Winning
with Zen for Kids
It's been said sports are a mirror of society, and I feel - for better
or for worse - that that's a fairly accurate assessment.
However, all too often in sports and life arrogance and selfishness
replace humility and generosity as paramount values.
And unfortunately, this bad behavior is not only being
tolerated, but is sometimes even rewarded and encouraged.
Just turn on any sports highlights show to see what I mean.
While there are professional athletes who play with proper decorum and
are good role models, what about the other star athletes whose
outrageous behavior has become so common that it's being copied by kids
and considered acceptable by parents? The lack of dignity,
courtesy and respect displayed by these athletes harms not only the
sports they play, but also society.
 Teaching and practicing
etiquette are the kindest things we can do for our children and
ourselves. The intended goal of a game is to complement our
lives with a pleasant detour from everyday activities including
work rather than to contribute to stress, anger and frustration.
Without sportsmanship, the pleasure of playing sports
declines, resulting in frustration for players and spectators.
To reap the benefits of sports, we must play with the proper
mindset. And it's my belief that through the concept of Zen,
the proper mindset can be obtained.
Zen, as discussed in my sport book, "The Zen
of Tennis: A Winning Way of Life," enables athletes to be
competitive, yet in control of their emotions. They
play to win, but they do so within the confines of the rules, and with
respect for their opponents. This attitude allows focus and eliminates
worry or concern about the outcome of a game or match.
Zen is the difference between confidence and self-importance, or
between humility and arrogance. It's about having enough
confidence in yourself and your game that you are able to commend your
opponent for a good shot. Thus, you're able to give your
opponent a sincere handshake and kind words of congratulations after a
match, contest or game, regardless of whether you win or lose.
Zen teaches you how to remain calm and gain control of a
stressful situation on the court or playing field.
Moreover, this discipline carries over into your everyday
life.
Here are some simple Zen tips that you can immediately use and teach
children to boost happiness and success both on the playing field and
off.
1. Always conduct yourself in a civilized fashion.
This means playing by the rules of the game, or the rules of
society. Excuses - including reasons to ignore the rules - can be a double-edged sword. On
the one hand, they superficially help us feel better about ourselves or
a situation; yet on the other hand, they can blind us from reality,
covering up problems and weaknesses that could be improved upon.
Remember there is a gift of wisdom in every difficult situation.
2. If
you make a mistake or you're having a bad day, don't blame others for
it.
Remember that other people want to be happy and successful, too, so
don't hate them for it. Unfortunately, respect and etiquette is not a
common thing, so make yourself stand out as a winner by cultivating a
positive attitude towards others. Whether you win or lose, it shows
class and confidence to be gracious and humble. Learn to get what you
want and help out others at the same time by being courteous and
respectful.
3. Don't
worry about people or situations that you can't control.
Stay detached from negativity by concentrating and focusing on the task
at hand, not on the distractions around you. Not only will you enjoy your
experience more, but you will think, as well as perform, at a more
optimal level. Mental, physical and emotional control is paramount to
success. In fact, I would say it is definitely a common factor among
successful people.
Following
these three simple tips will not only improve performance on the field,
but also in life as well.
Contents of this web site are copyrighted. ©2006-8 Nancy Koran unless
otherwise noted. If you would like to use the material of
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