Life is a Team Sport

It’s a Wonderful Life

The 1946 classic starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed depicts a man named George who keeps getting “stuck” in the small town of Bedford Falls. He has big dreams to travel the world, but life keeps getting in the way. His father dies and leaves him his business and his brother gets married and leaves town.

George ends up getting married and having kids, all the while living in the same small town, running the same small building and loan business but feeling resentful that everyone else gets to leave and have adventures.

The entire movie is filled with beautiful moments; George saving his brother’s life, George giving his honeymoon money to locals when there was a run on the bank, the local community that George and his company help to build for people who couldn’t afford a home otherwise. Also throughout the movie, George’s friends from childhood appear having traveled the world, chased their dreams and found success.
The movie ends with George getting to see the difference he has actually made and that he has actually had A Wonderful Life.

Have you ever felt stuck? Ever felt like the world was passing you by while you take care of what’s in front of you? Especially this year, we have all felt moments of loss and isolation. But we don’t need to let that define us. It’s all a matter of perspective.
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Life is made up of moments not accomplishments. That is what George didn’t realize. While he was busy being jealous and complaining, he missed appreciating all of the beautiful moments that had made his life so rich.

As 2020 comes to a close, how can you take time to appreciate the moments and people in your life? Here are some ideas:

Create a photo album from this past year
Call 3 people to let them know you appreciate them
Put away screens the next time you have a meal with people
Make a list of 20 things you are thankful for
Start a journal or if you already have one, read back over what you wrote this year
Give back, whether that is to charity or someone you know who is in need
Get outside and spend time in nature
Spend an evening with friends or family, even if it has to be virtually
Pray/meditate
Watch It’s a Wonderful Life

Teddy Roosevelt is credited with saying that “comparison is the thief of joy.”

There is a sign that appears in the Building and Loan office during the movie that reads, “All that you can take with you is that which you give away.”

Living a life of significance is the true adventure. Embrace the adventure today!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Patricia

Keeping the Wonder

Today we take a holistic look at keeping our love for the season and embracing what gives us life without getting overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle.

Some practical ways to keep the wonder:
– find ways to serve others
– foster a spirit of giving
– saying “yes” to the right things and “no” to others

Holistic strategies:
Mind – find space in the day to mentally reset, get a break from screens & being organized with meal planning
Body – Prioritize exercise and sleep
Spirit – Making time for prayer & meditation, being around people who encourage you, knowing your why

For the Highlight Reel, Patricia shares about her new favorite app called Encountering Peace, which started as a podcast. You can find it here: https://encounteringpeace.com
It is a 15 minute guided prayer and meditation for each day.

In the Blooper Reel, Becky shares one of her favorite most embarrassing moments from teaching.

The Huddle for Women is a virtual, free event on January 9. You can get more information and register on our new website: http://www.lifeisateamsporteveryday.com

You can follow us on Instagram @life_is_a_team_sport

Attitude is Everything

Our attitude in good and bad circumstances is our choice. And that choice will affect everything else. Join us for our conversation with Val Brock as she shares about growing up in the south, cheering for college football, playing youth sports and the accident that changed everything. Val talks about losing her leg and the way she embraced that challenge from the start. She also reminds us that there is beauty in embracing your normal. ********** In her highlight reel, Val tells us all about Kylie Jenners new eye makeup and why it smooth as butter.

Mindset Matters

Ele Margelos shares about why mindset matters and how to have a strong mindset. Ele, currently the head women’s soccer coach of Washington Adventist University, special Ed teacher in Montgomery County MD and freelance photographer, talks about developing a strong mindset as a youth soccer player through discipline, competition and developing a love for the game. She also addresses overcoming injuries and setbacks, setting goals, positive self talk and the importance of accountability. In her highlight reel, Ele tells us about SHEIN, an online shopping app that she is using to get Christmas presents for friends and family. Check it out at http://www.SHEIN.com Ele also mentions a book that she is reading called The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. If you have questions or things you think should be included on the show, email us at: lifeisateamsportpodcast@gmail.com. For more great content, follow us on Instagram @life_is_a_team_sport

Go to Goal

Setting goals in an important skill. Learn how to make SMART goals that give clear direction and a clear picture of what success looks like. Smart is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. Listen as we share goals that we have achieved in the past and how they qualified as SMART goals.

Also, for our Highlight Reel, Becky shares how Jamie Ivey and her podcast “The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey” was part of her inspiration for wanting to start this podcast.

For our Blooper Reel, Patricia shares one of her favorite mother of the year moments.

If you have questions or things you think should be included on the show, email us at: lifeisateamsportpodcast@gmail.com

For more great content, follow us on Instagram @life_is_a_team_sport

About Us

What’s it like to be friends for over 20 years?

Well I know how it feels and we are here to share! Patricia and I have been friends for over 22 years! Wow right? It is pretty incredible to have a friend who has known you for so long through so many highs and lows in life. The years fly by when you have “your people.” They know your flaws and love you still.

Patricia and I met as 18 year old freshman in August of 1998. We both were recruited by Coach Davis to play soccer at Clarks Summit University, formerly known as Baptist Bible College. Patricia was a goalie and I played midfield and defense. Soccer was our first bond and basketball became the second. We both walked onto the basketball team and spent almost all our time together that year. Patricia went on to finish college at Mary Washington College. I finished up at Clarks Summit in 2002 with a bachelor of science degree.

After college Patricia went on to marry Kevin and they have been raising their four children while residing in Maryland. She is the Collegiate Director for Fellowship of Christian Athletes at University of Maryland. I married Matt Pineo and we enjoy living in South Jersey while raising our two children. By day I am a middle school Physical Education teacher. I know, I know, I’m a saint for working with hormonal teenagers! I definitely fit right in with them!

Patricia and I stayed in touch after college. She has made an annual trip to the beach to visit us every summer for the past 10+ years! This podcast organically came to mind in October of 2020. I have always loved to connect with people and this seemed like a natural next step to use the gift of gab that I have!

As we gather in our “team room” each week to explore lessons we have learned from sport and how our faith, fitness, family and fun weave their way into our everyday lives, we hope you will walk away being encouraged to know you are never alone.

Becky