Win from Within

For those of you that don't know, I write quotes, scriptures, designs, etc all over glove. When I was in college Karl Kuehl, someone that will always be near and dear to my heart, mentored me on my mental game. To be honest he was the puzzle piece that helped me pitch my way to a championship in 2008. Karl left us on August 8, 2008 which was a devastating moment to the many people he had mentored & taught. He didn't only teach me speak positively to myself or as they "self-talk" but encouraged me to write those positive thoughts on my glove as a reminder. 

Not only has this helped me through the years, but I have had many kids that have taken my advice & written on their glove as that friendly reminder too. The best yet is a baseball player that gives lessons came up to me and said he wanted to write on his glove. I shouted "HECK YEAH! Do it, make it mean something!" So the other day when he approached me he said, "I got what I'm going to write, Win from Within." Not only was that inspiring, but it got me thinking.  

These kids don't win from you screaming at them, tearing them down. They win from encouragement & motivation. You get better by positive "self-talk" or "self-prophesy" all the other thoughts we have are lies, and well those thoughts need to go back down from where they came from.

So parents, coaches, & athletes... Just think you never know who you will come in contact with where you may change that persons life. If we act out in anger that will be reciprocated, but when we act out in love, and yes sometimes a little tough love we send the message of "don't give up, keep trying."

Girls are fragile at a young age, and by golly even as seniors in college & as adults (just ask husband, haha). News flash it's because we're GIRLS! Boys are conditioned to be TOUGH, no matter how "tough" you make a girl, emotionally there is only so much you can inflict before we break down & give up. So take a load off from the negativity & learn to encourage with your mouth & your actions. 

"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." James 1:19

I take this advice to heart, and when I'm coaching all I see is amazing potential these kids have. On the flip side, I have to work at listening, so I don't miss a moment where they may need a friend rather than just a coach.