{"id":6035,"date":"2016-03-22T00:44:58","date_gmt":"2016-03-22T04:44:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=6035"},"modified":"2016-03-22T00:44:58","modified_gmt":"2016-03-22T04:44:58","slug":"just-a-game-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=6035","title":{"rendered":"just a game?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"photo-1413919873593-061d76ec8452\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As I empathized with many, watching my beloved alma mater be included in the unfortunate list of first round tournament upsets over the weekend, I wrestled with the timeless mantra of this being somehow \u201cjust a game\u201d\u2026\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s just a game,\u201d<\/em><\/strong> we like to say.<\/p>\n

Right\u2026 so that\u2019s supposed to make me feel better?<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not sure I believe that it really is \u201cjust a game\u201d \u2014 and I say that not solely as one whose wadded up bracket is currently occupying\u00a0space in the closest trash can. I mean, by definition \u2014 basketball, football, soccer, you name it \u2014 they are each games \u2014 show choir, band, gymnastics, etc. They are each a form of play or sport, played according to a certain set of rules.<\/p>\n

But consistent with my frequent assertion, often articulated relevant to a specific post \u2014 that \u201cthis is not a sports post\u201d \u2014 sports are where we learn so many valuable lessons far beyond the game idea\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2026 realizing the benefit of hard work\u2026<\/em>
\n\u2026 comprehending how hard work pays off over time\u2026<\/em>
\n\u2026 knowing the necessary investment in ongoing training\u2026<\/em>
\n\u2026 seeing the beauty of discipline\u2026<\/em>
\n\u2026 seeing the beauty of perseverance\u2026<\/em>
\n\u2026 recognizing the need for emotional control\u2026<\/em>
\n\u2026 keeping emotions from overtaking us and making poor choices\u2026<\/em>
\n\u2026 channeling our emotions into something good\u2026<\/em>
\n\u2026 not over-reacting to a given moment in time\u2026<\/em>
\n\u2026 recognizing that one \u201cup\u201d or one \u201cdown\u201d is only a snapshot in time; it\u2019s not the whole picture\u2026<\/em>
\n\u2026 grasping the concept of team\u2026<\/em>
\n\u2026 grasping the beauty of team\u2026<\/em>
\n\u2026 learning compassion and empathy for teammates\u2026<\/em>
\n\u2026 acquiring genuine respect for the opposition\u2026<\/em>
\n\u2026 acknowledging how solid competition spurs us on\u2026<\/em>
\n\u2026 and never seeing self as better and best\u2026<\/em>
\n\u2026 simply wanting to improve\u2026<\/em>
\n\u2026 simply wanting to grow\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

I think better said than \u201cit\u2019s just a game\u201d is that sports are an arena in which we have that opportunity to grow. But an opportunity is only an opportunity if and when we seize it.<\/p>\n

When we refuse to seize the opportunity \u2014 when we attempt to simply brush it off a loss with the convenient \u201cit\u2019s just a game\u201d mentality \u2014 I wonder whether that causes us to focus only on the outcome, instead recognizing\u00a0all of the above listed benefits.<\/p>\n

I think of the NCAA tournament, now headed to next week\u2019s slate of games that are advertised as nothing less than \u201csweet.\u201d The reality of the NCAA men\u2019s basketball tournament is that while 68 teams are included, 67 of those 68 will lose their last game. Should those 67 then walk off with their heads held in paralyzing despair?\u00a0There is certainly room for disappointment \u2014 especially when not executing ability to one\u2019s furthest extent; and that disappointment can drive us to improve and achieve. But there is also room for growth, if we recognize the contest actually is far more<\/em> than any game. The idea is to not get so caught up in only the wins and losses.<\/p>\n

Sometimes I think we encourage evaluation of the outcome only, as if such is the only measure of success. We miss the benefits in how the game is prepared for and played.<\/p>\n

Perhaps then, the \u201cjust a game\u201d idea is more said to make us one time hopefuls \u2014 those with the wadded up brackets \u2014 feel better after a disappointing loss. Maybe it’s said to soften the blow. After all, how many times is the \u201cjust a game\u201d mantra mentioned after a rousing, spectacular win?<\/p>\n

No, it’s not just a game.<\/p>\n

Respectfully\u2026
\nAR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As I empathized with many, watching my beloved alma mater be included in the unfortunate list of first round tournament upsets over the weekend, I wrestled with the timeless mantra of this being somehow \u201cjust a game\u201d\u2026\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s just a game,\u201d we like to say. Right\u2026 so that\u2019s supposed to make me feel better? I\u2019m not … <\/p>\n

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