Shake it off

I was watching one of Macguines' football games a few weeks ago. It was so cold the air made your face hurt, the hot chocolate made it bearable, but still it was cold. As I looked across the field I saw moms and dads similarly huddled under blankets and snuggling younger children in their laps, it was time for the big boys to play, and play they did.
I will never understand the male fascination with football - on a day as cold as this I wonder is it even worth it? Does it really matter? But any worth while parent will tell you it matters very much that they learn the thrill of victory and the taste of defeat, that they learn that hard work and heart pay off, and that sometimes even when you work hard and have all the heart in the world, you still lose.
This has been a tough game. The smack of cold shoulder pads combined with the thrumming beat of feet, are keeping the attention of every spectator today; even the smallest children are watching this contest.
I see one of our players has gone down, all the players on the field take a knee and wait until he is back up again. He is one of our star players,and for good reason. He is at every practice, early to the games, he listen to his father's advice and every play he gives his best effort. I hear his dad say "Shake it off, son, you'll be alright." The kid doesn't look so sure, but he marches out onto the field dutifully while his dad shouts encouragements to him. Give him a play or two and he's back as good as ever. This kid truly can shake it off.
A few plays later another kid goes down, this one is no surprise though. This kid is a whiner. Late to practice if he even comes, late to games, you would think to blame the parent but with this kid you know he is the reason he is late, not them. Every other play this kid is laying on the ground crying about how hurt he is. The other kids barely notice, the coach ignores the display. His dad doesn't say a word, he just looks utterly humiliated, his mom looks disgusted. The referee yells for him to hurry up and get off the field so the other kids can play. He picks himself up and trots off, he looks relieved to be able to sit down under a blanket.

"Shake it off"
This is what we tell our boys when they get tackled- when they fall down , when they get creamed by the other team - Shake it off- and we expect them to do that.

Why do we tell them this? Are we being selfish or petty? Are we being mean? OR Are we encouraging them to keep on going?

Because we have a different perspective, we know that next week or next year it won't matter who beat who in the jv tackle football league, what will matter is if they acted like a winner or a whiner.

Macguines' team got beat that day - it was a close game - the kids played hard, they were at the 8 yard line ready to score the winning touchdown when time ran out. Our star player hung his head, he was obviously discouraged, his father offered him a blanket and a few words of encouragement. Life isn't over because of one contest.
What about our team whiner? He was in the car faster than the other players even made it off the field, only concerned about his own comfort, his father had to tell him to go out and huddle with the rest of the team.

It is amazing what you and I could learn from a little bit of football. Try and take a different perspective.

I have heard a lot of complaining today, but our Father offers encouragement and wisdom, as long as your not laying on the field whining.

Shake it off