Easter Message: Pickleball and the “Metaphor for a Happy Life”

A Fantastic Scene

My instant addiction to pickleball came while I was running on a platform track in a gymnasium in Farmington, Utah, and saw two of the three large sections of the gymnasium floor below me transform into eight pickleball courts. While running in that “8 laps per mile” circle, training for a marathon, I watched what I had previously called “an old folks retirement sport” and noticed something peculiar. I witnessed young people and older adults having the time of their lives! 

Lap after lap, I witnessed a fantastic scene. One section of the gym floor had four pickleball courts ready and waiting. And within minutes of seeing that scene, a herd of people entered the gym and filled each court, four players at a time. I saw players putting their “racquets” (oh, I learned that day all about “paddles”) up on a wall mount, waiting to be the next team to take possession of a court vacated by four players finishing a game. Then, I saw the four that finished running over to the wall mount to get their paddles placed to play again. I saw a well-thought-out and organized sport with old folks playing young folks and having the time of their lives! Smiles were not in short supply! Laughter and collegiality were recognizable from the track above. 

At the top of the next hour, while keeping my pace above, another section of the gymnasium, used for aerobics with dozens of people exercising and following the movements of the aerobics instructor, transformed into four additional pickleball courts. And then, while running lap after lap, over 60 people joined in the foray of this crazy sport, filling both sections! Again, age didn’t matter. There were, before my very eyes, teenagers to Eli (a much older man), whose story I will soon tell the world as he has become a fulfillment of that moment’s pondering attraction that laid the foundation of my coaching philosophy: “Pickleball is a metaphor for a happy life.”

My 1st Easter Blog Story

Those who know me know I am a Christian. I was raised in New Jersey in a fantastic small farming community filled with deeply devoted religious families of all shapes and sizes and every imaginable denomination to a young kid. The contrast in religious views was profoundly fascinating to me. Yet, regardless of the differing religious beliefs, everyone got along – and the respect for my religious beliefs was tangible in those formative years. While not part of this narrative, I bring this up as a simple comparison that now, while well beyond my formative years, the “tangible” observations of love and respect shown in my youth seems to be fading fast and play into what could be called the “parable of pickleball” where, once again, one’s beliefs are respected on and off the court, friendship abound and seem lasting and genuine, making the “metaphor for a happy life” even more profound.

A Brief Anecdote

My best friend in middle school was Danny Weinger, a Jew. I went to his bar mitzvah and his younger sister Molly’s bat mitzvah and loved learning about their devotion to God and family. Shared between us was a love for jumping motorcycles and bicycles off of barn doors and haybales, riding unicycles, jumping into his pool through a thin sheet of ice during the winter, … and adhering to a summary of the Christian’s duty to his neighbor, a fundamental ethical principle referred to as “a golden rule” – and taught in various forms by the world’s major religions, even back during the time of Confucius! 

From the “brief anecdote” above, and before my “Easter Narrative,” let me pay some added tribute to my upbringing in a religious melting pot of varying beliefs, folded into what I would call the most critical “common” virtues and values among my friends, centered on teaching that leads to a “happy life” and my discovery of pickleball and, without question, threaded into our coaching and training philosophy:

“Happiness” and Skill

First: Happiness starts by learning and developing skills that lead to treating others with kindness and respect. Sometimes this is a complex skill to develop – requiring a mentor or teacher to help refine it! Please note that respecting others and giving kindness is happiness’s “sending” part. 

Second: Happiness is understood and refined when one witnesses the return of kindness and respect. This, too, is a “not-so-obvious” complex skill to develop and, from my experience, requires a mentor or teacher to help refine it! Please note that this is happiness’s “receiving” part and involves the development of other virtues that include humility, patience, purposeful planning, and even the recognition of God’s hand in one’s life. 

Request: Think deeply about the “receiving” part of the learning equation to happiness. 

