Gratitude — You Get to Do This

The season is almost over.

Before it ends completely, I want to stop for a second and notice something that is easy to miss when you’re in the middle of it.

You got to do this. The practices. The games. The bus rides. The teammates. All of it. You got to be part of a team this season, and not everyone gets that.

Read this passage slowly.

Let that sit for a second before you move.

Give thanks in all circumstances. Not just when things go well. In all of it — even the hard practices, even the losses, even the times when you were frustrated or tired or wanted to quit. All of it was part of something worth being grateful for.

Think about what you actually have right now. You have a sport you know how to play. You have teammates who went through this season with you. You have a coach who showed up for you. You have a body that ran and jumped and competed. Those are all gifts.

Here’s a simple exercise. Think of three people who made this season possible for you — a parent who drove you, a coach who taught you something, a teammate who encouraged you. Have you told any of them thank you? Not because you have to. Because they deserve it.

If there’s time, have kids actually say thank you to that person before the session ends. Or have them write it down to say after.