See The World

 

“The more you see the world, the less you judge it.” I found this quote on social media but couldn’t find out where it originated. But I like it.

I mentioned in a recent column about how awesome I found the World Cup to be. Same thing about the Tour de France. I also mentioned how incredibly fortunate I have been to travel for my career.

Many years ago, I got involved with my professional associations, more significantly with the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy. These have provided me with opportunities and opened doors for me that this small-town boy of humble origins could never have imagined.

I was a sophomore in college when I had knee surgery and met my first physical therapist, Dr. Ray Patterson. As I have done a thousand times, Ray asked me what my major was. I told him it was Wildlife Biology but that I was changing majors and trying to decide whether I wanted to be a doctor or a football coach.

He said “great, you’re gonna be a physical therapist.” I had no idea how fortuitous that conversation would turn out to be. It has led to a career that has been perfect for me.

I’ll not bore you with a list of all the things I’ve done and places I’ve been. It’s almost surreal. I still get goosebumps flying into our nation’s Capital. The Rockies from above, the Caribbean from below—it’s all amazing.

And sports have taken me to so many incredible places that I still worry that I have Imposter Syndrome—that I don’t really deserve to be in that arena.

Maybe I’m just getting more reflective (isn’t that what old people are supposed to do?), but I’ve met so many incredible athletes along the way. Evander Holyfield. George Hincappie. Dikembe Mutombo. David Robinson.

I remember the children’s church song—“red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight….”

I’ve seen all colors, learned a few words of several languages, met people very different from me in so many ways, and I’ve come to several conclusions.

People are the same wherever you go. They want the same things. They want to live long and prosper. They want their kids to be healthy and happy, and to be more, do more, accomplish more, than they did themselves.

Right now, at this moment, a dad somewhere is throwing a ball with his daughter.  A mom is dropping her son off at swim practice.

Maybe they coach a team. Or just bring snacks. Maybe they do more chores so that their child can play a sport or pursue a dream. But they are there for their kids. Always. Providing opportunities. Opening doors. Letting them see the world, not just one corner of it.

Mom and Dad, that’s your job.