when we ask ourselves why
I received a request yesterday from a passionate high school volleyball coach. She was looking for a way to inspire her girls, to keep them motivated and positive during this difficult period. After sending her my email I decided it could be good to share this message with the rest of you too.
Anyone who’s driven in finding answers within themselves that could lead to positive change may take something useful away from this one…
During a time like this it's hard to know how everything will turn out because there is so much out of our control. We’re being asked to stay home to keep ourselves and others safe... not a person alive today has ever been asked this before. Since it is such a strange time, a lot of people are feeling uncertain and scared because they don't know what the future holds. I've been facing this same thought; not knowing if I will be able to play next season, whether I will find a contract or not... it can be scary to -not know-. What this situation is offering us though, is time for reflection. We have the opportunity to sit with ourselves and our own thoughts and reflect. What a gift!!
One question I have spent a lot of time on over the last ten years of playing for Team USA and professionally overseas is "Why do I choose to play volleyball?" "What is my why?” This question is awesome because it makes us think about the core of why we choose to play this sport. Which can then lead us to taking more intentional action.
The answer to this question of why has been a motivator for me over the years.
For a long time my reason for playing was because I WANT TO BE AN OLYMPIAN. Then it became I WANT TO BE THE BEST SETTER IN THE WORLD, and then I WANT TO BE THE BEST PLAYER I CAN POSSIBLY BE and then it morphed to I WANT TO FIND THE BEST VERSION OF MYSELF.
My answer has changed and grown and shifted and I am certain it will continue to as long as I choose to play.
We all make choices every day...what to eat for breakfast, what to wear, how to respond to our parents when they say something we don't like hearing. We make choices over and over and over. It's part of being human.
Our reasons for "why" we do things is important. It helps motivate us and keeps us focused and organized and on the track we WANT to be on. You can ask yourself "why" for just about anything. Why don't I believe in myself? Why did I just respond to my mom that way? Why do I feel so low during this time? Why do I play volleyball and not another sport? Why did that comment on Instagram just hurt me so much?
Asking ourselves why brings the autopilot in us to a halt. These questions lead us to the solutions we’re in need of to make better, more mindful choices.
Even in moments of low, when everything feels off and strange and uncertain....we can still use the time we have to make choices and find answers that are going to help us live the life we are longing for. I journal A LOT...I love it. I've done it for as long as I can remember...If you have some time today maybe you can sit down and ask yourself some questions. Ask yourself some "whys" and within those answers you will see how very powerful and capable you are of making choices and taking actions that are positive and intentional. I know the road isn't always smooth and easy...but it's during these hard moments that we have the opportunity to grow. This is an opportune time to learn more about ourselves so that on the other side of the hardship we can be closer to the version of ourselves that we long for.
Maybe you’re asking yourself now, Why did I just read this entire article??
HOPEFULLY your response is one that uplifts and inspires you.