LESSONS

Schooling and education are not the same. School refers to a particular time, place, and curriculum where as education is the continuous process of learning regardless of the aforementioned properties. As we live we learn and therefore learning should be a life long endeavor without absolute conclusions and limits but always with purpose and meaning. Life is the ultimate teacher, presenting daily lessons through countless and sometimes subtle modes and mediums. The key to exploring and experiencing the many offerings lies in approaching each moment with an empty and open mind for if you believe to know you will cease to learn. Satisfaction then is a misleading notion, everything we do is partial since the lesson plan is limitless and learning involves life even when our own has past.

The beauty of it lies in the potential for our knowledge to carry on through the paths of our footprints and the echoes of our voices even though we may become nothing more than a faded memory. We are merely a part of life a possible guide to truth, first for our own being and possibly as humbling as it may seem a gift to others.

Throughout my life I have been fortunate and privileged to have interacted with many who parallel these thoughts and ideals. I am in eternal debt to my family, teachers, coaches and friends that have acted as a catalyst for positive change in my life. It is easy to forget what you owe, it is easy to get lost in the daily grind and surrender the chance to make a difference. Even with all the help I have received I too found myself deviating from this path but this past weekend I was reminded of why I became a coach; to elicit change. A segment of this past “R” cert was dedicated to the special needs division (headed by Eric Chessen) that focused on implementing RT principles into educational programs for autistic children as well as raising awareness of the blatant disregard that has been shown for these athletes. Along with Eric there were about 8 others that have been tirelessly and selflessly challenging the contemporary treatment of their students and for the two hours that they presented I was absolutely captivated by their remarkable efforts. I believe that what they have accomplished and strive for transcends the essence of coaching, not only are they bettering the lives of the people they currently work with and creating a starting point to secure the health and well-being for future generations but they are leading and inspiring all who listen.

I remembered that I chose this profession to provide opportunities for my own student-athletes because I knew that as you make life better for those you impact upon you intrinsically increase the quality of your own, but then I realized ‘forget the business and just make it your way of life’. The “R” certs have always provided information I wasn’t anticipating to receive and they have always provided an opening to something better but most importantly they make you become conscious of the fact that it can and is happening all the time and all around us, all we have to do is listen.