Would you describe your life in sport as a steady, calm float down the river toward success or more like a terrifying series of rapids, ups and downs, splashes and moments of panic on the way to who knows where?
I’ve experienced both in my days as a player, an official, a team chaplain and as the father of a player. The calm days with assurance and tranquility are a little better. The others are more than a little upsetting to everyone in the process.
What makes the difference? Is there a way to transform our lives in sport and to find more peace in the midst of often chaotic world? The key to such transformation is to find joy. This is a simple word seldom used in our culture, but it has incredible power. My favorite way of describing joy is to liken it to emotional buoyancy.
Everyone’s life has ups and downs; joy is what keeps our hearts afloat when we experience the downs. Rather than being flooded by the onrushing waves of discouragement, panic and frustration, we are buoyed by joy as we trust in our teammates, our coaching staff, our game plan and ultimately in our God.
As you go about your life in sport. Imagine that your heart is encircled by a powerful life-vest called joy. Trust that on your worst days, that life-vest will keep your attitude, your mind, your vision and all your heart afloat, able to make wise choices and to compete at your best. With joy maintaining your emotional buoyancy, you cannot be overcome by any of your heart’s enemies.
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