One of the dads I play basketball with brought his son—maybe 14 years old—to play with us today.
Basketball isn’t this kid’s first choice sport and it was pretty evident that it wasn’t something he practiced very often—it was something he was doing for the fun, the workout, and the connection… very much like myself.
What was cool to see, however, was how inviting and supportive the rest of the crew was with him. It didn’t matter if he rushed a play, shot an airball, or mis-dribbled and got it stolen… everybody was deliberately trying to keep his spirits up and was praising him for taking opportunities when he did.
Like a budding plant… those initial interactions in this new world for him are crucial.
They’re the difference between playing again and quitting; wanting to practice and wanting to avoid; speaking constructively to himself and self-sabotaging.
Surround yourself with people who feel like a dark cloud or barren desert and you’ll struggle accordingly.
Surround yourself with people who act like sun and water and you’ll grow just fine.
P.s. ICYMI you can read the best of what I posted to MoveMe Quotes last week here.