A House Divided
An "April Fact" - I like sports, mainly football and baseball. Specifically, my "will root for no matter what" teams are Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Braves, and Georgia Bulldogs.
The 2008 Sugar Bowl was played on New Years Day. My Dawgs were there. So were the Hawaii Warriors. It was a tough game day at Dad's house.
A little background. I am Hawaiian on my father's side. The Hawaiian culture is a bit different than what I can even begin to explain. Rosa could probably do a better job. I can tell you about the family ties and the richness of tradition. But those semantics would only begin to scratch the surface that is a Hawaiian heart. So, you will just have to trust me when I tell you that while I am a "no matter what" Dawgs fan, it hurt my heart to not be able to pull for the Warriors.
The game went just the way it should have. Georgia owned the ball from kickoff to final score. I expected it. What I didn't expect was the wealth of teachable moments this game provided for my kids.
Both of my older children are Bulldog fans. They know the fight song, they get excited about the games, and they wear the colors. However, for the Sugar Bowl, Savannah decided she was rooting for her Papa's team.
Teachable moment #1 - Madison thought this decision was crazy. It's the Dawgs, for crying out loud. However, it was the perfect opportunity to encourage free thought, the ability to change one's mind, and sticking to your decisions regardless of the pressure put on us by other people.
So, as little girls are wont to do, the making up of team cheers commenced. However, it became somewhat...combative.
Teachable Moment #2 - Just because you are for one thing doesn't mean you have to be against the other. If your position is strong, it should stand on it's own merit. It is a respectable skill to be able to bring your own position up without resorting to dragging someone else's down.
Like I mentioned, the outcome of the game was never in question. Georgia dominated and then it was over.
Teachable moments 3 & 4 - Winning is great. It feels good, it is rewarding, and we all like to do it. However, sportsmanship, consideration of others, and remembering how to be sincerely humble are character qualities that must never be overlooked. Losing is not so fun. You work hard, give it your best shot and it still doesn't work out. This happens. The important thing is to understand that even losses are wealth springs of learning opportunities. We must always keep the main thing the main thing - and losing is not the main thing. The moments after are.
Post author April Groves is the author of Making Life Work For You providing information on community, success, and life management, and My Beautiful Chaos, a personal weblog which celebrates her family and friends, and her spirit of play.
April, I am glad there were teachable moments from the game. I watched only a bit at the beginning and it was enough to see that it was not going to be a good Hawaiian night.
Posted by: Steve Sherlock | January 04, 2008 at 07:39 AM
What an interesting dilemma! Having lived in several states, I also have that conflict with sports teams. My first loyalty is always to Boston / New England teams. Then NJ, NY, Chicago and Florida. When they are playing each other, I root for Boston, but I'm also happy when my other team wins. Is that weird?
It's like a no-lose situation for me! tee hee
I don't have kids myself, but I love your concept of teachable moments. It must be so hard today to get kids to value the "effort" rather than the "outcome" when our society has become so much about outcomes.
Thanks for such an interesting read! : )
Posted by: Ariane Benefit, Neat & Simple Living | January 04, 2008 at 11:06 AM
What a wonderful post! As a mother and college football fan myself, I can relate to your teachable moments. Great lessons here.
Posted by: Barbara | January 11, 2008 at 04:35 PM
Steve, you are right. I saw the first penalty on the first possession (delay of game) and I knew that this Sugar Bowl experience was a bit overwhelming for the Warriors. I hope they took teachable moments as well. That team has more heart and more potential. I believe they are on the path to becoming a team to be reckoned with. I am gonna order my Warrior t-shirt for their first game against Florida. As long as it's not Georgia - they have my heart!
Posted by: April Groves | January 12, 2008 at 07:09 AM
Ariane, it is a difficult thing in this interesting society to raise children. But it is a ride I wouldn't give up for all the Sugar Bowl wins int he world :)
Funny you mention New England. I like the Patriots a lot. I have been excited about their undefeated season. Until tonight, that is...they play Jacksonville. And I am working hard to get the ability you have to have a win-win situation...but I'm not there yet ;)
Posted by: April Groves | January 12, 2008 at 07:14 AM
Barbara, I think sports, both the good and the bad, holds a wealth of life examples.
And I love how you specify "college football." While I enjoy the pro games too, college is a different experience and I really do prefer it.
Posted by: April Groves | January 12, 2008 at 07:19 AM