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Tag: experience

Coping with COVID: Temporary Dining Changes

Fri, January 7, 2022 Published by

The pandemic taught us the importance of having contingency plans to keep our community whole in a crisis. Of course, the hope is they will never be needed. Yet, Covid combined with a staggering workforce shortage, has brought us to a painful place. As I write this, 19 staff are out with confirmed Covid positives or serious symptoms. In addition, many need to stay home with children who are positive or home due to exposures.

Leave Stress Behind with Mindful Walking

Wed, October 6, 2021 Published by

Ever wish you could leave stress behind? You can, and you don’t have to travel very far to do it.

Perhaps the easiest of all the techniques I teach is mindful walking. Although remarkably simple to do, it’s a very powerful form of walking meditation that can defuse stress within minutes. Mindful walking relaxes the body by channeling anxiety and nervous energy into physical activity and calms the mind by promoting focused awareness. And it’s versatile: You don’t need to put on hiking boots, leave civilization, or climb a mountain to experience this restorative power of walking. You only need a few minutes of time and some room to walk, as long as you’re willing to change your state of mind. The goal is to use walking meditation to gently shift the focus of your attention from worrying about the past or the future, and to focus on what is actually happening in the present moment.


Here is a simple mindful walking exercise you can practice whenever you need it:

  1. While walking, pay attention to your breathing. Use this focus on the breath as an anchor to stabilize your attention.
  2. Next, allow yourself to notice any sights, sounds, or physical sensations that may come up as you walk. Rest your awareness for a moment on that sight, sound, or sensation, then return your awareness to your breathing.
  3. If persistent thoughts distract you from your mindful awareness, simply notice them, then return your awareness to your breathing.

Here is a variation of mindful walking that uses your breathing to consciously connect you to the vast web of life on planet Earth:

  1. As you focus on your breath, following the instructions above, remember that plants release the oxygen that you’re breathing into your lungs, and that, in turn, you breathe out the carbon dioxide that the plants take in.
  2. In your mind’s eye, follow your breath as you exhale. Imagine that you can see the carbon dioxide molecules leaving your nose or mouth and flowing into the leaves on the plants nearest you as you walk.
  3. As you breathe in, envision yourself inhaling the oxygen that the plants are giving off. Picture the trails of oxygen flowing from the trees, grass, flowers and shrubs into your lungs. Take note of how your visualization of this very natural process affects your sense of the world around you.

Gifts from the Garden

Mon, June 14, 2021 Published by

Now is the time every gardener in the Beatitudes Community Garden waits for. Vegetables and fruits are ripening and need picking and distribution.

We need pickers from each of the Campus buildings. It means going to the Garden every other day with a basket and picking ripe vegetables. And bringing them back to the lobby of your residence building. If you need help identifying such veggies, a phone call to experienced gardeners listed below will help you. You will also find guides to picking posted in the Garden.

If you are interested, please call Mike Gilman x17438 or Melissa Frey x18115. We will be happy to meet with you for an orientation.

Melissa and Mike

Our Joy That Hath No End

Sun, April 4, 2021 Published by

A Happy Easter to you all! It was wonderful to join with others in our Campus community at our Campus Easter Sunrise Service this year as we heard and rejoiced in prayer and praise; “Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia! Who did once upon the cross Alleluia! Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!”

Beatitudes Campus Town Hall

Mon, May 13, 2019 Published by

Prior to the Town Hall Meeting, a Celebration of Life was held to honor the memory of Rev. Dr. Culver “Bill” H. Nelson, D.D., LHD, the beloved founder of Beatitudes Campus. Michelle Just, President and CEO, Dosia Carlson and Leroy Calbom spoke of the outstanding leadership, vision and community service that exemplified Dr. Nelson’s life. The Life Center was filled with grateful residents honoring Dr. Nelson with their presence.

