I just came home from the third meeting of a new group for Pagan women here in Maine: The Red Temple. It was started by a friend who decided to invite a diverse group of women to get together each month on the new moon. We gather for conversation, group projects, and (of course) snacks.
I love being involved in a women-only spiritual group like this! I met some wonderful new women tonight, and was delighted to catch up with a woman who had been in a 6-week class with me last spring. The meetings are set up so that you can attend when it's convenient, and there's no problem missing a meeting if that day doesn't work for you. The meeting is held on whatever day the new moon happens to fall on; I love having it based on the lunar cycle rather than an arbitrary day of the week (which might be a day when some women have ongoing commitments to another activity).
Our founder and hostess is thoughtful and kind, and she always has interesting questions to spark discussion. The women are wise and funny and willing to share themselves and their stories. Sometimes we do art projects together, or meditations, or just sit and talk (and laugh). I've learned something new at each of the meetings, and am able to share information that I've encountered on my path. One of the new women found us online as she was seeking for local Pagans, and it was cool to see her taking in the vibes.
I'm thankful to be part of this new group, and I hope it will flourish!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Original Bliss
I attended the fall meeting of the MPCA today. One of the things we talked about was the need for the leaders of groups and rituals to be responsible for the well being of all the participants. The discussion was sparked by the events at a sweat lodge in Arizona last month, where two participants died and several others were injured. We wondered how to help raise awareness of the responsibilities of clergy. I volunteered to write an article for the MPCA website; it will include a list of questions for Pagan clergy to reflect upon as they plan an event or start a new group. We’ll also, thanks to another member of the community, provide links to other useful resources.
As part of our conversation, we talked about the differences between Pagan religion and New Age spirituality. As it happens, I’ve written an article about the similarities between the two, which I’ve posted here. To me, the most obvious similarity is the impulse to explore a personal, individualized spirituality, rather than adhere to religious dogma.
In exploring the differences, though, Pagan scholar and author Michael York was cited at the meeting. He apparently (I’ve yet to read his work) divides religions into four groups: Abrahamic (Christians, Jews, Muslims, etc.), dharmic (Buddhists, Hindus, etc.), secular (which would include New Age philosophies), and Pagan. The difference between Pagans and those in the other categories, according to York, is that we don’t believe in the idea of original sin, or that there’s anything inherently wrong with creation.
That gave me some food for thought, and explains in part why I’ve long considered myself a Pagan who studies Buddhism and New Age practices (among other things). I believe that everything is as it should be. We are, of course, capable of self-improvement and aspiring to create more positive experiences for ourselves and others. But I don’t think there is anything wrong with being ourselves and living our lives on this planet/plane of existence. We don’t need to be saved from ourselves or from evil forces.
I don’t buy into the concept of “sin.” The challenges that we face and the actions we may take that we later view as “mistakes” will help us learn new lessons and become more complex beings. We humans have a natural impulse to learn and grow. We are, at the deepest levels, full of hope and joy and love. Yes, it may be buried under despair and rage and hatred. Yet even the darkest lessons, I feel, can inspire us to change, to reach out, to open ourselves to the beautiful Universe that surrounds and suffuses us. Instead of original sin, how about original bliss?
As part of our conversation, we talked about the differences between Pagan religion and New Age spirituality. As it happens, I’ve written an article about the similarities between the two, which I’ve posted here. To me, the most obvious similarity is the impulse to explore a personal, individualized spirituality, rather than adhere to religious dogma.
In exploring the differences, though, Pagan scholar and author Michael York was cited at the meeting. He apparently (I’ve yet to read his work) divides religions into four groups: Abrahamic (Christians, Jews, Muslims, etc.), dharmic (Buddhists, Hindus, etc.), secular (which would include New Age philosophies), and Pagan. The difference between Pagans and those in the other categories, according to York, is that we don’t believe in the idea of original sin, or that there’s anything inherently wrong with creation.
That gave me some food for thought, and explains in part why I’ve long considered myself a Pagan who studies Buddhism and New Age practices (among other things). I believe that everything is as it should be. We are, of course, capable of self-improvement and aspiring to create more positive experiences for ourselves and others. But I don’t think there is anything wrong with being ourselves and living our lives on this planet/plane of existence. We don’t need to be saved from ourselves or from evil forces.
