You know something we often teach as football coaches is that there are 4 quarters. Now anyone that has played or watched knows that, but it is amazing how many people when they play forget that.
You see, I have seen games where a team is winning by a large sum or where a team is scoring many points in one quarter. Suddenly something changes and the other team comes back and scores and by the end of the game the team that was winning loses. Coaches often say, "you gotta play four quarters."
I was thinking about this phrase as we are celebrating 7 years in the incredible town of Smiths Falls on Thursday July 28th. You see many people start a job (or calling, or profession) all fired up. There is vision and excitement about new things. Maybe to stay with the illustration, they are scoring all kinds of points. Only to find out when "real life" hits that the excitement wanes and they lose their way in the third quarter and sometimes lose the game. I have discovered that when "life" happens, when challenges come along, when you fumble the ball, you gotta keep in the game. "You gotta play 4 quarters." I know that there are many days ahead in Smiths Falls. I know that we are still in this game big time and I know that as we continue in this game there will be challenges but "we will play all 4 quarters."
I love my job, (calling) I love my town, I love my family. I know that as we play this game of life there are great days ahead and I know that when the seconds tick down I am looking forward to the great Coach in the sky saying - well done.
To those of you that are feeling challenged today, keep in the game, look up, you can do it, we can do it!!
"YOU GOTTA PLAY FOUR QUARTERS!!"
Coach Birl, saying, until next time.
Wednesday 27 July 2011
Monday 18 July 2011
"Sports Camp"
Imagine this if you would: fourteen 6 and 7 years olds playing flag football, most of them for the first time.
I am playing on both teams, quarterbacking so that everyone gets a pass or a hand-off. We just start to play, and it is time for the kick off, Can I kick it, say all seven on the one team, can I hold it say three of the same seven.
I am now quarterbacking the other team. Can I get a pass, say five of the seven. Can I run it say three of the seven. Can I be the quarterback says one of the seven.
The games goes on for an hour. Fourteen boys and girls having the time of their lives just wanting to do something. Wanting to catch a pass, wanting to run, wanting to kick, wanting to hold the ball. By the end of the game I was exhausted. What an incredible rush! Fourteen kids, just wanting to be a part of the game.
As a coach it has always been one of my greatest goals to get as many kids involved in the game as possible. My desire is to see kids, grow and glow!! To grow in their abilities and find confidence in everything they do. What a great opportunity.
We all need to be coaches. We need to be life coaches. We need to help kids, ours and others to learn something new. To get to do something for the first time. To be there when they fall, fail, trip up.
What an incredible life I have. To get to help kids learn.
I will never forget last Thursday... my ears were ringing with the requests, "Can I... can I...?"
But life doesn't get any better than that.
Until next time
Coach Birley says "Can I...?"
I am playing on both teams, quarterbacking so that everyone gets a pass or a hand-off. We just start to play, and it is time for the kick off, Can I kick it, say all seven on the one team, can I hold it say three of the same seven.
I am now quarterbacking the other team. Can I get a pass, say five of the seven. Can I run it say three of the seven. Can I be the quarterback says one of the seven.
The games goes on for an hour. Fourteen boys and girls having the time of their lives just wanting to do something. Wanting to catch a pass, wanting to run, wanting to kick, wanting to hold the ball. By the end of the game I was exhausted. What an incredible rush! Fourteen kids, just wanting to be a part of the game.
As a coach it has always been one of my greatest goals to get as many kids involved in the game as possible. My desire is to see kids, grow and glow!! To grow in their abilities and find confidence in everything they do. What a great opportunity.
We all need to be coaches. We need to be life coaches. We need to help kids, ours and others to learn something new. To get to do something for the first time. To be there when they fall, fail, trip up.
What an incredible life I have. To get to help kids learn.
I will never forget last Thursday... my ears were ringing with the requests, "Can I... can I...?"
But life doesn't get any better than that.
Until next time
Coach Birley says "Can I...?"
Tuesday 5 July 2011
"Riding the Pine or In the Game!!"
Well, it has been a while since I have wrote anything. Much water under the bridge since mid June.
Football finished up, school is over, my middle lad turned 10. We have started our camps at the church and our outdoor evening services.
Life is crazy busy. Maybe some of you with kids can relate. One thing that I love about life is:
"I'D RATHER BE IN THE GAME THAN RIDING THE PINE".
What does this mean? Well, have you ever been a part of a team where there are so many players that many sit on the bench (THE PINE). I was recently at a soccer game (the other football). There were 21 players on the team. So basically everyone only played half the game. I hope they got a half price deal for their registration. Riding the pine is no fun. We must GET IN THE GAME!! Whatever the game of life has brought you, get in!! Those of you who find yourself busy with work and kids and everything else. Enjoy it NOW!! One day the house will be empty and you will be glad you did.
I'd rather be a participator than a spectator!!
What are you going to do today to get in the game!!
Let's make a difference: in our kids lives, in the lives of others. Why not pick up the phone call someone you haven't for a while. Why not forgive and forget and make things right. Why not tell someone you love them. Why not go for a coffee.
Let's get off our "butts" and GET IN THE GAME!!
Until Next Time
Coach Birl
Football finished up, school is over, my middle lad turned 10. We have started our camps at the church and our outdoor evening services.
Life is crazy busy. Maybe some of you with kids can relate. One thing that I love about life is:
"I'D RATHER BE IN THE GAME THAN RIDING THE PINE".
What does this mean? Well, have you ever been a part of a team where there are so many players that many sit on the bench (THE PINE). I was recently at a soccer game (the other football). There were 21 players on the team. So basically everyone only played half the game. I hope they got a half price deal for their registration. Riding the pine is no fun. We must GET IN THE GAME!! Whatever the game of life has brought you, get in!! Those of you who find yourself busy with work and kids and everything else. Enjoy it NOW!! One day the house will be empty and you will be glad you did.
I'd rather be a participator than a spectator!!
What are you going to do today to get in the game!!
Let's make a difference: in our kids lives, in the lives of others. Why not pick up the phone call someone you haven't for a while. Why not forgive and forget and make things right. Why not tell someone you love them. Why not go for a coffee.
Let's get off our "butts" and GET IN THE GAME!!
Until Next Time
Coach Birl
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