David Ragan, Sr. VP of Resident Services, welcomed residents and especially some residents who were attending a Town Hall for the first time. He noted that years ago, when he attended national meetings, Beatitudes Campus was the standard in residential care and Dr. Nelson’s leadership was legendary.

Michelle Just was delighted with Mayor Kate Gallego’s Proclamation stating that May, 2019 is Older Americans Month. The Proclamation explained that President Kennedy recognized seniors 60 years and older in 1963. Beatitudes Campus began in 1965 and was one of the first Senior Independent Living and Health Care Residences in the nation. Beatitudes Campus has served 17,000 older adults since its beginning. The watchwords for Older Americans Month are connect, create and contribute.

During the April 10th meeting, six of the eleven standing committees and three of the six building Senior Representatives reported. Of significant interest: Community Relations reported that the Campus is providing volunteers to Maryland School and five scholarships to Washington High School students; Health and Wellness conducted a seminar “Money Matters” in March, will be doing a workshop in April entitled “Ready, Set and Go”, and have planned a five part program “Behind the Curtain” in July and August; preparations are being made for the Earth Day “Protect” march and program, April 26th.

David Ragan announced that the new battery operated leaf blowers have been ordered and will soon be seen around campus. The gas powered blowers will still be used around the edges of the campus, but responding to the wishes of residents, battery operated blowers will be used in the other areas of the campus and are a worthwhile investment.

David introduced Zack Coronado from the Mobile Valley Physicians group which will be offering an on-site clinic here on Campus, beginning July 1st. Zack explained that the group was established three years ago in the East Valley. Through strategic growth, they now have over 1000 patients and are happy to have the opportunity to show residents the quality of services they provide. For the next 60 days, we will see Zack and his associates around campus explaining the process for registering for the clinic and how it will work. The group has contracts with over 60 insurance companies and can OK your insurance when you provide them with your insurance card. Whether you currently have a physician you are happy with or not, it is advisable to sign up for the Mobile Valley Physicians clinic so that you can use it if you are ill and cannot get an immediate appointment with your own doctor. Mary Rihani, a family nurse practitioner who is board certified in Adult-Gerontology, will be the attending physician in the clinic here on Campus. If you wish, Mary will visit you in your apartment to provide medical services. The Clinic will be located in the Plaza South building where Dr. Mawyer practiced. New patient registration forms for Mobile Valley Physicians can be picked up at the Welcome Center desk.

Gabi Holberg, Assistant Director of I.L., introduced Louis Molina from Unique Lab Services who will be offering blood lab services here on campus. Louis said that his group has contracts with Labcorp and Sonora Quest and is able to take all insurances. The lab will be open from 8:30—9:30AM on Wednesday mornings in the Recreation Center. Bring your lab orders and insurance card to the Clinic. Louis is willing to go to a resident’s apartment after 9:30AM to collect blood if a resident does not want to have it collected in the Recreation Center. Call 480-765-2677 for an in-home visit or for more information. As David quipped—“if you want a nice guy to stick it to you, Louis is the guy.”

Jessica Myer, Director of Success Matters, noted that May is Better Speech and Hearing Month. A handout on tips and tricks for improving your communication with hearing loss is available from the Success Matters office. Jessica said that Mark Pelkey is starting a Hearing Loss and Resource Group. If you are interested in joining this group, contact Mark at x15586. Josephine Levy, Resource Navigator for Success Matters, talked about the Tip of the Month: Living Will vs. Last Will and Testament. She explained that a Living Will is a health care document outlining your wishes for end of life care. A Last Will and Testament is a document that specifies what you want done with your assets (property). Residents should work with an attorney on this document and Josephine can assist you in finding an attorney.