I don’t buy into the concept of “sin.” The challenges that we face and the actions we may take that we later view as “mistakes” will help us learn new lessons and become more complex beings. We humans have a natural impulse to learn and grow. We are, at the deepest levels, full of hope and joy and love. Yes, it may be buried under despair and rage and hatred. Yet even the darkest lessons, I feel, can inspire us to change, to reach out, to open ourselves to the beautiful Universe that surrounds and suffuses us. Instead of original sin, how about original bliss?
Saturday, November 14, 2009
My Creative Process
Throughout the course of any given day, I’m busily cooking up creative ideas. It happens spontaneously in the course of living my life. The ideas are often related to writing, which is my primary art form, but aren’t limited to that milieu. Some drift by, perhaps never to be recalled. The ones I find particularly cool I’ll jot down for (possible) later use. Other ideas will insist that I do something with them on the sooner side. This method of inspiration works better for me than trying to do it the other way around (deciding to write an article and then deliberately figuring out what it’ll be about).
Usually when I write a short article, essay or blog entry, it’s something I’ve started thinking about a day or so before putting pen to paper. Then I’ll sit down with an actual pen and my journal or a pad of paper, and write down what I’ve come up with so far. Sometimes I’ll start by jotting a list of things I want to include, and other times I’ll just start writing the article.
When I type the article up, that becomes the first edit. I’ll change words, correct my sentence structure, and sometimes add or cut phrases or sentences. I’ll often flesh out the examples I’m using, or paint a more colorful picture of what I’m describing.
The second edit comes when I have my writing partner, BlackLion, take a look at the article. We work well together. He’ll make suggestions, remove commas (I tend to be liberal with them, which I blame on my career in radio), and generally do a final cleanup. Then it’s pretty much ready to publish.
If I’m working on a longer article or paper, I get a bit more formal. I’ll take notes over a period of several days, then use them to create an outline. The writing might happen over a period of a few days (or at least separate sessions on the same day), and I’ll incorporate research as needed. Again, I usually like to use paper and pen first, before heading to the computer. Something about the tangible act of writing, of feeling the pen in my hand and seeing the words flow onto the paper, helps me to focus on the subject at hand.
I’ll type the article up, then walk away from it for a while. A second or third session of editing will happen before I’m ready to show it to BlackLion. And with a longer piece, I’ll often go back to it yet again after he’s made his changes and suggestions.
I feel blessed with an abundance of ideas, but sometimes the follow-through is a bit shaky. Sometimes things I write will be started but then abandoned, or at least left alone to hibernate. I write primarily non-fiction. I do have the impulse to write fiction now and then, and have started many stories and novels, but for some reason I haven’t (yet) finished any of them. When the time is right, I’m sure they will come to fruition. My poems have a mind of their own; I only write them when I feel inspired in the moment, and then I’m capturing them as a whole entity. Very little editing happens with my poetry (at least the poems worth keeping).
My creative process is a lot of fun! I love sharing ideas and thoughts with others in this form. I can see my writing improving over time, and I’m thankful to be practicing my chosen craft. My daily journal keeps me in the writing mode even when I’m not working on a particular project. My next big goal is to have a book published. Wish me luck…and skill!
Usually when I write a short article, essay or blog entry, it’s something I’ve started thinking about a day or so before putting pen to paper. Then I’ll sit down with an actual pen and my journal or a pad of paper, and write down what I’ve come up with so far. Sometimes I’ll start by jotting a list of things I want to include, and other times I’ll just start writing the article.
When I type the article up, that becomes the first edit. I’ll change words, correct my sentence structure, and sometimes add or cut phrases or sentences. I’ll often flesh out the examples I’m using, or paint a more colorful picture of what I’m describing.
The second edit comes when I have my writing partner, BlackLion, take a look at the article. We work well together. He’ll make suggestions, remove commas (I tend to be liberal with them, which I blame on my career in radio), and generally do a final cleanup. Then it’s pretty much ready to publish.
