I have a friend who cannot help but coach while watching football. This is not a Monday morning, comment after it is all over with a knowing what should be done approach. This is an active, current, put it out for everyone to see kinds of coaching. For those sitting within earshot, he will jump up and demonstrate what he is trying to describe. This is a coach that believes! He loves his teams and has a view.
I love watching football with him. There are two reasons. First, it is fun! You have two events underway – one is not quite real on the screen. The other is alive and in motion within your reach. One can challenge, dispute, and encourage. I often find myself doing all three at the same time! I rarely know what I am talking about but our interaction is not a debate about truths. It is an engaged exchanged of what to do in the moment at hand. It is a wonderful opportunity to reach for more.
Second, the approach of this armchair coach is always positive. “There are a lot of people around who can’t wait to tell you what you’ve done wrong, but there aren’t many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up.” (1 Corinthians 4.15) His sole desire is for the team to win. He wants the best of every player.
What if I reshaped my life along the same lines as the coaching sessions? I can imagine what they would be like – fun, positive, and reaching for more! I have a hard time finding out what is wrong with the starting point. The idea that one would be engaged, real, and demonstrative is very appealing. No dull meetings! No standing on protocol. No avoidance of tough conversations. The opportunities to act are here. Wait and the window will be gone.
The approach is always towards more. Yes, there is learning from the past. Yet we do not let this knowledge bind us. We take what we have and move things forward.
