Jump . . . It’s Basketball Time

 

The Experience

I’ve always enjoyed watching basketball games. Not that I’m a loyal fan of any particular team, I just like the constant action of the game. There is always something exciting going on, something to cheer for as I watch. Usually if I watch a basketball game it is on the television. This week, I found a basketball game to go to. A local basketball sports association was having a tournament at a nearby high school and I decided this would be my “try something new” for Walk Lightly Smile Often this week.

As I arrived at the afternoon game, I was pleasantly surprised to find out there was no cost to attend this game. That scored a bonus point for me. Free basketball entertainment, what more could you ask for. Walking in to the event I was able to find the perfect seat near one of the baskets. Since I didn’t know either of the teams playing it didn’t really matter where I sat or who I cheered for (I actually found myself cheering for both teams when they did well).

These basketball teams were comprised of teenage boys. And let me tell you, those boys on those teams were each determined to win. They were focused, hustled, and went all out in order to raise their team to victory. It was a great game to watch. The score was constantly changing with one team ahead by a point, then the other team would score two points. It was very exciting!

Great job to both teams!

The Thoughts

The word that comes to my mind when I think about my experience is enjoyable. And don’t we all need more enjoyment in our lives.

I was not sure what to expect from this game when I sat down to watch it and I was pleasantly surprised. I got wrapped up in the close scores, the diving for the ball, the three point shots, etc. Certainly they were not professional basketball players and I was not a professional fan, but it was a great experience. In fact, I think I probably enjoyed it a bit more because of their “do whatever it takes to win” attitudes.

Entertainment these days can be quite costly, especially professional sports events when you are buying tickets for a whole family. Today my family and I saw an awesome game and it didn’t cost us one cent. I think that is fantastic. How about you? Free entertainment at its best! I am also confident in saying, I’m sure the sports teams liked having a few more people in their audience to cheer them on (especially me since I was cheering for both teams) J

The Question

Do you have any local youth sports teams in your area? How about venturing out of your normal entertainment realm and attend one of their events? Chances are you may have several types of sporting events to choose from. Call a school or sports organization and ask them for a schedule of their events. Give it a try and tell me about your experience!

What Does a Cookie Say?

The Experience

Do you smell it? Take a deep breath and maybe you will (I can wish that someday technology will allow us to smell through the internet). You’re probably wondering what I am talking about. Well, it’s the unmistakable scent of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven. That is what my home smelled like today. This week’s journey brings us to making chocolate chip cookies from scratch for family and friends. Are you ready to do some baking?

It’s been a while since I’ve made chocolate chip cookies from scratch. I must say knowing I had a purpose for baking cookies this time gave me a whole new perspective on the experience. I gathered up all of the ingredients and placed them in a mixing bowl. Yes, you read that right. I have a recipe that I found on the back of a store brand bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips many years ago and it has you place all the ingredients in the bowl at the same time and mix. It works great and saves time! After the mixing was done, I placed them on cookie trays and baked them. When all the cookies finished baking I had about 5 dozen cookies.

As the cookies cooled I prepared to put some on a serving plate for my family. Then I bagged some up to give to unexpecting friends. Over the course of the day I encountered a couple of friends and gave them some bagged cookies. One friend was so pleased, she even commented on how they were still warm. I told her they were fresh from the oven. By day two, all of the chocolate chip cookies had disappeared. My family and friends, those near and dear to me, enjoyed the cookies I made.

The Thoughts

As long as I can remember, homemade chocolate chip cookies represent love and happiness. My mom use to bake dozens and dozens of cookies at a time. Our house was always filled with fresh, soft cookies. When our friends and family would come to visit, you could guarantee the cookies container would soon be empty. The best cookies in the world . . . those were my mom’s cookies!

As teenagers, my brother’s friends would stop by to say “Hi” and wait patiently to be offered a cookie. Then they would visit a little while and when they were about to leave my mom would tell them to take some cookies. Do you think these growing boys would turn down an invitation like that?No way! They would leave with a half a dozen cookies in each hand. My mom loved seeing the pleasure her cookies gave others. She was always busy baking and refilling her cookie container.

My experience with making and giving cookies this week touched upon those same feelings I believe my mom experienced through her years of baking. Sure I’ve made a lot of cookies through my life, but this time was different. From the start, it wasn’t about making cookies for me to enjoy. It was about doing something that would make those I care about feel loved and happy. Yes, a simple chocolate chip cookie can bring love and happiness to lives.

These days we are so wrapped up in meeting our deadlines, our needs, and our wants. We don’t mean to seem self-centered, we are usually just trying to take care of “things.” The cookies gave me an opportunity to do something with the focus of others, not myself. Sure enough this refreshed my soul and put a smile on my face. It really is great to surprise others, even with chocolate chip cookies. After all, the cookies says, “I was thinking about you and I love you.”

The Question

Ready to do some baking? Chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal, or sugar cookies, what sounds good to you? Maybe you’re not able to do the baking at this time, how about some store bought cookies? Whichever you decide upon, focus your attention on your ability to give to others something that will make them happy and feel loved. The simple expressions of love can touch lives in deep ways. Share with me what you baked and who the lucky recipients were.