If I’m working on a longer article or paper, I get a bit more formal. I’ll take notes over a period of several days, then use them to create an outline. The writing might happen over a period of a few days (or at least separate sessions on the same day), and I’ll incorporate research as needed. Again, I usually like to use paper and pen first, before heading to the computer. Something about the tangible act of writing, of feeling the pen in my hand and seeing the words flow onto the paper, helps me to focus on the subject at hand.
I’ll type the article up, then walk away from it for a while. A second or third session of editing will happen before I’m ready to show it to BlackLion. And with a longer piece, I’ll often go back to it yet again after he’s made his changes and suggestions.
I feel blessed with an abundance of ideas, but sometimes the follow-through is a bit shaky. Sometimes things I write will be started but then abandoned, or at least left alone to hibernate. I write primarily non-fiction. I do have the impulse to write fiction now and then, and have started many stories and novels, but for some reason I haven’t (yet) finished any of them. When the time is right, I’m sure they will come to fruition. My poems have a mind of their own; I only write them when I feel inspired in the moment, and then I’m capturing them as a whole entity. Very little editing happens with my poetry (at least the poems worth keeping).
My creative process is a lot of fun! I love sharing ideas and thoughts with others in this form. I can see my writing improving over time, and I’m thankful to be practicing my chosen craft. My daily journal keeps me in the writing mode even when I’m not working on a particular project. My next big goal is to have a book published. Wish me luck…and skill!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Why Worry?
It seems to be part of our human nature to worry. In my opinion, it’s largely a waste of time and energy. If we’re creating more of what we focus on, then why manifest these unpleasant thoughts in our experience? However, “don’t worry, be happy” is much easier said than done.
This Samhain I decided to release my worries. How? When those thoughts arise, as they inevitably seem to do, I stop and notice that I’m worrying. That’s perhaps the most important step. Then, instead of allowing the thought to spin off into further upsetting thoughts and scary scenarios, I use mindfulness to let it go. The practice of mindfulness meditation, as I understand it, involves being fully present in the “now” and releasing any attachment to our transitory thoughts and feelings. If I’m truly present in this moment, then there is no space for “what will happen if…” daydreams. Not that I’m disparaging daydreaming in general, but most of us don’t enjoy the ones that leave our teeth clenched and brows furrowed.
One of my yoga teachers, when instructing her class in meditation, asked us to picture our thoughts as clouds floating by. When you notice one of them, she told us, simply tell it “thanks for sharing!” (which she said in an upbeat, pleasant voice) and then return to a focus on the breath.
These techniques will help you worry less, especially if you practice them when you’re already in a fairly relaxed state, like after exercising or before you go to sleep. That way, when something in your life triggers a worried state, you’ll have new tools in place to help you quickly emerge from it.
Even if you’re normally pretty calm, sometimes you’ll find yourself, for whatever reason (too much caffeine or sugar, PMS, lack of sleep), in a particularly worried mode. Worry can build up over time if you let it, and when these thoughts start to prevail, worrying becomes a habit. That’s why I decided to “kick the habit.”
What’s helped me most is realizing that there is a difference between the worried thought and my true self. I am not my thoughts, and I have no need to be attached to them. In fact, deliberately putting space between “me” and “a thought” has been quite freeing. That seemingly simple moment of recognizing the separation is key. A feeling of pressure lifts away, and I release a big sigh. Then I’m able to move on to more positive thoughts, to take joy in what I’m doing in that moment, and perhaps even to find a proactive solution to the perceived problem.
This Samhain I decided to release my worries. How? When those thoughts arise, as they inevitably seem to do, I stop and notice that I’m worrying. That’s perhaps the most important step. Then, instead of allowing the thought to spin off into further upsetting thoughts and scary scenarios, I use mindfulness to let it go. The practice of mindfulness meditation, as I understand it, involves being fully present in the “now” and releasing any attachment to our transitory thoughts and feelings. If I’m truly present in this moment, then there is no space for “what will happen if…” daydreams. Not that I’m disparaging daydreaming in general, but most of us don’t enjoy the ones that leave our teeth clenched and brows furrowed.