Director of Life Enrichment, Jon Schilling, announced that Adi Muñoz will be the new CAREcorps Volunteer Coordinator and will be transitioning from the Welcome Center to her new position. Didi Cruz, Life Enrichment Specialist, provided residents with a list of the upcoming off campus events. They include a morning outing at the Desert Botanical Garden on Tuesday, May 14th at 9:00AM for a free self-guided tour; tour of the Prisma Printing Company on Friday, May 17th at 9:30AM. Call x12905 to reserve your seat on the bus for these tours and for the lunch outings on Friday, May 24th to IronWorks Restaurant. Didi also announced that the Gaming Connection Debut will take place on Wednesday morning, May 22nd at 10:00AM in the Life Center. For those who play games, this is your opportunity to understand how you will be able to connect with other residents who are playing the games you like to play. Don’t miss out on this awesome new amenity.

Fitness Specialist, Mike Smallwood, discussed a Silver Sneakers article on Sadness vs. Depression. When you are sad, you can usually trace the cause to something going on in your life or maybe a negative memory from the past. With depression, the negative feeling sticks around for a while, most of the day, every day, for weeks at a time. Five ways to start feeling better include, get moving through exercise, meditating, spending time outside in nature, fostering close relationships with friends and family and making daily lists of what you are grateful for. If you experience negative feelings for more than two to four weeks, it is time to talk to your doctor. Mike noted that the “Strictly Strength” class is meeting in the Fitness Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:00AM. Morning and Midday Motions with Mike take place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:30AM, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1PM in Plaza View on the 3rd floor. The Tai Chi Class with Carol-Ann is at 11:00AM on Tuesdays and 11:45AM on Thursdays in the Recreation Center. The Basketball Bounce Game meets every Monday from 1:30 to 2:30PM in Agelink 2. The lucky B-Fit winner for May is Farrell Kenimer.

David reminded residents that anyone utilizing Beatitudes Guest WiFi must use the new password which can be obtained from the Welcome Center. The new password is part of the WiFi hard-wired into resident apartments and does not require residents to make changes to their apartment WiFi. David also reminded residents that the Community Channel has been changed to 1-1. It is still the default when you turn on the TV. Residents may listen to upcoming events that are listed in the Roadrunner by dialing 19756 at any time.

Remember the Hootenanny occurs every Wednesday evening at 5:45PM in the Life Center. It’s free and a great place to bring your friends and enjoy the music. Also, Sundaes with Dave will be on May 15th from 2 to 4PM in the Plaza Bistro. Come enjoy a free yogurt Sundae and chat with David if you have thoughts to share. Again, many thanks to Gregory’s Fresh Market for their service to the Beatitudes and hundreds of people throughout the Valley. Best wishes for a happy and patriotic Memorial Day to all our residents.

The next Town Hall will be on June 5th at 2:00PM in the Life Center. Come and find out what is happening on our vibrant Campus!

A Phoenician Easter

Sun, April 21, 2019 Published by

In our Easter celebrations, we find the truth of that victory in ourselves and the world around us, which sets an undying flame of faith within our hearts. May that flame burn brightly today and always. Alleluia.

Bad For Your Health

Sun, April 7, 2019 Published by

I noticed an article the other day, “In Later years, Your House May be Bad For Your Health.”  Of course I had to read more.  It cited recent results of the first of a five-year study being conducted by Chicago-based Mather Lifeways Institute on Aging and Northwestern University which found that nearly 70% of Life Plan Community (also known as Continuing Care Retirement Community) residents stated that moving into such a community, “somewhat or greatly improved their social wellness.”

We are consistently interested in what distinguishes Beatitudes Campus from other senior living options.  What we experience here seems to track with what the study was finding.  Including more than 5,000 residents in 80 Life Plan Communities across 29 states, the study survey found that residents of the communities (which typically offer independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing in a single location) scored higher across five of six recognized facets of wellness than about 1,000 peer group older adults living in the community at large—including greater emotional, social, physical, intellectual and vocational wellness.

