What's in a Team?
When we challenge ourselves alongside others, overcoming our limitations becomes less about bettering “me” for “my sake” by “myself” and more about building a dynamic of growth that moves from “me” to “we.”
It’s All about Growth
We all come to the playing field with varying levels of skill, stamina and strength. We all have something to offer, and we all could benefit from the mastery of others. In the second blessing, we learn that all members of a family play a role that contributes to the growth of everyone. Similarly, we all play a role in each other’s lives as a community—as teachers, mentors, students, coaches and teammates; we give and we get. With that in mind, how can we build this “we” mentality?
Congratulate each other. As you’re glaring across the court at your rival and shouting directions to your defender, remember at the end of the game, it’s about community. Competition provides the challenge that everyone needs to get better.
Let go of that ego. Shutting down to criticism cuts off your chances at self-betterment. The competition will get intense and words will be thrown around in urgency, but don’t react in defense. Take it as a challenge and a goal to improve.
Take time for others. An effective team is one in which we find both mentors and mentees, people we look up to and people who look up to us. One may be able to offer a technique on making the shot every time, while another can help their friends work on their defense strategies.
Brush up on your teaching skills. What happens when a beginner asks to join the team? You may not be able to afford an inexperienced player, but everyone was a beginner at some point . Teach them the moves, lay out the rules and hold practice sessions. If they are willing to put in the effort, they will make it to the games in time.
Self-Betterment: Going from “Me” to “We”
We’ve focused a lot on the self this spring, from cleaning up our personal and professional relationships to getting our spirit back in the right place. We’ve gotten a pep talk on getting active and learned about how to stretch ourselves and unite mind with body, but that is just the beginning. We are now prepared mentally, spiritually and physically to take on the ultimate challenge.
As the fields regain their grassy cover and running shoes become the primary footwear, be an active member of your community and take initiative to bring a team together. Think about your strengths and what you can give, as well as what experiences you’d like to gain. Be a coach or get a group together to practice weekly basketball, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, or even set up a weekly community event with a different sport each week. Try hitting the rock climbing walls with your friends.
Whether on the field or off, working with a team can be challenging, but sharing the victory with others is always twice as sweet.