NEW CASTLE —
“Can we go home now?”
That question pops up every trick-or-treat night, like clockwork, as I accompany my son on his annual monster stomp for Snicker’s and Starburst.
You see, our neighborhood just doesn’t do the trick for Halloween treats. Although the stash on our street is both good and plenty and the candy is “big-bar” quality, we often wander good distances and venture into areas that aren’t as familiar.
Tons of walking.
Tons of knocking.
It’s never enough.
So, about halfway into the customary two-hour ghosting period, the question always arises: “Can we go home now?”
Then, it’s usually ...
“I’m tired. ... My feet hurt. ... Can’t we start eating the candy now?”
In the past, a little fatigue and a few blisters have never stopped us. We always go hard from buzzer to buzzer.
But this year was different. Frigid air and a steady rain on our faces made it a true fright night to be outside.
Yet there was something even more bizarre about this year: It wasn’t me belly-aching this time. It was my son who wanted to head for home.
What? An elementary-aged boy who’s kookoo for candy saying “enough” after just an hour of walking the streets?
Talk about scary.
I empathized, but I ignored his request. In the back of my mind I knew this could be our last trick-or-treat night together. Next year, he might be too cool to be seen with me.
I had to think quickly. So I started pulling out motivational tactics to keep the evening alive. After all, who needs “Dr. Lou” when “Desperate Dad” will do?
• “Let’s walk a little faster and you’ll warm up a bit.”
• “There aren’t a lot of kids out tonight. I bet if we keep going you’ll get even more candy than usual.”
• “We have to go to the Smiths. They really want to see your costume.”
• “Let’s try that house. I heard they give out entire bags of goodies! Sometimes even money!”
• “C’mon, do it for your old man!”
Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch.
Everything I tried, failed.
We walked home.
He was now a happy camper.
I was experiencing a sugar crash.
So, what’s the lesson in all of this for young athletes and youth coaches? It’s a very simple one: Even the sweetest reward, the best motivational approaches or the pushiest parents can’t make a player do something he or she doesn’t really want to do.
In other words, you have to love the sport to truly excel at the sport.
If you don’t, you aren’t going to train as hard as you could. You aren’t going to play as hard as you could. And you aren’t going to chase the dream if all the hours, sweat and sacrifice feel more like a nightmare to you.
Or, worst of all, if you resent your mom and dad because they keep forcing you to play.
So, do you have the love? Are you really playing the game for all the right reasons?
If not, you’re simply taking someone else’s spot.
If you don’t love it, it’s time to leave it.
If your heart isn’t in it, there’s no sense putting on a mask and pretending to be someone you’re not.
So regardless of what you might hear otherwise, you can go home. You can leave the trophies and the gear behind. And you can pursue what you truly desire to do off the field.
Like a belly filled with candy, that’s pretty sweet, too.
Tim Kolodziej
Related Photos
-
About Tim Kolodziej: Tim is director of new media at The News. His blog appears each Thursday.
Discussion
Tim Kolodziej: A trick-or-treat lesson about your passion to play
- Tim Kolodziej
-
-
Tim Kolodziej: Want true gratification? Then delay it
Whether you are an athlete, an entrepreneur or a stay-at-home mom, you will be faced with dozens of temptations today. For better or for worse, your life depends on your choices.
-
Tim Kolodziej: You know, this isn't my day — and it's not yours either
“This isn’t my day.” I’m going to step out on a limb and guess you’ve heard that statement before. You may have even uttered it a time or two yourself. Maybe just this morning.
-
Tim Kolodziej: Just one word is keeping me — and probably you — from excellence
We all need to take a good, hard, scary look at exactly what it is we’ve been created to do. The thing that makes our heart race and brings a smile to our face. The thing that not only YOU can’t live without — but neither can WE when you are doing it.
-
Tim Kolodziej: Yes, I do have a ‘nice team’ — and I'm OK with that
“You have a nice team, Coach.” I used to HATE hearing that while shaking our opponents’ hands following a game.
You may as well question my manhood. Or insult my mama. Or try to take my lunch money. Them’s fightin’ words, you know.
-
Tim Kolodziej: Horror, and plenty of heroes, at the finish line
Man, do I miss running. All the miles. All the smiles. Even the personal time trials. There’s nothing like lacing up the kicks, cranking up the music and losing yourself, stride by glorious stride, for the next hour or so.
-
Tim Kolodziej: Some lessons we can learn from the Final Four
So, what’s your excuse? I mean, what do you tell people when they ask why you’re still stuck in the same (fill in the blank)? Enough, already. You’re busted.
-
Tim Kolodziej: Now THIS is why I coach!
I don’t normally ask this of you, but I have a favor. Please watch the video I've attached before you read my blog today. Mere words can’t begin to describe what you’ll see, so it’s better to sit back and allow the visuals to invade your senses.
-
Tim Kolodziej: As Easter nears, I must ask: why me?
Why me, Lord?Why? What did you expect me to do? Who, exactly, did you expect me to be? How, exactly, did you expect me to act? How did you expect me to have the strength to deal with THAT?
-
Tim Kolodziej: We were watching, 'Canes, and we’re so glad we did
To all the moms and dads who lugged their kids to all the games, through all the snow and sleet and road construction, be heartened: The lessons your children learned by watching New Castle play are priceless.
-
Tim Kolodziej: We can do better than ‘just livin’ the dream’
“Just livin’ the dream.” I’ve probably heard that phrase dozens of times this year — and it’s always used in a derogatory sense.
In essence, people are really saying, “I’m stuck and I don’t know how to get out.” OK, maybe. - More Tim Kolodziej Headlines
-
Today in History May 22
Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
Raw: Costa Rica Volcano Roars to Life
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
Raw: Aussie Zoo Shows Off White Rhino Calf
Today in History for May 21st
Bank Shooting Rampage in Israel Kills 4
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
Today in History for May 20th
Today in History for May 19th
Raw: Gun Scare Mars Cannes Film Festival
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Raw: Germany Protestors Picket Barbie House
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
Raw: 6 Die in Russian Ship Fire
Raw: Suicide Bomber Kills 2 Americans, 13 Others