Focusing on just assisted living, a 2018 study of residents in just over 20 communities operated across four states by New Jersey-based Juniper Communities, found that hospitalizations of residents were half that of peer group seniors living at home. Juniper in turn estimated that such reductions are saving Medicare between $4 and $6 million each year and would save between $10 and $15 billion annually if applied across the similar larger population of Medicare beneficiaries.

While both studies are essentially conducted by senior living organizations, they reflect what has been intuitively suggested by not only professionals, but residents within senior communities for years. Specifically, that living within a community setting, with daily access to friends as well as personal health assistance, dining, wellness and social programs, housekeeping, maintenance, and transportation services – may not only improve quality of life for individuals age 75+, but add to it. I hear this from our Ambassadors time and again as they speak to prospects considering Beatitudes Campus as their home.

To be clear, more, longer and larger studies are needed. And there is no industry-wide research indicating all assisted living communities could produce the same health outcomes as Juniper, considered by many to be among the best in the industry. Still, surveys have consistently shown that as high as 90+% of senior housing residents and family members are satisfied with their experience.

Which leads to the question of why approximately 90% of Americans age 75+ are choosing to remain at home. Yes, many are still physically and socially independent, but data suggests more may be able to benefit from the services and care senior living offers than are accessing such communities.

Consider:

Lack of socialization is a major source of depression, with nearly half of women age 75+ living alone. The National Institute of Mental Health has declared depression among older adults a major public health issue.

44% of older adults 75+ report having at least one physical disability that impairs their ability to live independently.

14% of adults age 71+ and 32% of adults age 85+ suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementia.

Drivers age 80+ have the highest rate of fatal crashes per miles driven of any age group.

More than 34 million Americans are serving as unpaid caregivers for an older adult parent, spouse, other relative, friend or neighbor, the majority of whom are age 75+, for an average of 24 hours per week.

Perhaps the largest factors inhibiting utilization of senior housing are cultural and based on stereotyped perception. In the first case, the current “Silent Generation” of older adults (born during the Great Depression) were raised on the idea of putting a roof over their heads and never giving it up, along with an ingrained responsibility to never be a burden on anyone. In the second case, many older adults continue to assume that a senior living community is a place for “old people” and represents the institutional “nursing homes” of yore – even as the studies above indicate otherwise.  Just today, I spoke with a fellow whose mother lives close by in our neighborhood and he remarked how much he knew she would benefit from the “purposeful living” about which we center so much of what we do at Beatitudes.  He will be by soon with her to see the campus and I can’t wait to have her experience what so many of you delight in communicating to our visitors – our mission and philosophy of the campus and the effect on superior senior living!

 

Televeda’s Empowered Living Program

Sun, March 24, 2019 Published by

Make new friends and be the best version of yourself. Anywhere.

If you have walked by the Plaza View Lounge on Saturday afternoons at 2:00, a group of residents creating community with each other would welcome you.  For the past 5 weeks, residents living in Plaza View have had the opportunity to join a program called televeda’s Empowered Living.  This organization’s primary goal is to design solutions that strengthen the relationships of a community, along with their mission statement to design solutions that alleviate social isolation.  We felt this could be a great partnership to develop with them!

I asked televeda’s Co-Founder, Shruti Gurudanti, for a paragraph to share about the program.  She said, televeda’s Empowered Living is a body and brain workout experience that is way more than just your usual exercise class. Empowered Living is a friendly community of people who love to make new friends and keep their body and brain active by playing Jeopardy-style brain games, grooving to old school rock ‘n’ roll, and motivating each other to be the best version of themselves. Members come for the camaraderie and lively atmosphere of the class. Persons of all fitness levels are welcome. And if you don’t feel like exercising, but just want to play the games, you’re more than welcome to join. The class starts out with simple and fun movements inspired by dance, then builds into light breathing exercises, followed by energetic brain games, bringing you a phenomenal socializing experience. The classes encourage and motivate you to defy the odds and answer every challenge with, “Yes, I can do this!” You can attend televeda’s Empowered Living classes in-person at the Lounge area in the Assisted Living building or using your computer, laptop, smart phone, IPad or tablet device right from the comfort of your room. So, if you can’t come to a class for any reason, you can still meet your friends and stay active from wherever you are! Televeda’s Empowered Living program is your opportunity to be inspired, feel euphoric and build friendships that last beyond the class. Televeda’s Empowered Living classes are held every Saturday in the Plaza View Lounge from 2:00 to 3:00PM. Can’t wait to meet you!

