Basketball (Or Sports) Doesn't Define Me

It's been quite a few years since I've had an injury that caused me to miss a significant amount of time playing basketball (or sports in general).  As I blogged last time, the injury itself is annoying but hardly worth complaining about.  I've got a friend who has more things to worry about that my measly injury.

In fact, in some ways, the injury has given me time to "rediscover myself" a little bit.  I definitely love playing basketball, sports and working out in general.   Yet I realize that it has become a "dominant" part of my lifestyle to the point where my name and basketball are nearly tied together.   I believe I blogged about the reason why sports are important to me.  When I was in high school, sports was the thing that I was most "recognized".  Many of my peers were studious, got good grades and worked to attend big name colleges.

On the other hand, I wasn't a great student for most of my high school time until my senior year.  Yet, I was a four time athletic award winner in high school (Most Improved Player, 2 Time Coaches Award Winner, Athlete Of The Year).

Because of this, sports has always been a big part of my life.  It's what I have called "Social Exercise".  I get to get away from things, socialize and have fun a bit.  I've even continued to win awards after high school (Four Most Inspirational Player Awards (1999, 2003, 2011, 2012).

The injury has forced me to change up my habits.  Even with injuries in the past, I have gone to the basketball gym to watch my teams play.  But due to logistical and other issues this past week, I chose not to go to the gym.  I've also had to miss my Saturday basketball with friends.  But it's not like I hole up at home.  I've taken to other activities that are not necessarily active.  I'm pursuing my interest in photography and just enjoying other parts of life.

Don't get me wrong.  I won't suddenly drop playing basketball.  But I'm learning that switching things up occasionally is not really a bad thing.

The Changing Nature of Halloween

Where I live, I've noticed a trend the past two to three years.   When I was younger, every Halloween, there would be a stream of kids coming by with their parents to get candy.  But I started noticing fewer and fewer kids stopping a few years ago and then the past two to three years, there has been ZERO kids stopping by.

I had heard that parents had decided to take their kids to the local malls where the stores were passing out candy.  Being at the mall tonight, I saw it was true.  There were a ton of families and kids there including someone I knew.  I guess I can understand why parents have been doing this.  Safety at night is an issue though I can't say that my neighborhood is all that bad.

The funny thing is that I talked to a co-worker in Virginia today and he was still taking his kids out to the neighborhood.  I'm not sure why parents in my area are not taking their kids out to the neighborhood but it is an interesting trend I don't think will change anytime soon.

Adapting To Change

While I can't speak for everyone, I would guess that just about every human being on the planet Earth is a creature of habit in one way or another.  There are dozens of things in our daily lives that we do without thinking.  It might range from brushing our teeth or to how we shoot a basketball.  

However, there are wide differences to different people in how they adapt to changes in their lives, especially when it affects their daily habits and routines.   There changes could be as simple as having to travel to another country or something more involved such as having a new baby in the family.   Some people are very adaptable and adjust to changes without missing a beat.  Some people are very slow and any changes throw them out of sync.  

In thinking about myself recently, I believe I am on the slow end of the scale when it comes to adapting to changes which affect my habits and routines.   While I am not 100% sure why I am like this, a part of the answer lies with why people stick to habits and routines. 

For some, habits and routines bring a sense of comfort and familiarity during stressful times.  With the uncertainty with the economy, jobs and other things in recent years, having something to fall back to is a great benefit to many. 

Alas, for the slow changers like me, getting your habits and routines disrupted can be disconcerting.   I've had that happen before and trying to get back to a normal routing sometimes can be a challenge.  This made me think that I need to open myself more to change and be more adaptable.  

How to do that?  That is the $64,000 question.  If anyone had any answers, let me know!