Siddeeq Shabazz
CFL.ca
Here is a look into Lesson 7 from “Lessons Learned” in my fourth blog.
- Lesson 7 – Who you are being has a lot more impact than what you are doing.
I learned this when I wasn’t worried about how people would receive what I had to offer, but would rather offer all that I had, and let the individual decide what they would do with it. That’s what I do in my free camp for middle school boys and girls, that’s what I do as a lifestyle coach for YourDay etc, and really that’s what I am doing with this blog.
I just want to offer a piece of who I am with the intentions of health and understanding for whoever is interested. By letting go of my inhibition to let people know the real me, and hang up the football façade, I hope that people can get an honest look at a regular guy living with purpose and intention, and hopefully inspire others to do the same.
I draw a lot of my own inspiration from ordinary people doing extraordinary things. The other day, for instance, I saw a lady jogging with a plastic bag in her hand picking up trash along the way. It was just a small gesture and though she wasn’t doing it for my viewing pleasure, in seeing her actions I became inspired to do the same.
Back home my YourDay team goes for a 5 mile run every week, and I thought “how cool would it be to have an entire group of health conscious individuals doing the same, and doing a small part to help clean our environment.” I’ve heard a few of my coaches say that “you’re either part of the solution, or your part of the problem,” and I take that sentiment quite seriously. On my football team it’s a little bit harder to be as consistent as I would want to be in being part of the solution rather than the problem. At times it seems like football has a strong culture of its own that I’m still working on being a positive part of rather than just being immersed in it and falling victim to the negative aspects that I normally try to steer clear of.
My mission statement is huge in helping me make decisions that will impact the rest of my life. In deciding to come back this season I had to look at my mission in life, and see where my football career fit in. Though it hasn’t been done on any organizations I’ve been a part of, I enjoy the challenge. It’s funny and confronting at times when I address my team and see the looks they give me, but it’s always very affirming to have a few guys let me know that they feel me and appreciate my efforts to help our team take that next step in reaching our ultimate goal of bringing a Grey Cup back to Edmonton.
Along our journey this year our coaches talked about how what we are doing isn’t for everyone, but those who buy in would be a part of something great. Well, what I am doing really is for everybody, it’s just up to you to step outside the box and see if it fits you. Next time I will conclude this portion of my blog with a discussion on Lesson 8, till then God bless.
Siddeeq Shabazz is a second-year linebacker with the Edmonton Eskimos. He led the team in defensive tackles as a rookie in 2007. He is also a lifestyle coach for www.yourdayetc.com.