Violins of Hope

Sun, March 10, 2019 Published by

Music connects us to one another. Music is the language of the soul. Music knows no boundaries of time or place. Music tells stories about peoples’ triumphs and tragedies. Music can evoke strong feelings, from ecstatic joy to devastating sorrow and all that lies in between.

There are occasions and events that move us beyond what might ever be imagined and leave us wanting to invite others to join us. One such event is Violins of Hope, a concert experience enjoyed by about twenty Beatitudes Campus residents at Central Methodist Church on March 3. Beatitudes Campus resident Cecilia Rolston commented that the event was “so heart-warming and beautiful” and “provides hope.” Others in attendance echoed Cecilia’s comments.

What are the Violins of Hope? These are violins actually played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust, including in the concentration camps. Our residents who attended this concert heard beautiful and powerful music produced by three of those surviving violins played by members of the Downtown Chamber Series. They also heard the story of these instruments as each passed through the horrors of Nazi genocide into the skilled hands of Ammon and Avshi Weinstein who restored each one. Through their restoration project, the Weinstein family gave new voice to the instruments and to all people and generations traumatized by the Holocaust. The violins symbolize the power of music and highlight resilience and hope.

Equally moving at the March 3 concert were the performances by the remarkable young musicians and singers with Rosie’s House (one of the largest completely free music programs in the nation for youth who would otherwise not have such an opportunity). The voices and spirits of youth were also very heartbreaking and hopeful when the Phoenix Girls Chorus sang a Yiddish Lullaby in the opening performances of Violins of Hope on February 23-24. The Phoenix Boys Choir will be singing in a performance on March 24.

Want to Know More About the Violins of Hope Events in March?

On March 19th a Tribute Concert honoring those who perished and those in the Phoenix community who survived the Holocaust. Charlotte Adelman, a Holocaust survivor and friend of the Beatitudes Campus, will be featured at this concert.

Until March 24th, 21 of the violins will be exhibited and the story of each recounted at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts (Free admission).

Until March 26th, a photography exhibit at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center will showcase the work of Ammon Weinstein as he restored each violin.

As you read this article, we hope you are interested in finding out how to attend the Violins of Hope activities, concerts, exhibitions, and lectures throughout the remainder of March. Do visit the main website page for more information or ask a friend to help. It is best to scroll down the page until you reach the section listing all of the March events and click on the event(s) of interest. Here is the website: https://violinsofhopephoenix.com/buy-tickets/events 

Please note that Beatitudes Campus will not be providing transportation to any of the remaining Violins of Hope events.*

Moving to a Life Plan Community

Sun, March 3, 2019 Published by

For many older adults who are currently independent, but like the idea of living in a setting where healthcare services are available if needed down the road, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC also known as a Life Plan Community) can be an ideal solution.

Many Beatitudes Campus prospects ask us, “When is the best time to make the move?” Many of you reading this article remember wrestling with this question yourself.  There is no perfect answer to this question because everyone’s situation will be different. However, waiting too long can mean missing out on some of the very reasons people are attracted to a life plan community in the first place.