One of my yoga teachers, when instructing her class in meditation, asked us to picture our thoughts as clouds floating by. When you notice one of them, she told us, simply tell it “thanks for sharing!” (which she said in an upbeat, pleasant voice) and then return to a focus on the breath.
These techniques will help you worry less, especially if you practice them when you’re already in a fairly relaxed state, like after exercising or before you go to sleep. That way, when something in your life triggers a worried state, you’ll have new tools in place to help you quickly emerge from it.
Even if you’re normally pretty calm, sometimes you’ll find yourself, for whatever reason (too much caffeine or sugar, PMS, lack of sleep), in a particularly worried mode. Worry can build up over time if you let it, and when these thoughts start to prevail, worrying becomes a habit. That’s why I decided to “kick the habit.”
What’s helped me most is realizing that there is a difference between the worried thought and my true self. I am not my thoughts, and I have no need to be attached to them. In fact, deliberately putting space between “me” and “a thought” has been quite freeing. That seemingly simple moment of recognizing the separation is key. A feeling of pressure lifts away, and I release a big sigh. Then I’m able to move on to more positive thoughts, to take joy in what I’m doing in that moment, and perhaps even to find a proactive solution to the perceived problem.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Self-Reliance
Each time someone asks Abraham a question about a relationship or job, or anything that has to do with another person's actions or beliefs, the reply is the same: the only thing you can change is your own vibration.
On one occasion, Abraham replied to a questioner about her partner, who wanted a divorce. Their answer, which did contain helpful suggestions on how the woman could change her vibration, noted something that seemed a bit cold: that the man in question was "irrelevant." They were trying to convey the idea that the woman holds her own concept of her ideal partner, and ultimately, whether her former husband chose to return to the relationship, or she found a new partner, didn’t matter. She was told to focus on becoming a self-reliant and positive individual, and then the right love interest would show up in her life.
On an abstract level, it is a lovely concept: souls that are doing their spiritual work and have found a way to let their lights shine will naturally come together and share that joy. Yet in a daily life setting, being mindful of compassion and love, how do we find our self-reliance and still be in healthy relationship with our loved ones?
I don’t care to think of my family members as “irrelevant.” They are important to me, and I care deeply about their well-being. Yet I’m learning recently about self-reliance, and discovering that I am the only one who can create my experience.
For example, in the realm of finances, I’m a stay-at-home Mom, and I’ve been relying on others to pay my expenses. This has been a recent source of stress, particularly when things don’t go as planned. So I decided to take charge of my own prosperity. Not only through physical action, such as finding paid work, although that is certainly a part of it. But also in the realm of changing my vibration and being more positive. I practice gratitude for that which I enjoy: a warm home, good food to eat, books, my laptop. I work toward feeling more abundant.
Yet in this process, I realize there is a certain reliance on others once again: namely, the people who employ me and my family members. Another layer to peel away. We can’t “count on” these sources. My thoughts continue to ripple outward, and once again, the answers I receive are abstract.
I rely on and have faith in the Universe to bring me that which I want and need. A good belief, but how does it manifest in actual practice? If the only thing we can rely on is our own individual vibration, how does that translate to daily action? We are out there on the edge, balancing on the vibration we’re creating in the moment. Surfing the waves of the Universe, as it were. Again, I like the concept, but my earthy self, used to a reality made up of tangible things (grocery shopping, electric bills, a furnace to fuel), balks at the perceived precariousness of such a position. As a friend of mine queried, “how do you make a budget when you’re in the process of creating unexpected funds from unknown sources?”
As you can probably tell, I haven’t found my own answers yet. I’m exploring the complex dance between self-reliance and living in a family and community setting. Part of it, I think, is being open to constant changes. If some money I’ve been expecting doesn’t show up, I’m learning to go with the flow rather than letting myself worry or panic. In the same way, I’m being open to unexpected resources. I want to be proactive and joyful in my exploring of options. Mike Dooley calls this “knocking on doors.” I have faith and will also take action.
