Rule 32

The end of the semester is in sight and we are all looking forward as that mythical last day of classes draw nearer and nearer. Now before we go any farther I want to warn you, I may have accidentally put a positive message into this post. I don’t know how that happened. Now we all know, the long semester and tennis season can wear anyone down, and It’s been a long time since classes and practice began back in January. Even I get worn out at times and my studying and playing days are behind me. It’s during these times that I try and remember a positive piece of advice I heard a few years back, one which I will now pass on to you. This advice comes from that movie with many philosophical implications: Zombieland.

Woody Harrelson is my Socrates

Amongst all the zombie killing and twinkie hunting we are presented with rules to live by and rule #32 actually has some gravitas to it. Rule #32 is “enjoy the little things.” It’s something so simple but can be incredibly helpful when faced with the end of a long semester that can wear everyone down to some degree. Let’s face it, when we’re feeling a little burned out or worn down, we tend to look for other things to confirm our thinking. I know I do this, “Man, I’m on court from 10 to noon, have practice from 3-6, then have 2 lessons, and on top of all that I have offseason workouts this morning at 6am!”

It’s not just with tennis, we do it with just about everything. Anyone who has ever gone to school knows the feeling of waking up Tuesday morning and realizing you have an upcoming test on Thursday, a paper due over Angola on Wednesday, and a lab practical on Friday;  and between practice and chapter meeting there is no way you’re getting all that done unless you go sleepless for 4 days! Once it’s over you realize that chugging those 4 Red Bulls after dropping $30 at Starbucks wasn’t the best idea ever. Turns out, that paper was pretty easy to write once you really started it, the test and practical were tough but not impossible, and your coaches were more than willing to help with any scheduling problems. We look for other things to pile on ourselves to justify that feeling of encroaching doom. This doesn’t always happen consciously but it’s as if our minds are saying, “I have a test and a paper to write, let’s see if we can find any other crap to throw on this pile and make myself miserable.”

I'm sad

I was having what you may call a bit of a low point the other day during my workout. My arms felt like someone had injected lead into them and then proceeded to beat me with my own dense, leaded arms. Being a positive person I started looking for the good in everything and instantly became thankful for all I have……………………Sorry, my finger got stuck on the period button because I was laughing so much. Of course I didn’t do that! I immediately started looking for everything in my day that may construed as just a little bit tough, “My life is so difficult!” In order to really delve into my self wallowing I took a minute break from lifting weights and walked over to the TV. While standing there I saw one of those State Farm commercials where the actors sing a little jingle and an agent shows up like magic a genie who will fulfill all your needs (for a nominal fee and an increase in your deductible I’m sure).  This commercial involved 3 guys sitting in their room and serendipitously being granted a sandwich, the girl from 4E...

And can I get a hot tub!!!

I can’t tell you how much I love this commercial! That part at the end where they ask for a hot tub never gets old to me. This commercial reminded to enjoy the little things – like a random commercial I find funny – and I went back and finished my workout, the same workout that 5 minutes earlier I had thought about quitting.

Before writing this I went to lunch in the school cafeteria. It was the standard fare of food, nothing to really get excited about. That is until I saw the chicken tortilla soup! Chicken tortilla soup! Yep, it’s gonna be a good day, especially if you remember: