I thought about not playing this year. Don’t get me wrong – I want to play football. I enjoy playing football. I do not enjoy committing to two nights a week where I don’t see my kids and my wife is almost ready for bed by the time I get home.
I joined football last year because I was looking for a way to become active – I don’t play basketball or softball or go bowling. Well… I have bowled a bit but never steady enough to consider it active – besides, bowling isn’t all that active anyway. I can’t afford to snow ski or go water skiing. I often said, I play football, if I could play as an adult, I would. So when I found out that there is a semi-pro team right here in town – I jumped on it.
However, the amount of time required is considerable. I have to practice twice a week from October until April – not adding games until January. I enjoy the games – and I benefit from the practices. But I miss my family and I already have a long 55mile drive each way to work and back every day.
What do I do then? I talked to Stephanie – and I think we are on the same page – I’m going to play football, however if there is a conflict between football and our personal life – our personal life wins. I think that is reasonable.
To be honest, I did consider simply not playing this year at all. Having started running (walking/jogging) I realize that I do have an activity that I can do with my wife and children. Since my goal in being active is to have more time with my family – running seems like an obvious choice over football. I guess I’m trying to have my cake and eat it too.
Is that selfish of me? Should I quit football to spend more time with the family? I enjoy football and I want to play, but my family means more to me than football ever could. I don’t want to lose sight of the point for the process. The point in being active is for more time with my family – if football is the process to that end – great, but if it becomes the point, maybe I have lost focus… What do you think?