I’m also practicing being actively grateful for everything I experience. I’m reading a tale of the Buddha’s life, and he was a very thankful person. He relied on offerings of food to feed himself and over 1,000 disciples. He offered his thanks at every meal. And guess what? Buddha and his monks were always well fed.
On one occasion, Abraham replied to a questioner about her partner, who wanted a divorce. Their answer, which did contain helpful suggestions on how the woman could change her vibration, noted something that seemed a bit cold: that the man in question was "irrelevant." They were trying to convey the idea that the woman holds her own concept of her ideal partner, and ultimately, whether her former husband chose to return to the relationship, or she found a new partner, didn’t matter. She was told to focus on becoming a self-reliant and positive individual, and then the right love interest would show up in her life.
On an abstract level, it is a lovely concept: souls that are doing their spiritual work and have found a way to let their lights shine will naturally come together and share that joy. Yet in a daily life setting, being mindful of compassion and love, how do we find our self-reliance and still be in healthy relationship with our loved ones?
I don’t care to think of my family members as “irrelevant.” They are important to me, and I care deeply about their well-being. Yet I’m learning recently about self-reliance, and discovering that I am the only one who can create my experience.
For example, in the realm of finances, I’m a stay-at-home Mom, and I’ve been relying on others to pay my expenses. This has been a recent source of stress, particularly when things don’t go as planned. So I decided to take charge of my own prosperity. Not only through physical action, such as finding paid work, although that is certainly a part of it. But also in the realm of changing my vibration and being more positive. I practice gratitude for that which I enjoy: a warm home, good food to eat, books, my laptop. I work toward feeling more abundant.
Yet in this process, I realize there is a certain reliance on others once again: namely, the people who employ me and my family members. Another layer to peel away. We can’t “count on” these sources. My thoughts continue to ripple outward, and once again, the answers I receive are abstract.
I rely on and have faith in the Universe to bring me that which I want and need. A good belief, but how does it manifest in actual practice? If the only thing we can rely on is our own individual vibration, how does that translate to daily action? We are out there on the edge, balancing on the vibration we’re creating in the moment. Surfing the waves of the Universe, as it were. Again, I like the concept, but my earthy self, used to a reality made up of tangible things (grocery shopping, electric bills, a furnace to fuel), balks at the perceived precariousness of such a position. As a friend of mine queried, “how do you make a budget when you’re in the process of creating unexpected funds from unknown sources?”
As you can probably tell, I haven’t found my own answers yet. I’m exploring the complex dance between self-reliance and living in a family and community setting. Part of it, I think, is being open to constant changes. If some money I’ve been expecting doesn’t show up, I’m learning to go with the flow rather than letting myself worry or panic. In the same way, I’m being open to unexpected resources. I want to be proactive and joyful in my exploring of options. Mike Dooley calls this “knocking on doors.” I have faith and will also take action.
I’m also practicing being actively grateful for everything I experience. I’m reading a tale of the Buddha’s life, and he was a very thankful person. He relied on offerings of food to feed himself and over 1,000 disciples. He offered his thanks at every meal. And guess what? Buddha and his monks were always well fed.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
It's All Connected
This is the first day of a new “blogging challenge” that BlackLion and I have set up for ourselves. We’ve decided to each write an entry every day. We’re already planning to redesign our website, and have an artist friend working on some cool new graphics for us. The blog challenge idea came out of a conversation and brainstorming session we had yesterday.
I’ve been looking into finding some work that I can do at home, to add to our prosperity. I’d been thinking of it as sort of “separate” from my own callings, like “oh, I can do 10 hours a week and still have time to do my own stuff.” But, after doing some research, what appealed to me most from the options I found was doing… (drum roll) freelance writing. Well, duh! And in thinking about it further, I realized that by taking that path I can have fun, make money, and practice my craft at the same time.
BlackLion and I were talking about ways to reach more people with our ideas and writings and other creations. We want to publish our books, certainly, and we’re working on that – but what else can we do? Rather than trying to fit ourselves into existing categories or niches, we decided to embrace the idea that we both enjoy the “Renaissance Man” approach to life. We have many interests and passions, so what if we use our website as a portal for…everything that appeals to us?
