Worthy

“Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody’s business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.”

― Thomas Merton

There are a great many elements that are made to flow into, mesh and create a positive, genuine, impactful and lasting impression when it comes to coaching. Whether in an athletic, professional or special needs setting, one ingredient surpasses all.  

Over the decades of coaching, it has become apparent that love is the one true catalyst for life rendering change, growth and achievement.  Connecting all together at an altogether different level. Not so much an additive meant to alter the chemistry of the participants.  But rather an individual or moment that precipitates a series of  life altering and affirming events.

As a coach, the  central tenet to coaching football is to foster player development through personal growth.

True player development is completely contingent on connecting to the individual within the player first.   Your message and methods need to reach, recognize and reinforce  both of these elements within  each person.

Getting to know each player on a personal level, learning about their interests away from the field and supporting their other activities are important aspects of establishing this connection. A coach needs to recognize that football is just one small aspect of a player’s much bigger life picture.

Connecting to the individual on this basis affirms their true value to you on a personal level. 

The individual within the pads.  

This transcends the game, their position and athletic ability. 

Despite the fact that you are the coach, and your initial connection and relation  was in the context of football, gaining your approval on a non-athletic level is very important to each player.  They will recognize that you are going to be there for them – with or without the pads.  

Your investment into them at this level brings trust.  They know that they can just be.  And that helps shed the armor – for them and you both.  You want them to be all they are and can become.  They want you to help them to get there. Loving them enough to bring this about is what really matters in the game of life. 

Knowing that you are there for them first, they will come to know that they can fail without fear, learn at their own pace, and aspire to fulfill their promise.  

This is to love. 

While this example gravitates towards the athletic side of things, I can attest that it lends itself to a professional setting, and now, working with those with diverse abilities. 

Coaching is not about stopping to inquire or wonder whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody’s business. What we are asked to do as a coach is to love. 

And this love itself will render both ourselves worthy.