We often counsel that if you feel that a continuing care retirement life plan community is right for you, here are a few reasons why you may want to consider moving sooner rather than later:

Involvement: One of the main benefits of living in a community like Beatitudes is having easy access to a vast array of services, amenities and activities. Many of these perks take place within the walls of the community, but we are increasingly providing ways for residents to stay involved in the broader community through service projects, the 19North Neighborhood Association, our Life Long Learning adult education classes, and more. Many of you can well attest to the fact that moving earlier allows residents to more fully enjoy and benefit from these “extra-curricular” activities.  As we talk with those considering the campus, it’s often a story they are eager to hear from you.  We so appreciate our Resident Ambassadors who are so willing to talk about their experiences weighing all the factors……and almost always, it’s about the environment of purposeful living so much a part of the fabric of the campus.  If you are interested in taking the training and becoming an Ambassador, please contact the Marketing Office and see how you can become involved.

Wellness: We strive to help residents stay healthy and live independently as long as possible. Comprehensive health and wellness programs include access to qualified fitness professionals, special diet meal plans, our aquatic and fitness centers, low-impact aerobics, and yoga classes, just to name a few. Additionally, we continue to emphasize a “whole-person” concept, including emotional, spiritual, intellectual, vocational, and spiritual experiences, and have an award-winning Success Matters program which provides the opportunity to assess what makes up your best path to maximize independence.

Relationships: Residents of life plan communities often say that one of the best things about them is the friendships they have formed with other residents. That is absolutely the hallmark of Beatitudes Campus.  Those who wait too long to make the move may not have the time to develop meaningful relationships, which can be particularly helpful as part of a support network if healthcare needs arise in the future.  Again, prospects are very interested in your stories and we will be reaching out and providing opportunities to highlight them in our publications and website in the next few months.

The number of folks considering the campus right now is very high.  We already have 28 of the 34 patio homes that will open beginning in early 2019, committed and several others have placed a hold.  Additionally, we have begun the B V.I.P. Program for the new Promenade Residences to be built on the site of the former Garden Apartments and have more than 40 who have been given priority numbers. And our current living options are seeing more inquiries than at any time in the last four years!

So, with all this activity, do we need your help?  Absolutely!  Our mission is to provide what we believe is the best in purposeful, resident-centered senior living for as many folks as possible.  So, don’t forget the Friends and Family Resident Referral Program which pays you or your family member for successful recommendations of prospects to the campus.  Stop by the Marketing Office for details so we can provide you a referral form.

So, when is the best time to move to the campus?  Many of you would answer with a hardy, “right now!”  This is literally one of the most dynamic times at the campus since its original founding and we are anxious to share the excitement with as many as possible.  Thanks so much for all the many ways you help us every day!  Viva la Beatitudes!*

New Elaine’s Fine Dining Menu Offers Residents More Variety

Sun, January 13, 2019 Published by

We are excited to announce that, on January 31st, we will be migrating to a 52-week menu in Elaine’s Fine Dining to continue our commitment to variety.

Elaine’s format will have new and exciting offerings weekly and will be part of your Roadrunner each Monday. We will have changing options in seafood, appetizer, salad, soup, chicken, pork and others while maintaining our most popular dishes on our weekly menu.

We are very excited to bring this new option to you and, hopefully, you will come to Elaine’s Fine Dining and experience a night out, away from the bustle of our other venues, in a quiet, sophisticated atmosphere providing excellent food and service and featuring a new drink menu to add to the variety.

The Bistro moved to a 52-week menu a couple of months ago and has been very successful in bringing you variety with menu changes on a weekly basis. In the past, we changed our menus twice a year  and added variety by offering multiple specials in each venue. These specials were advertised weekly in the Roadrunner and quickly became the only options you saw in our venues. Many people said to me, “Joe, why do we only have these choices available to us” when indeed, there was an entire menu to choose from on top of the advertised specials. Moving forward, we will create all of our menus on a 52 week menu platform and provide you exceptional variety of choice, not only on the menu selections but make each venue varied and make your choice of where to dine much harder for you. This is a good thing, right?

