If You Try Sometime

Never tell someone they can’t succeed. Never say never, and give up without a fight, or giving something you really believe in a good shot. I was waiting for my youngest son to finish lacrosse practice when I couldn’t avoid hearing one parent explain how hopeless it was to try and make it in hockey. He supported this argument by pointing out the "limited player slots in the NHL and the ratio of American players to Canadians and Europeans. Lacrosse is a better sport because it’s got more opportunities for young American players". Ok Einstein, it’s time for me to move a little further away. That’s probably not what any hockey parent wanted to hear. People are always willing to give expert advise when you really just want to watch your kid play. First of all, Lacrosse is a worldwide sport. Take some time and see how much this sport is and has grown worldwide. As far as Hockey, there are plenty of opportunities in the sport; the NHL isn’t the only game in town. Check out the link: Hockey
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way” The same is true for any goal. If someone tells you you’re not college material, can’t do a certain job, or won’t amount to much, then buckle down and prove them wrong. Hit the books, hit the ice, and hit the field. Your life is what you make it. If you want something bad enough your going to have to work for it. You’ll get a lot farther trying and working towards a goal than you will if you give up. I love hockey, and I really, really, like Lacrosse too. Notice I differentiated on that one. People who give up easily don’t like to work hard, but they do love to bring others down to their level. Walk away and listen to your heart. Yes, I’d like to see hockey players pick up a lacrosse stick, and maybe they find out that it is what they really want to do. Then that’s what they should do, but don’t make lacrosse sound as though it’s just a more accessible and easier path to take. Lacrosse is harder than you think, a lot harder. There is no sure thing in life except the end. Do something before you get there. Is the NHL an unrealistic goal for some? It probably is, but if you want to put in the time and effort then go for it. You may not make it all the way to the top of the mountain, but you won’t be stuck at the bottom of the hill either. Didn’t the Rolling Stones have a song about not always getting what you want? So don’t give up because of some knucklehead. If you do something, do it because it’s something you really love, not because it’s your only option.Mick Jagger must have been a big sports fan. Some schools do support some sports more than others. Sometimes you can’t get away from that. Two of my sons moved from hockey to lacrosse because that was what they wanted. Lacrosse is big here, very big. I’m glad they played a lot of hockey over the years. I know it influenced a lot of who they are. As a coach and as a dad my job has always been to help them achieve their goals, not shoot them down. Any player that I have ever known or coached I want to see succeed. You’d be surprised at what some of these kids can accomplish. Any player who is very good at something had to want to be great. Don’t be afraid of success, and don’t be satisfied with taking the easy route. You want it; you got to work for it. The best goal I have ever known about is the one where you set your heights on being the best you can at what you do. Sometimes that takes a while.