“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Joseph P. Kennedy

Throughout the spring and summer months, there are numerous instances, that the going gets tough. It can happen on the greens, on the dirt oval, on the pond and even in the deep end of a swimming pool. Somehow, we must all push through the early going, no matter what Mother Nature decides to give us, all the way to and through the ‘Dog Days’ of Summer.

During the warm months, the greens and fairway will become second nature to many people, that have been hitting the rough or living in the sand. There are many courses in the Nebraska that can challenge all levels of linksters, and hackers. There are island greens that rival the PGA Championship courses, that cause hackers like me to carry a ball retriever. Some people say that I spend more time in the sand and water than the lifeguard crew from, "Baywatch", while attempt to play the game known as golf. For us less than scratch golfers, there are still courses in Nebraska, that have sand greens, that build my short-game confidence in the direction of a PGA pro. Novice or experienced, the relaxed atmosphere on the elegant green grass of a country club, is a welcome site for everybody involved in golf.

If you are a golfer who spends too much time in the rough,and want to see people having fun in the rough, especially on the dirt, there are many other options to be active. There currently are numerous individuals that are prefecting their ability to ‘go fast, turn left’. At times, the adversity, such as yellow, red, and/or black flags can put a cramp in a drivers plans for winning, but the real competitors continue to push forward and never give up, there are too many alternatives that can fall in your direction, that very soon there after, a trip back to a top five finishing position can just fall into ones lap. A little luck, is always helpful.

Speaking of being lucky, luck is always a good thing, out on the water. Fishing, boating and/or skiing, etc., is a popular activity for many of the generation X population. Many people are just amateurs, but there is always a chance that amateurs are flung into the limelight as ‘Master Anglers’, it only takes one snag, catch to earn the label of being an elitist fisherman. In boating and skiing, snag is not a good term to hear, I don’t know about you, but i would prefer of everything going smoothly, no tumbles, no bruises and/no paddling, that isn’t too much to ask for is it?

The paddling is hopefully at a minimum, especially when you are at a swimming pool. I, myself am very proficient in the different swimming strokes, and have always enjoyed trips to the pool. On those very hot days of summer, it is a relaxing experience, to ease into the water and enjoy the mild temperature. It shouldn’t matter if you are an advanced swimmer or a beginner, there are chances for all participants to battle past the tough going, and face your fears of water and the swimming suit blues.

Everybody has the chance to prosper in activities and athletics this summer. There are many activities that involve being active, all people need to venture out of their comfort zones, and ignore the rough and tough patches and keep your eye on the prize at the end.

Self Satisfaction and Achievement

“You have to wonder at times what you’re doing out there. Over the years, I’ve given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement.”

Steve Prefontaine

Here in the very near future, the school year and spring sports season will have been completed, and there has been many personal achievements and goals reached by the competitors in Soccer, Tennis, Golf and Track and Field, and you the athlete and the faithful supporters should step back for a second and remember the moments, that will be cherished for a lifetime.

It doesn’t matter if you scored a hat trick, hit a hole-in-one, and/or cleared 7’0” in the high jump, your personal achievements deserve recognition, just as much as the athlete that scored their first goal, hit for par or elevated over opening height. The personal goals and praise should be shared, by the successful competitor, it is healthy and part of being self-satisfied, considering each and everyone of our biggest critics, is yourself. Accept the praise given to you; most positive praise is from credible, legit sources.

The next time you attend a soccer game on the pitch, catch some net action and/or take in a track and field meet, applaud all the competitors for their successes, no matter if they break the tape, all the way to the last finisher. A prime example of the loyalty of athletics, are the former athletes that return to watch the sports action of their former teams and are proud to wear the specific colors of the school or team.

It doesn’t matter if you have family members competing or not, find time to support your former coaches that have made you the wonderful person that you are today, whether they affected you in the classroom or in the athletic spectrum.

At the State Track and Field meet in Omaha, there is a conglomerate of former Bearcat athletes cheering on the current Kearney High participants, each and every year. They take pride in their accomplishments and the schools current feats.

The Pride of your school can be demonstrated in multiple ways, and recently ‘Suhperman’ Nadamkong Suh made a large financial contribution to the Nebraska Cornhusker athletic program, to thank the University for the chance to achieve his personal goals and as a result of his successes and the donation, Suh should be self satisfied, totally.

In a totally different aspect, but just as valuable situation, NFL Super Bowl winning lineman Carl Nicks recently returned to the Nebraska-Lincoln campus and apologized to coach Bo Pelini and AD Tom Osborne for bad behavior when he was a Husker. There was no financial exchange, but the self-satisfaction and respect gained by the mentioned individuals, is priceless.

Which begs me to ask the question, if you are self-satisfied and proud of your school; is your school proud of you?