Blog Summary #2

BECOMING LEISURE EDUCATED AND A LEISURE EDUCATOR

In my first blog we can see evidence of becoming leisure educated by understanding the constraint of time as a barrier towards blogging. This is seemingly blocking my leisure experience because it provides more extrinsic rather than intrinsic motivation and a lack of perceived freedom from my perspective of my leisure (or non-leisure) experience. Although I do understand why and how blogging can be a positive by the use of self-reflection.

Also, in my first blog there is evidence of becoming leisure educated through the understanding that leisure is individually based. I described how my experience with blogging is one that I don't consider very leisure-like, however understand that others may see it as so. 

In my second blog there is evidence of becoming leisure educated and a leisure educator. It is apparent that learning about others and learning from others when it comes to coaching has allowed myself to understand why I sometimes experience and don't experience leisure all the time. It also implies learning why the constituents of our football program may not be experiencing positive, intrinsically motivating leisure within this program. As technical director it is even my "job" to make sure that these volunteers are providing the necessary environment and situations for these leisure experiences to occur.

LEISURE VALUES BASED ON LANGUAGE

If there is one theme of my two blog entries it is the use of the words "positive, intrinsically motivated experiences". This demonstrates my positive view of leisure. In fact, it is the goal I apparently am looking to achieve and am looking to provide for others. Apparently it is the foundation for leisure from my perspective.

I go on to use the words flow and optimal arousal as examples of these experiences that I am looking to provide and achieve. If we don't have these feelings I find it very difficult to experience or provide the same experiences I wish to have. For example I have used words such as stimulation, provide, improve to achieve these experiences as well. Even a word such as delayed gratification has come about in explaining the fact that leisure isn't going to occur all the time or over a given amount of time (through the example of the woman at the dance (Blog #1). 

One key sentence that I feel is the most important in how I value leisure is the following: minds and heart of people... is key.

This zooms directly on the Head, Heart, and Hands concept as discussed in class. I am very much a Hands and Heart type of person that believes through emotions and the potential of providing positive experiences within a given activity outplays the so-called logic that may surround certain ideas and potential programs to be provided. I believe the potential of providing and enjoying positive, intrinsically motivating experiences and the potential of creating long-lasting, positive relationship can always outweigh the logical perspective. This is comprehensible to me since we all leisure differently, doing different things, and experiencing these different things (activities) differently. In the end we don't really look at the logic of it all, we look at how we felt, and how we did it in order for us to feel it and do it again.

Enjoying My Leisure

Is there life without what we call leisure? I don't think so.

Without leisure how do we enjoy ourselves? The concepts of flow and optimal arousal have been demonstrated as being key to enjoying positive experiences. This has become a part of me through my involvement within the Verdun Minor Football Association. 

I had the opportunity to play 7 seasons as a young buck in Verdun. They were some of  the best times of my life. This recreational activity provided me with so many feelings of motivation, fun, excitement, and even disappointment which have allowed me to learn to be a coach and technical director of this program.

Providing this program and coaching the youngsters of this borough has become a part of me. My self-definition prides upon it. While walking through the streets of Verdun, it's almost impossible to get away from someone calling me coach on my way and asking how things are going with football. Besides my school life, it is probably the most important part of my life.

Tonight I have a meeting with one of our teams to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the coaching staff and ways that we can improve our program. Getting into the minds and hearts of these people is key in providing a worthwhile program for these young kids. If our program providers and coaches cannot provide positive, leisure experiences for these young players, our program would not exist. It has become a goal and motivation in my life to help and help others provide these positive experiences through the sport of football.

The friendships I have built by being a part of this adventure are very important to me. I don't know how I would live without them and their hard work throughout the season and off-season. Volunteerism is something that is underrated and under-appreciated. However, it is the volunteers that will provide the positive experiences for these kids. It is the volunteers that will give up their time doing other things to make sure that this is the case.

Tonight is a night of leisure education at this meeting. Learning from each other on how to provide an enjoyable, worthwhile environment and experience is leisure education. Discussing the whys and the why nots of what we do or should improve upon will only make us stronger in providing leisure experiences. It will also help these coaches who are volunteering to have fun as well.

Winning isn't everything unless winning means we provide these kids with coaches that are football educated, relationship-oriented, and leisure educated because without these three things what's the point?

It is not always easy because we are dealing with ever-changing youth during an entire season. As they change we have to change as program providers. We must adapt to situations and personalities. We must realize that if they aren't enjoying themselves then how can we. Leisure education plays a big role in my life. This will most likely stay constant and be significant part of it.

As I continue to educate myself about leisure and as I move forward in being an effective leisure educator, I will be able to look back and see where I learned the most through my own experiences and it will probably be through the experiences now... until things change.