Commitment

I think sports teach many lessons. Some will be valuable as the players or coaches move along and face increasingly talented competition. Some are really life lessons, that translate well into a bunch of other situations. Of course a few are both.

One of the lessons sports taught me was commitment. When I was a youngling, Mom and Dad always let me go out for pretty much whatever sports I wanted. I was always excited about the seasons, and usually had no problem motivating myself to get ready for practices and games. But sometimes, during the middle of the season, or after a bad game, it was tempting to take a step back. I was reminded that I had signed up (and they paid "good money") to play, and that it was my obligation to do so.

When you join a team, you've taken on a task - a job. It's your job to learn your role, practice it, and go out and execute to the best of your ability. Now, there's a lot that goes into this for a 5-year-old... Mom and Dad have to make sure they have equipment, and drive them to practice, and sign the waiver... but, that said, once the administrative stuff is taken care of, and the season starts - the coach and the team are counting on everyone to do their best. It is not acceptable - save extenuating circumstances - to quit. In doing so, you let down your team and everyone associated with it.

Sport should always be treated as such - as a game, as competition. Naturally, that is fairly light-hearted and free... but... when you've decided organized sport is for you, there is some level of expectation. You expect the coach to be present, teach, and reinforce concepts. You expect the league to provide facilities. And the player is expected to play - at least to the best of their abilities that day. Being part of the team - counting on and being counted on - is one of those things you can apply daily. It's a bad thing when the lack of commitment impacts sport - or worse, life.