J O Y

Describe one simple thing you do that brings joy to your life.

Hmmm

Let’s see…

I feel like I’ve been a real student of this.

But lately, I might be failing

Seriously.

joy. joy? j o y ? Uh

We decided to drive to Rhode Island today. Never mind joy, we just need a break. The weather is predicted to be sunny and warm. There are beaches with real waves…

I brought a jacket and a sweat shirt which was a good idea (I’m learning), because it’s neither warm nor sunny, but the waves are surfable and the sand is warm. It’s lovely…

Sometimes the things that are hard, are hard to describe. Sometimes describing doesn’t matter at all. I do like to be understood, but I’m learning that being understood isn’t as important as other things.

I just listened to a podcast about the basketball player, Bill Walton, who recently passed away.

The guy telling the story was a sports writer and true fan. He gave examples of statistics, of games played and other facts about Bill’s career. He said that here was a very talented player whose bad luck and injuries prevented him from really being the player he should have been.

He had recently interviewed Bill and wondered about his thoughts on the subject of success as a basketball player.

Bill who really was a dynamic force in the NBA on and off the court, said something to the effect that it all comes down to choice. He said that how you approach anything, is choice. If a player wants to be all about himself and win games like that, its just another choice to be accepted. Not judged. It’s just a way to play the game.

It was an interesting conversation that took you right out of the game of basketball. Bill didn’t think of his life as full of bad luck, even if this young writer did. He didn’t care about that either. He stood by his choices and lived his life on his terms. Injustice, injuries and number of games played or not played. He stood up for causes that weren’t popular, he seemed to understand life and its meaning way beyond what happened on the court.

Bill Walton was a talented player, yes, but even more so, he was a pretty amazing and insightful human.

I love being inspired by greatness, however it is demonstrated.

That gives me joy. Adjusting my perspective seems to also.