stuff i'm learning about life from coaching softball

I coach my 12-year-old daughter's fastpitch softball team. Every game, I talk to the kids about doing these three things:

1. play the game the right way
2. be good sports
3. have fun

I tell the kids that if we do those three things consistently, the results will take care of themselves.

What if we took a similar approach to life?

1. play the game the right way (live a life of integrity)
2. be good sports (treat others the way you want to be treated)
3. have fun (don't take yourself so seriously)

If, in our daily lives, we practiced those things every day, perhaps life's results would take care of themselves.

After our softball games, we don't evaluate based on whether we won or lost. We evaluate on how well we did each of those three things. If we nail them...then I'm happy.

Another thing I do with the kids is this: I have one of the moms keep a list for me of the good things that each player does during the game...and it's not all related to performance on the field (it could be encouraging a teammate or displaying good sportsmanship). At the end of the game, I get the list from the mom and have the team gather 'round me. I go down the list and highlight at least one good thing that each player did during the game. We clap and cheer and hoot and holler for each girl as their name is called.

Is there a life-lesson there? I think so. And I think it's obvious. It's called: catch people doing something good and celebrate it. You can do it with your kids, with your spouse, with co-workers, even your boss!

I admit that I'm not the world's greatest softball coach. But if I don't do anything else, I want to build into the kids I coach. I want them to gain confidence and learn to have a positive approach to life.

If that happens, I'll consider it a success.

If we all live it out, the world would be a better place.