Sleeping in My Own Bed

Since school let out June 6 to now June 28, I counted that I have slept in my own bed six nights.  The bulk of that is because of my trip to Iceland in mid-June, but as soon as we got back, we headed to West Lafayette and Purdue University (at least Maddie got to go and spend time with me), Wabash College in Crawfordsville IN, and Olney junior college in Illinois to play in tournaments for my high school team.

The experience in Iceland was life altering and then we played 15 games in less than a week and improved greatly this week.  Where we were before I left for Iceland and where we are tonight after getting back from Olney is a big improvement.  An improvement that has gotten me excited about the upcoming season if everyone stays healthy and out of trouble.

But all of that time has kept me from sleeping in my own bed.  Between the hotel in Iceland and the hotels this past week, I haven't gotten to sleep in my own bed and I miss it.  It is the decision I make to do these things so my not sleeping at home is my fault as much as anything, but it doesn't make it any easier to deal with. 

There is absolutely nothing like the feel of your own pillow, mattress and bedroom.  So, I will take a few days and stay home, work around the house, and sleep in my own bed, but it will soon be time for a family vacation and what does that mean?  More sleeping in another bed other than my own.

Camp Ends in Iceland; Headed Home Today

I am looking forward to getting back to the "real world" this week and coaching my own team.  We have lots to do and a short period over the next 9 days to get it accomplished.  But I would not change this experience for anything.

I have written before and will again that when you finish a camp like this, there are two very conflicting emotions going on.  First, for me, is a semi-depression.  This place has become my "home" for the last week and a half.  I know the town, I know some of the people, and I know the kids at the camp.  I have been helped by many of these people in many different ways.  But you also have the overwhelming excitement about getting home...to see the ones truly important.

I don't know if I learn much anymore, it's not that I know everything, and trust me, I am always looking to learn something new and many people would be willing to tell you how unintelligent I am.  What I think happens to me anymore is that what I truly believe is reinforced.

1.  People are good.  I am sure if I started to live in places I have visited that the experience would change, but as a visitor...people are good.

2.  It is important to experience life.  I could easily spend the rest of my days sitting on my couch and staying in southern Indiana, but I refuse to do that.  Traveling to Iceland, Serbia, Makedonja and other places are what living life is about.  You can read about things in a book, but you don't really understand unless you are there.

3.  It is about relationships.  Some of the relationships I have developed over the last week will stay with me forever.  Of course, we are spending much time together this week and it will get less and less, but with facebook and skype, I will be able to watch some of these people that I have grown very close to grow up and live their lives...that is special.

4.  It's not about me.  I have been blessed with so many things in life and money is the least of these things.  I only feel that is is right to give back some of that.  When I think of all the people that have helped me along the way while growing up and living, I am overwhelmed by the number.  Hopefully, this week I have done a little something like that for someone.

5.  Besides faith, family is #1.   Being away from my family has not been easy.  It is one of the downsides about experiencing life and where do I draw the line with my selfish wants and taking time away from them.  My faith helps, some will disagree with that, but it is important to me, but thinking about my kids and wife really get to me when I spend this much time away from them.  I cannot wait to see them, hug them and kiss them as they are the most important things in the world to me.

Today we leave here, Sauodrakrokur, and fly to Reykjavik and tomorrow morning I head back to the USA.  I am sure I will be sad today as we finish camp, as I am sitting here typing this, and I am equally sure that when we touch down in Boston and I am closer to home, my sadness of leaving here will be replaced by an overwhelming feeling of happiness for being home, not just southern Indiana, but with my family.

Things I Have Learned About Iceland

Reading about a culture and actually partaking in it are two very different things.  Here are a few things that I have learned about Iceland.

1.  The horses here have 5 gaits or ways of running.  I went to a horse show the other night and it was interesting.  At one point, two riders rode around the building holding beverages and didn't spill a drop. 

2.  The police have a relatively easy job in this town.  Very nice, quiet and rarely too much going on as far as craziness.  Lots going on, just not bad stuff.

3.  It is cold here in June.  The locals say it is unusually cold for this time of year, but when they talk about how "warm" it usually is, it still sounds cold to me.

4. Icelandic is harder to try and learn than Serb or Makedonian.  Thankfully, I was able to learn many of the kids names, but some, well, I will just say sorry. 

5.  The coach I have worked with is Serbian.  I have actually translated between the Iceland kids and Coach Goran Miljevic a few times as they couldn't understand each other's English....me a translator?

