The Game I Love

The month of September is a busy time for many as children head back to school, sports and activities begin to pick up, with the fall season upon us the last of the garden needs to be harvested, all the while daylight hours are decreasing and the dark of the night is arriving earlier. For myself those items mentioned above are just the beginning, additionally being a teacher and going back to work, having the initial start up for all the athletic teams at my school which I need to plan, organize and facilitate for, along with beginning a new chapter in my educational career and starting an MEd, while also volunteering my time after school with various extra curricular events and then trying to find the balance that works for my family and myself.

My intention here is not to complain or create a list of all the responsibilities that I must take care of, but the notion that finding balance and taking into consideration my personal health comes after all the other important aspects of my life have been taken care of. I value and appreciate all of the items that fulfill my day to day, however I question where the importance of personal health and wellness fits.

Who teaches you where to place personal health along the spectrum of everyday living?

How can we plan to ensure that the wellbeing of our existence is given the time it deserves?

Although I am unable to provide the answer to these questions at this time, I do know the importance of engaging in physical activity, establishing personal time, and exercising the mind while working towards balance in life. Hopefully through my personal growth and development I will be able to answer the two questions above for myself but also help others in finding their balance as well.

For the first time in a month I was able to make it out to my slo-pitch team's weekly game. Regardless of whether I chose to complete a school assignment, or answer the long list of emails or devote my time to something else....I was just unable to make it out to play the game I love. The frustration was beginning to mount, not that I noticed at the time but no matter what I was doing instead of playing ball my mind was out on the field for those few hours. Clearly I was missing out on the opportunity to run around, missing the excitement of hitting the ball, missing the sights and sounds of the ball diamond.

Once I was out on the field I began to feel "alive" again. My senses were heightened; I could smell the fresh air and the trees in the forest behind the field; I could see every blade of the wet grass beneath my cleats and differentiate all the granules of dirt on the infield; I could hear the chatter of teammates and the calls of the umpire with such definition; Even my taste buds were reaping the benefits as the wonderful beverage that I had in my red cup tasted so clean, so crisp, so perfect. Back out where I belong and running around like a kid allowed me to enter a state of mind where nothing existed except the game....Randy, I was experiencing that silence you were speaking of, the world was moving around me but my mind was free and clear.

The league I play in is a recreational co-ed league. Our team is made up of friends that I have known and played baseball with since I was a young boy in addition to girlfriends, fiancés, and wives. The social make-up of this team is very different from our competitive baseball team which most of the guys play on during the spring and summer. The social aspect of this team is what really makes it a life-long recreation endeavour that I will be able to participate in for years to come. Socializing, working together, supporting each other is what team sports are all about and this truly establishes the benefits of team sports to a person's social and emotional wellbeing. I look forward to getting back out there, to share another laugh, to hear about their work week, and to engaging the body and mind.

If it wasn't for this course I probably would not be making these meaningful connections or understanding the affect sport has on my personal well-being. Obviously I enjoy playing slo-pitch, however after reflecting on finding balance in my life I have truly realized the importance of this activity. It is no longer just "The Game I Love," but a part of my therapy to keeping the body and mind healthy and happy.

I look forward to uncovering more in the weeks ahead......