Things I Learned Today

I try and impart to my Athletes they should learn one new thing each day. My mom used to say it and I swear it's true. I don't put restrictions on WHAT they learn, because I don't think my mom had alot of things I learned in mind when she told me to learn something new each day, but some days the "fun" stuff was really all I learned that day! :)

So, here are the things I learned today:

* Latte in the morning is SO underrated. I missed mine this morning.

* The kids beginning H.S. in 2007 were born the year I graduated high school!!!!!!!

* There is something to be said for "taking the day off" and spending it with someone who makes you smile. One of my athletes needed to talk today, so I took him out to our Girls' Soccer game with me (instead of making him go watch practice) so we could talk. I think the change of pace today was good for both of us. I am pretty sure with everything going on surrounding his athletics it was good for him to "be away" from it all for awhile. It was good for me too. Definitely felt more like a day goofing off with a friend then working. Sometimes you just need a day like that to get your focus back and feel a little more "sane".

* They need to give out a handbook when you leave college on "things you might experience in the real world". A week and a half ago it hit me just how adult life has become. Granted, at 31 it's about freakin' time, right?!?! IT's weird how you just coast along in life and then one day WHAM! it hits you you've grown up. That moment occurred last week when I was sitting at the bank applying for a loan to buy out the lease on my car. Why that exact moment I'm not really sure. The scope of living and life itself has changed. I look around at my kids and they're excited about driving, thinking about college and talking about dating. I remember those days. I think until that moment in the bank I was pretty sure they were just yesterday. As I walked out of the bank it hit me, those days aren't even rear view material anymore.

Being this age and situation in life puts you in a weird place. I am single. Not really dating, which often leaves me wondering all those stupid girlie questions I never really had to think of before - will I ever meet Mr. Right (or is there even such a thing), get married, have kids and live the life I'd always envisioned for myself if I don't even seem close to it at 31? It also means I still occasionally live like a college student and can get away with it. In one month I will be closing on my first house. (Yep, I know. Why didn't "adult" hit me then?!?!?! :) ) One of my best friends is having her first baby any day now. Another of my best friends is having some marital problems, which is such a far cry from our old advice, which was "If you want to date someone else, or don't like him anymore, just break up with him". Marriage is so much more than that. Life becomes complicated the older you get. (which is really what I learned today for THIS astrik....moving on.)

* I have too many clothes. I guess that's really the gist of it. I have work clothes, working out clothes, going out dancing clothes, dressing up to look responsible clothes (the suits I wear from meetings and basektball games), casual jeans and sweaters for looking nice type clothes, lounge around the house clothes.....just WAY too many clothes with no where to put them. (although with the new house, I have LOTS of closets! :) )

* I need to get better at cleaning, or I need to make more money and hire a maid.

* The kids I work with - past and present are really the greatest kids. I really am lucky to do what I do.

That's it. All that I learned today. :) There were other very specific things about people, but not worth going into here. One other thing before I drift off into sleep....a former LAX player wrote me a BEAUTIFUL email about his experience with me as his Athletic Trainer. I have not been able to get it out of my head. Whenever I have any doubt as to whether or not I am on the right path, on a personal level with my athletes, I think of that email and keep going. I can only hope my athletes know they have touched my life as they say I have touched theirs.