6.  People are proud of where they come from no matter where it is....as it should be.

7.  People are often willing to do many things to help a visitor out...thanks to all who have made this week enjoyable.

8.  Did I mention it's cold?  In June?

9.  The kids here want to excel as any that I have been around in the states...especially the younger group of girls I have been around this week.  Good athletes, good basketball players and totoal competitors!!!

10.  The sun never completely sets in June here.  The picture above is an example of 3 AM here. 

11.  It's cold!

It's My Blog and I'll Write if I Want to

I probably write about the same things over and over, but I believe there are some universal truths so it is going to allow for me to do that.  That is my opinion and this is my blog.  As I have grown older and deeper into my faith, I have a different understanding of my life.  I have written many times about how "winning" can be defined many different ways and some would argue that is how losers speak, but I believe that and you can call me what you want.

I had a conversation with someone about the recent clinic/camp I am attending in Iceland and the comment they made was that when they go to these things, it is all about basketball.  Basketball then the area, then the relationships.  This person was a young coach who is driven on getting better and winning games and championships, I understand, I used to be that way.  My response was for me, it was first about the relationships, then the surrounding area, then the basketball.  Basketball is last on my list in something like this...it is about learning and meeting new people. 

I truly believe that I will leave this place with new friends.  New friends that have met up here with me and new friends that live here, and I may not take anything away basketball wise (not true, got some good drills), but it will still be a success.  How you can experience anything new especially something as drastic as cold weather in June and daylight at night and not feel successful, then you have your priorities skewed. 

Someone else asked me what my expectations were for this or for that here and I try and not have expectations when coming to places like this, so far away from home.  When pushed further about what my expecations were, I said simply my expectation is to experience what is here, appreciate it and to never be disappointed.  That is actually a philosophy I try to use every day in every situation however unreasonable it may be.

Basketball is Universally Binding the World

The coaches at the Tindastoll camp are getting along much better than maybe could have ever been anticipated.  There is laughing, above is me speaking with an Italian GM and former coach Luigi Gresta http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luigi_Gresta .  In that picture you can see the camraderie that all of the coaches are feeling towards one another.

There are many reasons that this is happening, but basketball is what brought us together in Iceland and it is something that we all love and have a passion for.  I know you can get this in many other things, but here...now...it is basketball. 

Basketball is something else that has binded the coaches with a few people in this community as well.  All of the people we have come into contact with have been nothing but nice and hospitable.  The only thing that could be better would be the weather, but as the locals keep telling me....quit complaining about the weather; it is Iceland!

It is Wednesday and I am looking forward to going home.  However, with any camp you do become connected to the kids, the players, and the coaches and it will be with some sadness that I leave, but with much happiness when I arrive home.

Don't Ask "why?", Ask "what?"

Last night, I had a good conversation with one of the locals about religion.  I am a Christian and the discussion was about religion; their doubts, concerns, and beliefs.  The biggest question they had was that how could a God allow bad things to happen in the world.  My response was short with some analogies, but I used Tony Dungy's (former football coach of the Indianapolis Colts) words from his book "Quiet Strength".  He says that when something bad happens (his young son committed suicide without anyone knowing why) that you shouldn't ask "why?", but "what?" meaning what can I learn from this and be a better person and use it as a positive example as a Christian.

How often as coaches have we asked that question about many different things that happen to us?  I know that I have done it often, but if we take what Coach Dungy says and apply it to our lives we can remain more positive or at least attempt to.  The religious aspect of his comment probably means more to me than the overall meaning (read the book to understand where he is coming from...I don't want this to be a religious post, but it kinda, sorta is).  What can we do at any given moment?  Basketball coach Don Meyer says you should make every decision with the intent of what is the next "right" thing to do based on your values.  No matter the outcome, you then look for the next "right" thing to do.

I don't claim to know everything (I am sure my wife would disagree), but I am smart enough to listen to people that have experience, are smart, and understand that I can learn from them.  It is humbling to travel to different places, at home and abroad and how you can learn about life.  If you travel, talk to people, look at the environment and don't take something away positive you are missing out.  I truly believe that life is not about me, it is about helping others and trying to make it a better place for other people.  I know, however, that I fail...often...every day.  But I can continue to try whether it is discussing religion, posting a blog, working a basketball camp, or enduring a bad season.  That is probably one of the few selfish things that I struggle with is hoping I am doing what is planned for me.