HAHPN - September 2010 #1

Defending Sport
Check out this clip. It shows Iowa University football player, Josh Koeppel, getting hit head-on by an unyielding pick-up truck while riding his moped. I'll tell you right now that he survives.

However, does playing football spare him of more serious injury? I say, heck yes! But, so does his size, speed of impact, and other variables (his guardian angels were with him). As a matter of fact, many contact sports such as ice hockey and rugby can serve as buffers between disaster and further disaster. I'm not saying you should go out and stand in the middle of the street, waiting for a car to hit you.

Many times sports and athletics get a bad rep. Scandals, over competition at a young age, intense physicality, and PEDs (Performance Enhancing Drugs) threaten the good ole name of sport. The good nature of sport is more powerful. It brings countries together in times of crisis (Olympics, World Cup). It gives attention to role models (Jordan, Ovechkin, Ochocinco). It makes people stronger, faster, and quicker. It does build character. Heck, sports even save lives and communities.

Sports are positive. It is only negative when people take it for granted. I'm not getting into the MMA debate...just yet.

FALLing Changes
I have tapped on this topic before, but the incoming Fall season (starts September 22nd and NOT the day after Labor Day) brings change. Your schedule changes. Your work changes. Your body changes. For this matter your mind changes. Traffic patterns change.

It is in your best duty to gear up for this change, whether you have to wake up earlier or prepare meals at different times. It is very tempting to fall back on your health, fitness, and wellness during this time. Do not do it! Adjust your schedule accordingly as burdens increase.

Growing up as a native of the Washington Metro Area, the Fall season meant school and even more heavy traffic. I have noticed that in the Boston area, the Fall means school and more heavy traffic and the exponential increase in the population (for the record, I like Boston better in the summertime). These changes call for adjustments to your regular schedule. Or, if you're not bothered by the change then maybe you can help someone else with his/her change. Ha, you thought you were just that much off the hook...nope!

Be easy,
Derek