I have a friend who is a great advocate for girls and women in sport. I have heard her speak to women about seeing themselves as athletes even if they didn't play sports. I guess you could say she promotes "getting in touch with your inner athlete" or drawing on the postivie qualities that we believe athletics promote. This poem came from that idea.
I'm an Athlete
Being an athlete is not tied to play.
It's more about how you approach each day.
Teamwork helps you get along
and provides support when things go wrong.
Resilience means you can come back
anytime life gets off track.
Determination is the strength to try
and trying yields lessons that can help you fly.
Confidence teaches you to see
the best you that you can be.
So, whenever you hear "Are you ready for this? I have to ask."
Just say "I'm an athlete; I'm up to the task."
Monday, September 6, 2010
I am a poet and photographer who likes sports, jazz and art inspired by other art. I served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the early 1970's and was assigned to the Computer Sciences School in Quantico, VA. I have published a chapbook of grief poems, I Keep You with Me. My work also has appeared in publications such as Thorny Locust Magazine, core. zine,The Enigmatist, Veterans' Voices and Kansas Time + Place An Anthology of Heartland Poetry. My visual art pieces combine poetry and photographs, and have been most recently displayed at InterUrban ArtHouse, Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, Buttonwood Art Space, and The Smalter Gallery.
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I never really thought about it that way, but it makes sense - there are so many lessons learned through sports, it's no wonder parents push their kids to participate in some form or other.
ReplyDeleteThat's the best of what sports are about!
DeleteWhen I was consulting I did a lot of research on the power of labels. If you label someone as a loyal customer, they behave differently. I experimented with calling myself an athlete to see how it would change my attitude towards my body and how I treat it. It truly made a difference--an outward expression of my intention. #TALU
ReplyDeleteThat's really interesting, Jeannine. Thanks for sharing it. TALU
DeleteI love this! My kids are both in sports and we teach them all these ideas, both inside and outside of the games. I never thought about telling them to "find their inner athletes" though. There's nothing like being to the point when your kids want to turn their ears off!
ReplyDelete:-)
TALU
That's great, Linda. Sounds like you are helping them get the full benefits of participating in sports.
DeleteI think that my inner athlete was lost in gym class when the teacher announced the I had no muscles.... But I think that the lesson from athletics is important and can and will be self taught. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteTALU!
Thanks, Carol. The lessons are the thing!
DeleteI love that last line MIchelle! ~TALU
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kenya!
DeleteThere seems to be a theme today with confidence. I love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking this up with the TALU!
Thank, Anne.
DeleteVery nice. There are so many kids who grow up without the skills to actually make it on a team - this is great and we SHOULD change the mindset of sports and broaden it's definition. Thanks for sharing this on talu.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbie. Women fought for the opportunity to get to play because there are benefits that continue after athletes stop playing their sports.
DeleteWhat a lovely lesson! I'm going to re-read this when I need a boost, especially in the literal "athletic world" - I was never an athletic girl until the hubs pushed me to run a 5K. This gives me new perspective on how I really am an "athlete." Thanks! TALU ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope the poem serves you well and that there are many great runs in your future.
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