That way we can continue to do what we love, and disseminate it to others who might be interested. We can practice our writing by composing daily updates, share our research on our resources pages, and post pictures of our adventures. Any particular person probably won’t be interested in every item, but I think there are enough freaky folks like us (freaky in their own way, of course) to make it a fun destination.
That in turn will help create awareness about what we do and publicize our books (or CDs, workshops, and other projects). And, ultimately, it’ll help us to make a living doing what we love. It’s all connected!
I’ve been looking into finding some work that I can do at home, to add to our prosperity. I’d been thinking of it as sort of “separate” from my own callings, like “oh, I can do 10 hours a week and still have time to do my own stuff.” But, after doing some research, what appealed to me most from the options I found was doing… (drum roll) freelance writing. Well, duh! And in thinking about it further, I realized that by taking that path I can have fun, make money, and practice my craft at the same time.
BlackLion and I were talking about ways to reach more people with our ideas and writings and other creations. We want to publish our books, certainly, and we’re working on that – but what else can we do? Rather than trying to fit ourselves into existing categories or niches, we decided to embrace the idea that we both enjoy the “Renaissance Man” approach to life. We have many interests and passions, so what if we use our website as a portal for…everything that appeals to us?
That way we can continue to do what we love, and disseminate it to others who might be interested. We can practice our writing by composing daily updates, share our research on our resources pages, and post pictures of our adventures. Any particular person probably won’t be interested in every item, but I think there are enough freaky folks like us (freaky in their own way, of course) to make it a fun destination.
That in turn will help create awareness about what we do and publicize our books (or CDs, workshops, and other projects). And, ultimately, it’ll help us to make a living doing what we love. It’s all connected!
Monday, November 09, 2009
It's List Time - in Fours Again
Things I'm releasing:
worry
fear
sugar
extra weight
Things I'm encouraging:
joy
quiet time
yoga
meditation
Projects I'm working on:
making collage cards
finding some at-home work to increase my prosperity
putting together a Starcat's Corner book of essays
lesson plans for the Maine Wholeschoolers' English class
Things I'm sitting with:
grief
desire for abundance
healthy eating
spirituality
What I'm reading:
Home Education magazine
Old Path, White Clouds by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Wizard of Oz (aloud to the kids)
a novel my Mom's going to give me tonight
worry
fear
sugar
extra weight
Things I'm encouraging:
joy
quiet time
yoga
meditation
Projects I'm working on:
making collage cards
finding some at-home work to increase my prosperity
putting together a Starcat's Corner book of essays
lesson plans for the Maine Wholeschoolers' English class
Things I'm sitting with:
grief
desire for abundance
healthy eating
spirituality
What I'm reading:
Home Education magazine
Old Path, White Clouds by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Wizard of Oz (aloud to the kids)
a novel my Mom's going to give me tonight
Monday, October 05, 2009
Mystick
And independent spirit -
Mystick will be missed.
Our dear young feline friend and companion, Mystick Quickpaw Followcat Shields, has suddenly left the Earth plane. He was born on April 8, 2006, and was killed by a car in the wee hours of Friday, October 2, 2009. Perhaps he's now frolicking with Huzzah in the green fields of the Summerlands.
Mystick was a majestic and elegant tuxedo cat who was the guardian of Whippoorwill Lane. He was the king of the barn, and adopted Aunt Peg into his immediate family. He liked to follow us when we went for walks in the woods. Mystick was an accomplished hunter, and kept the barn and grounds (mostly) free of rodents.
When Mystick came home from one of his many adventures, he always smelled really good - like pine or woodsmoke or flowers, or even chocolate chip cookies. He loved catnip, and playing with his canine friend Star. When he came in, he'd race us up the stairs to get his dinner. He had a beautiful long black tail, and expansive white whiskers. Mystick liked to have the area around his whiskers scratched, but he would let you know when he was done being petted. There are so many things I love about sweet Mystick, but the suddenness of his departure has left me at a loss for words. Instead, I'll let these pictures speak for me.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Supporting Passions
Dryst is a jock. He absolutely loves being active with his body, and especially adores team sports. This despite the fact that neither parent is sports-oriented. I've never had an interest in such pursuits, to the point where I used to avoid anything to do with sports (though watching your own kids play is actually pretty fun). His Dad, while he can talk sports with the guys and is athletic on the hippie end of the spectrum, doesn't really keep up with the local and regional teams, unlike many men his age.
