It’s just not fair

There’s a “fairness” to sports we often seek. Have you noticed that?

We want the nice girl to win. Or the team that had to overcome.We don’t root for the cheater. Or the nasty coach on the sideline. 

“Fair and square.” It’s like a moral compass. A North Star. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. 

We often can trap ourselves in an ambiguous mirage of fairness.

I know I’ve done this.The kids I’ve coached, they definitely get stuck here;

I’m working hard. But where’s the payoff? (Now!)

I want _____ (fill in the black). But she got it (first.) 

I keep persevering. But there’s (still) more hurdles!

It’s not fair. It doesn’t feel fair. And sports should be fair. Right?

I don’t think so. 

I think the timeframe we judge “fair” is too small. The vantage point too close. When we get stuck in wanting things to be fair, I think that’s just it. We are stuck.

Slumped. 

Stagnated. 

Frustrated.

Looking for an easy answer. An easy way out. 

Looking for the gold at the end of the rainbow. 

The older I’ve grown, my life feels a lot like how sports can feel when your deep in the middle. Highs. Hurdles. Everything in between. It’s not fair. 

But it does work out. 

All of it. In its own way. It. That. Everything. It works out.

It just needs time. Reps. A chance to breathe. Learn. Fail. Bridge perspective. 

So stop looking for it to be easier. Stop chasing a unicorn of fairness.

Highs. Hurdles. You’ve got all that it takes. 

Keep swinging.

Keep showing up. 

One step at a time. 

You’ll get to where you’re going.

Play you, 

Coach D