Monday’s Pen to Paper: Picture Perfect Inspiration
Do I dare say it? (It’s so cliché) A picture is worth a thousand words…so sometimes it’s fun to write from a picture prompt. In “Is Life Like This?” Mr. Fefresne suggests photos, catalogues, books on photography, you name it, find photos that call to you. Then ask yourself about the characters in the photos. Who are they? What are their secrets?
Tell us about the location. Not only what it looks like, though we want this is detail, but go deeper.What mood does the photograph suggest or pull from within you? Follow your heart and follow your pen.
Find a story.
Choose your own photo, or take a look at the one above, and let your pen fly…
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: For The Love Of The Game
This morning I was plopped in front of my computer, staring at the screen, fingers motionless, wondering what tidbit of basketball I should write about. nothing came to me. I stared some more. Maybe I was tired (and a little grumpy) from my lousy game last night. My shot was WAY off and my energy level in the tank. Hustle is generally the best part of my game…but not last night. So there I was sitting, moping, hoping for inspiration, when I heard a bounce, and another bounce, and another bounce and a swish. Mind you this was 9:00am on a school day.
I smiled. The neighbor boys were getting ready to head off to school. Ahhh. My smile spread across my face while I listened to the ball bounce and swish and bounce and swish for several minutes until our front yard basketball hoop, that entices young and old, fell silent.
That’s what it’s about. Tossing in a few shots before you have to sit in the class room all day. Grabbing a friend and battling it out in a little one on one. Self commentating as you, alone, dart around the court to make the buzzer beating 3-point shot to win the game. Whether you play in high school, college, or are an old rec-leaguer like me, whether you’re a coach, or a parent watching it all, remember what this game is really about. Remember the fun, and remember the love of the game.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Time For You
I have a new routine. For a couple of weeks now I have been carving out time for myself at breakfast. Each weekday morning I make myself a little spread, complete with a cup of tea, and sit down (key words: SIT DOWN) to eat. I bring the paper, a magazine, or a book and take a few relaxing moments for myself. This often leads to pulling out my journal and writing, but at the very least it gives me a few minutes to peacefully gather myself for the day.
Don’t forget to carve out some time in the day just for you…
Today’s writing prompt: Jessica set her dishes in the sink, wiped the kitchen counter and placed a note on it’s clean surface. Then she picked up her bag and walked out the front door…
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: TEAM
“There is no “I” in team.” You’ve probably heard this before. Or perhaps, my assistant coach’s favorite, “TEAM. Together, Everyone, Achieves, More.”
There are a lot of quotes about the importance of TEAM. And there is a good reason for it; TEAM is the difference between a good team and championship team, between a miserable 5-15 team and a strong-hearted joyful 3-17 team. A group of athletes, or businessmen or women, who keep their focus on team, will reap the benefits. Not always in the win/loss column, but in life and how they learn to live it.
As a high school coach, I witnessed the power of TEAM first-hand this season. We had a lot of young talent and with that could easily have come team dissention. But players worked as a team to get to know and trust one another, find their roles and push themselves, and each other, to become better. Our Seniors, that lost some time on the court, demonstrated with near perfection, the power of TEAM. Their hard work and positive attitudes helped lead us to a winning season and the first division title in the history of the school. The girls believed in the importance of TEAM and were rewarded with wins, friendships and a lesson on how to live life.
How has the concept of TEAM affected you? What is your favorite TEAM quote?
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
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 […]
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Simply Write
WRITING PROMPT: Take a look at today’s photo and get to work…
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Open
We had our first summer practice for high school this week. (The kids are still in school, it’s just officially called “summer” practice.)
Last week I watched some coaching video’s. And like times in the past when I’ve read a book on coaching, or watched a coaching video, or attend a coaches clinic or simply have had a conversation with another coach, there is alway something new to learn or an idea to investigate.
This time I was reminded of some defensive concepts to emphasize, given new press breaker ideas to consider and I picked up a couple of new shooting drills by the University of Connecticut Huskies women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma. (Thanks Coach) 😉
In coaching and in life, remain open to new ideas…
Follow Sonya