Ever since Dryst's first experience playing soccer on our town's recreational team when he was six, he's wanted to be out there on the field. Since then, he's played soccer, basketball, baseball (which was too slow-moving for him) and lacrosse. His goal is to get a college sports scholarship. A couple of years ago we were told that a three-sport athlete is more valuable to colleges, so he dropped baseball and discovered lacrosse, which he loves.
The past couple of soccer seasons have been disappointing for him. Last year he had good coaches, but our local travel league didn't have enough boys his age, so they ended up playing kids a year older. The size differences alone were significant, and he was discouraged that his team couldn't keep up. This year, there was no local team his age, so he's playing for a neighboring town. But he got put on the second team, since the first team is already full of kids that have been playing together for a while, and he's not being challenged as much as he should.
We recently received some information about a premier team being organized, and that would mean year-round soccer, along with skills training and playing in tournaments. These teams are great for player development, which is what he wants. But they're also a big commitment, in both time and money. He'd be playing or practicing 3 days a week, and we're trying to figure out how he can continue to pursue basketball and lacrosse. Premier leagues generally cost upwards of $1000. for the year, and the team's home base is about a 15 minute drive from our house.
It's important to me to support the kids' passions, and to also be realistic about what they can handle. If he's serious about playing college sports, then this is definitely the time to get more dedicated to his playing, and we're willing to make it work in terms of time and money. Yet having too much on his plate wouldn't be fun...and unschooling is all about enjoying what you do. He could quit if he got tired of it, but he's always been concerned about not letting his team down. That's not something we've overtly taught him, but an ethic he's absorbed by playing team sports over the years. If he commits to this, he'll most likely want to carry it through for the whole year.
I think it's really cool that Dryst found something he's so excited about and loves to do. A passion is a wonderful thing, and we'll help him follow it as far as he wants. And no matter what happens, he's learning and growing as he moves through his experience.
Ever since Dryst's first experience playing soccer on our town's recreational team when he was six, he's wanted to be out there on the field. Since then, he's played soccer, basketball, baseball (which was too slow-moving for him) and lacrosse. His goal is to get a college sports scholarship. A couple of years ago we were told that a three-sport athlete is more valuable to colleges, so he dropped baseball and discovered lacrosse, which he loves.
The past couple of soccer seasons have been disappointing for him. Last year he had good coaches, but our local travel league didn't have enough boys his age, so they ended up playing kids a year older. The size differences alone were significant, and he was discouraged that his team couldn't keep up. This year, there was no local team his age, so he's playing for a neighboring town. But he got put on the second team, since the first team is already full of kids that have been playing together for a while, and he's not being challenged as much as he should.
We recently received some information about a premier team being organized, and that would mean year-round soccer, along with skills training and playing in tournaments. These teams are great for player development, which is what he wants. But they're also a big commitment, in both time and money. He'd be playing or practicing 3 days a week, and we're trying to figure out how he can continue to pursue basketball and lacrosse. Premier leagues generally cost upwards of $1000. for the year, and the team's home base is about a 15 minute drive from our house.
It's important to me to support the kids' passions, and to also be realistic about what they can handle. If he's serious about playing college sports, then this is definitely the time to get more dedicated to his playing, and we're willing to make it work in terms of time and money. Yet having too much on his plate wouldn't be fun...and unschooling is all about enjoying what you do. He could quit if he got tired of it, but he's always been concerned about not letting his team down. That's not something we've overtly taught him, but an ethic he's absorbed by playing team sports over the years. If he commits to this, he'll most likely want to carry it through for the whole year.
I think it's really cool that Dryst found something he's so excited about and loves to do. A passion is a wonderful thing, and we'll help him follow it as far as he wants. And no matter what happens, he's learning and growing as he moves through his experience.
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