We look forward to this change as much as you do and cannot wait to hear your reactions about the variety offered in our restaurants.*

We are One in the Body

Sun, July 15, 2018 Published by

Perhaps if you have travelled around the North of England, you may have seen the colossal sculpture pictured with this article. Not many sculptures become as famous as The Angel of the North, seen by an estimated 33 million people as they pass by each year. The Angel looms over the countryside for many miles around, with its 66ft tall body, and with its wingspan of 177ft. Its wings are angled 3.5 degrees forward to express what its sculptor Sir Anthony Gormley, called ‘a sense of embrace’ as he sought to create something ‘to serve as a focus for our evolving hopes and fears’.

Like so much of his work it is based on a cast of his own body. Gormley has said that he bases his work on casts of his own body because, as he put it, ‘it is the closest experience of matter that I will ever have and the only part of the material world that I live inside.’ He treats the body not as an object, but as a place, and in making works that enclose the space of a particular body tries to identify a condition common to all human beings.

We as individuals are embodied. Body, mind and spirit bound up together. The ancient creation narrative in the Book of Genesis pictures us as clay which has been breathed into life.

We now have a much fuller picture of that living clay. According to a generally accepted figure we are made of an astonishing 37.2 trillion cells, with each cell being formed of 100 trillion atoms. Each atom, each cell, busy being itself to combine in every more complex ways to form this being- which is you and me- which can feel and touch, see and hear, recognize right and wrong, and love and pray. No wonder the psalmist was impelled to cry out ‘I will give thanks unto thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well’ (Psalm 139, 13).

Maintaining a sense of awe and wonder in relation to our bodies helps to highlight those times when we fail to respect ourselves as created miracles made in the image of God. When we fail to have that same respect for the other 7.6 billion other walking-talking miracles of creation alive today, because of what they wear, or the color of their skin, or the politics that they ascribe to, then we are led to a very disturbing place indeed. The Apostle Paul put it very bluntly;

‘Do you not know that the body is a temple of the indwelling Holy Spirit?’

What a stark and much needed reminder to honor God in our lives and in the lives of others. May we all be open to the divine embrace as we evolve through our hopes and fears.*

Good Sportsmanship

Sun, July 8, 2018 Published by

You know it when you see it—good sportsmanship.  An example of good sportsmanship went viral last week when Japan suffered a 3-2 defeat in the final minute of injury time against Belgium to end their participation at the World Cup.  A team that was given little chance of advancing in the tournament reached the round of 16 and took a two-goal lead over powerful Belgium, and so the team’s sudden last-second loss left players stunned, fans speechless, and some spectators sobbing.  It was a heart-breaking way to go out but fans and players left a lasting impression of sportsmanship and courtesy in Russia.  Where fans of other teams hit the news for doing things like giving Nazi salutes, the Japanese football team bowed to their own fans in gratitude.  The players left behind a note that said “спасибо” (Russian for “thank you”) in their locker room AND they cleaned it up, leaving it looking spotless.  Despite being dealt a crushing loss, the Japanese fans gave the world a lesson in grace when they helped clean up the stadium.

After the story went viral a reader explained: “This is a part of our culture. Japanese school age children would have also done this. After a school day, they clean their classrooms. They even make their lunches in class and clean up after. Very different culture.” Another reader pointed out that UCLA’s legendary coach John Wooden expected the same of his players.  Then there was the story about the huge basketball fight that broke out at the FIBA World Cup qualifier game between the Philippines and Australia.  Players piled on top of each other as fists and chairs went flying, and one Australian player could be seen pinned under a courtside chair while being punched by a number of players from the home team.  The crowd got involved throwing bottles and booing.

When our daughter Madelyn was growing up she often participated in summer sports camps.  She particularly enjoyed gymnastics and was delighted when at the end of the week she and all the campers were presented with a trophy.  It was a nice award for a short summer experience but I’m afraid it fell short in helping her to understand sportsmanship.  Sportsmanship teaches lessons on how to lose with dignity and grace as well as how to win with humility and gratitude. Important lessons in athletics and in life.*