Marriage Moats-Practice is Boring Unless it's Fun
Published: Thu, 02/23/12
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 "Practice, practice, practice!!" People signed up anyway. I have a pathetic track record myself when it comes to practicing running.... er make that walking... or yoga. I drive by the fields amok with kids all huffing and sweaty during lacrosse practice, and notice that I am not even tempted to join a sport. Well, tempted, if you count that blip on the motivational screen as I picture myself scoring a goal and thumping my teammates.
The other day someone told me he enjoys running. My jaw thunked. I figured people could only like being done running, never the actual time spent pounding. I assumed people had to whip themselves into submission or sweeten the bribes. You know, 1000 calories consumed jogging=1000 calories of Dark Chocolate with Hazelnuts.
There are a bunch of hockey buffs in town who get up before dark to shiver and skate, and submit themselves to body slams all in the name of the game. Last week at the Bishop's Bowl Tournament a player snapped an ACL, or some such under appreciated ligament. People imply that athletics are fun but I want proof. Show me the pre and post test stats of however it is that researchers quantify jollity. Could I get the same thrill from a rugged game of I Doubt It? Practicing communications did not sound riveting to me even as I wrote my own registration blurb. But in a room with a circle of people that had to expand three times to absorb latecomers.... it was fabulous. We laughed as if we meant it, and oiled the creaky connections between us. Verbal calisthenics made our relationships limber and our heart rates rise. We ran laps of Appreciations, Repair Attempts, 5 Yeses, Name that Feeling, That Makes Sense, HAY's and Empathy. John even challenged them all to a round of Finger Swiveling. And we all got out without an injury.
Photo by Joy Feerrar
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