Lessons I learned from street hockey | NJ family photographer

Prologue: I am NOT a sports person.

I've recently discovered that I can rewrite the stories I tell myself about who I am and then work like hell to make it happen.  Such as:

• I have a voice and what I say has value.

• I'm a badass mom and business owner.

• I live a healthy lifestyle and exercise regularly. (This one is a work in progress because I'm pretty sure it requires a break from late-night Netflix. I'm not quite ready to cut that cord.)

But trying to rewrite myself as a person who enjoys playing or watching most sports.  .  .I just can't do it.

So, of course, I married an athlete.  A competitive athlete, who plays two sports.  He's recently fostered an adoration of hockey in our children.  And even though I'm not a sports person, I can't help but watch them all play together.  What I’ve gleaned from observing and photographing their play, I’ve shaped into six LIFE LESSONS for my kids.  

1. Keep your eye on the ball, even when you’re not swinging. 

You never know when an opportunity will present itself.

2. Seek out the right teachers.

Find those amazingly good at what they do and learn from them.

3. Distraction is a part of life.  Take time to refocus.

4. Everyone needs a pick-me-up once in a while. 

Ask for help when needed and remember self-care and compassion.

5. You'll never reach the sun if you don’t take the shot.

Failures are part of the journey.  They declare "I tried."  Which is way better then "I didn't do a damn thing."

And the most important life lesson of all. . .

6. When the carpenter bees are in full force, stay close to the WD-40.

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