Here now is a run down of another years worth of soccer lectures (even though they came at an awkward pace)

65 Saying goodbye to our pooch and remembering: love is the thing that lasts.

66 A vacation, a great indie-rock band, Alebrijes and Regan Charles Cook teaching us: all that is, is what we need right now.

67 A special note from Chris Citowicki: explaining how find joy and work through adversity.

68 Managers from Streich to Heath, more powerful leaders, superheroes of every stripe and the lesson that power isn’t part of people.

69 Watching the Loons playoff hopes and remembering to focus on the present moment alone

70 Encanto, Ross County, Burn Out and how there’s power and strength and beauty, just in being.

71 Alex’s strategizing: Keep it Simple, Son.

72 Owen’s realization while watching injuries and own goals that Good things can come: even from ouchies..

73 The World Cup, Harry Potter, problematic favorites and why it’s vital to remember that art is owned by the audience, not the artist.

74 valuable lessons from when we weren’t watching:
.1 Rosenborg/Alebrijes teach us balance yourself, neither your strengths nor your struggles define you.
.2 Minnesota’s teams and Ross County tell us there’s no place like home….so enjoy it while it lasts
.3 Freiburg’s failing explains that much as we want the shiniest trophies, being your best, regardless of the result can be the greatest reward
.4 Punjab’s long run showing that whatever else you focus on, life carries on.
.5 Vozdovak offers the inspiration that Hope is a thing with dragon wings.
.6 How Montana’s showdowns reflect that game recognizes game
.7 Atrophy in Grenoble reminds us to never underestimate the element of surprise
.8 Legon Cities needs to remember that love is love, but dependency is dangerous.
.9 Emelec’s unfortunate outcomes force us to remember part of the journey is the end, and that’s beautiful too.

75 Being new Freiburg fans and how, even without a nice shiny trophy: the journey itself is special.

75.5. Obviously, 2022 was a weird year, but that’s the only sort of year we’ve had since you boys have been alive. We’re surrounded by more and more and more stimuli, but that’s to be expected. If this year taught us anything it was to remember: appreciate the present and what is, let go of the future, the past, and what you wish things would be.

Here now is a run down of another years worth of soccer lectures (mercifully fewer as I work on talking less and listening more).

53 Ted Lasso, the Capitol Insurrection and why it’s important to remember that before you are anything else, you are the best version of yourself.

54 Hamilton, back up goalkeepers and how you act in a crisis should show who you are, not make you what you want to be.

55 Punjab FC & WandaVision explain why it’s easy to pin blame on one person, but it’s more valuable to comprehend the context.

56 Fighting over a Ukulele, national guard troops in the streets, the European Super League and a reminder that: when you’re afraid, know that you’re not alone.

57 Comparing different forms of the game and leagues around the world to show how equality is an ideal outcome, but equitability helps you do good.

58 Ross County’s new manager and how you don’t have to tolerate intolerance, but you should tolerate people.

59 How Rosenborg and the men’s rights movement illustrate the value of owning your perspective.

60 Olympics, jersey swaps, the end of democracy in Afghanistan and why I hope that you boys find new ways to question expectations.

61 Moana, the Loons, the Griz and why painful moments can serve you well if you walk through them.

62 Accept Failure

63 Changing schools, vaccine denial and how emphasizing that we are all inherently flawed enables us to move forward together.

64 Politics, classroom management, coaches from Freiburg to Missoula and how to stop trying to be a force for change, and instead change your force.

64.5. So…what did we learn from 2021? Well, it was still hard to write something once a month rather than once a week, but I still enjoyed it (and as you both gain greater vocabulary I need to listen more and channel my lectures here only).

Overall this year, there are a lot of things that I can see coming together and coalescing from this blog, but maybe the biggest is this: resist the gut reaction to panic, or judge, or grab for what you think you want. Instead, remember the bigger picture and appreciate where you are and who you’re with.