Change is.....

As the calendar changes, so begins the season of change weather wise (hopefully).  Gone will be the hot, humid and sometimes unbearable days of summer…and the change will usher in the cooler, crisp autumn/fall  weather.  Hoody’s, jackets and long sleeved shirts will replace the shorts and t-shirts (for most of us anyway…but there’s always a few).  I, for one, am so looking forward to the change.  The ability to sit out on my deck with a fire going, sleeping with the windows open and giving the A/C unit a well-deserved break, and just embracing everything that mother nature has to offer during my favorite of the four seasons, all while continuing my work in progress  journey of becoming the “ better me”.

Another form of change will take place in the transition from officiating volleyball to basketball.  I recently acquired my OHSAA certification to officiate volleyball, and I have been busy blowing the whistle ever since.  I’ve never played volleyball, thus I was a bit hesitant to take the officiating class…but it turned out to be a really good move on my part (thanks Kristin Brooks for encouraging me to get my licenseJ). 

Comparatively speaking, the games/matches are so different from basketball.  Coaches really aren’t permitted to say anything to you as an official (BIG change from basketball…lol), the players are generally more respectful of their game and teams, and some would point blank say it’s easy money!  There are no technical fouls (yellow or red cards are used to “quiet” those that may happen to get out of line).

Analogically speaking, one could compare basketball to summer, and volleyball to autumn/fall.  Why you might ask? Summer can be extremely hot, sometimes causing people to “act a fool” or like they don’t have any sense (I guess that is basically the same huh?...lol). Summer requires the majority of us to shower frequently….those that don’t can be “identified” rather easily (don’t act like you don’t know what I’m saying here…)….same goes for on the basketball court.  Periodically there’s someone out there that one would just LOVE to say “Foul (literally..lol)….Why ref??  “Because you need a shower!!”…..LOL
 
 Volleyball, players very rarely, if at all, say anything to or gesture towards you as an official.  The coaches and 99% of the fans are always polite and calm, similar to the typical autumn/fall days and evenings.

 So as we continue to evolve as individuals:

-Change is good
-Change is inevitable
-Change is constant

Whatever change is taking place ….make sure to embrace and take advantage of the changes that life presents you!