young and playing basketball and I didn’t want to practice, I would MAKE myself get on the court and push myself. And once there, sweat dripping and muscles aching, I loved it.
Tough writing days are not that much different. (Less the sweat) Today, I’m starting with this blog, now I’m on the court, my computer is out and my fingers are moving. Then I’ll write 10 minutes on the writing prompt and I’ll be warmed up and ready to play ball. I will have no excuses. My book will be at my finger tips and by then I will be having fun, writing. Playing the game.
Writing […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: FREE gift with purchase
It’s time to gear up and get ready for basketball season! (Or start shopping for Christmas.) Go to www.PeaceLoveBasketball.com and buy a stylish and comfy shirt, sweatshirt or baby onesie, and receive a free signed copy of my memoir Back on the Court: A Young Woman’s Triumphant Return to Life, Love & Basketball, with an order of $15 or more. (Special offer runs November 1 – November 15, 2013)
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: Blog or No Blog?
Recently I had a fellow writer ask about blogging. They were trying to decide if they should blog. I wrangled with this idea myself when I first set up a website. I started out blogging on occasion and, as with many writers, I kept thinking, “Why am I doing this? Who really cares to read my blog?” And then I would fizzle out and my writing would stop. Finally, I had a little sit down with myself, and knowing that it would help my writing, I made a commitment to two blogs a week. And then I reminded myself that if just one person finds it helpful or enjoyable, it is worth it, and that keeps me on task.
So if writing a blog keeps you writing, follow your heart and blog!
WRITING PROMPT #1: Write your first blog now.
WRITING PROMPT #2: Write about your […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Prep Work
Our first practice for the 2014-15 basketball season is one month from today! I’m so excited to get to the fun stuff…the coaching. I even like practices more than games…well now that I’m a coach, not when I was a player. But most of all, I just like to be on the court.
However, the prep work is just as important if you are a coach, or an athlete (or in life). As a coach, if I don’t have everything ready to roll for the season; schedules, school district paperwork, parent meeting packets, fundraising information, updated first-aid card, etc, it can make for a hectic year. As an athlete, if you don’t prep by getting in shape, it can make for a more difficult start to your season and can even contribute to injuries. Take care of your prep work. It isn’t alway […]
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Always Believe In You
Today I’m speaking at TEDxSpokane. I’ll be talking about believing in yourself, and how doing so has not always been easy for me, but has helped me to achieve goals and overcome obstacles in my lifetime.
In fact, when I got the call to be a part of the TEDx Conference, I had to remind MYSELF to believe, because public speaking scares me. I had to remind myself that I am capable of anything that I put my mind to. Well, maybe it’s too late for me to play professional basketball, but most anything…
When you come up against obstacles or have goals you’d like to achieve, remember always believe in you!
WRITING PROMPT: Write about a time that you didn’t believe in yourself. Write about a time that you did.
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