If you can’t play a sport, play a sport
A special person in my life used to say to me: “If you can’t play a sport, play a sport.” For the longest time, I used to tease him about this saying. What does it even mean?
I’m starting to believe there’s actually quite a profound meaning to it (which may or may not have been intended!!). You see, if you can’t play a sport, the best way to learn is to try one. Just like mothering: If you think you can’t, just do it. And we certainly get the practice! Even when we don’t want to. Even when we don’t know how to do it. Even when we feel completely inept or depleted, we still have to. A friend sent me a meme the other day that said: “Motherhood is so weird like I would die for you but I really don’t want to make you dinner tonight” (@the.heatherlynn) Motherhood can be relentless; it can be so hard to pick ourselves up time and time again when we just don’t feel like it or when we just want a break.
My perspective on this has shifted in the last few days. I recently returned to a role I’ve previously done. I recognize this is a rare opportunity to get to do the same job again in a professional setting, only a few years later with some life and learning in between. And it feels like such a privilege to do so. Of course it’s not exactly identical, however, I’m noticing how good it feels to be able to adjust my approach. I get a do-over. I get to try again. Motherhood offers do-overs every day. Every time we pick ourselves up when we don’t want to is an opportunity to try again. Every morning we wake up to a new day is an opportunity to try again. Yes, mothering can feel relentless, but I think these recent experiences and reflections remind me that the sticky parts on our path are there for a reason. Mothering offers countless opportunities to try again. If we didn’t make it work yesterday, we get to try again today. If you don’t play a sport, play a sport.