Therefore, happiness has roots in what my parents taught me by example as the “sending” part of skill development called “the golden rule.” The receiving part was more complex and took years, decades, and ongoing refinements. As a hook into the complexity, think about the origin of “turn the other cheek” from the Sermon on the Mount in the New Testament (see Matthew chapter 5). 

Religions of the World

From a “Religions of the World” class I took at the University of Minnesota, I refined my understanding of “happiness” from The Golden Rule. The Golden Rule, or the ethic of reciprocity, is a moral principle in many world religions and philosophies. It generally states that one should treat others as one would like to be treated. Here are some examples that I remember and have refined of similar teachings from various religious and philosophical traditions:

1. Buddhism: “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” (Udana-Varga 5:18)
2. Confucianism: “Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.” (Analects 15:23)
3. Hinduism: “This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.” (Mahabharata 5:1517)
4. Islam: “None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” (Hadith, Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 12)
5. Jainism: “In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self.” (Lord Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara)
6. Judaism: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow: this is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn.” (Talmud, Shabbat 31a)
7. Taoism: “Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.” (T’ai Shang Kan Ying P’ien)
8. Zoroastrianism: “Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.” (Shayast-na-Shayast 13:29)

These teachings demonstrate a common thread in many religious and philosophical traditions, emphasizing the importance of empathy, kindness, and respect for others – and, without question from historical “happiness” within an adhering community or nation, lead to a “happy” people. While the wording may vary, the essential message of the Golden Rule is shared across diverse cultures and belief systems.

Begs to Repeat

Pickleball is a metaphor for a happy life! With this expressed, I state categorically that pickleball requires a coach, given the complexity of both the sending and receiving nature of happiness. In addition, the not-so-obvious elements, leading to “aha moments” of significant increases in one’s pickleball IQ, and even the “happiness” of progress and winning, need mentorship and a humble desire for the athlete/student’s constant improvement!

The Easter Narrative

This morning, while pondering several chapters in the Gospel of Matthew and contemplating that this week, devoted to study, prayer, and deep contemplation, is without argument among every believer in Jesus Christ, the most significant week in history. My week has included a review of the writings on the life of Christ and the correlation to “happiness.” 

Jesus Christ taught several principles that can contribute to a happy and fulfilled life. While what I will share is rooted in a Christian context, as expressed above, many of them can be applied universally. So, here are some key teachings from Jesus that relate to happiness. Most of these teachings on “happiness” came to mind as I ran in circles above my first real introduction to pickleball:

1. Love God and love others: Jesus emphasized the importance of loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). Practicing love, compassion, and kindness can lead to deeper relationships and personal satisfaction.
2. The Golden Rule: Jesus taught, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12). Treating others with respect and empathy can create a positive environment and contribute to a happier life.
3. Forgiveness: Jesus encouraged his followers to forgive others, as God forgives them (Matthew 6:14-15). Letting go of grudges and resentment can lead to inner peace and happiness.
4. Humility: Jesus taught that humility is a virtue, and that those who humble themselves will be exalted (Matthew 23:12). Embracing humility can help you build better relationships and appreciate the blessings in your life.
5. Seek the Kingdom of God: Jesus encouraged his followers to prioritize their spiritual lives and seek the Kingdom of God above all else (Matthew 6:33). This focus on spiritual growth can lead to a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
6. Trust in God: Jesus taught his followers to trust in God’s plan and provision for their lives (Matthew 6:25-34). Cultivating trust in a higher power can help alleviate worry and anxiety, leading to greater happiness.
7. Practice gratitude: While Jesus did not explicitly teach about gratitude, his actions often demonstrated thankfulness, such as when he gave thanks before breaking bread (Matthew 15:36). Developing an attitude of gratitude can increase happiness and contentment.
8. Be a peacemaker: Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Striving for peace and harmony in relationships can contribute to a happier life.
9. Be a light to others: Jesus called his followers to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), encouraging them to be a positive example to others. Spreading kindness, love, and hope can bring joy and happiness to both the giver and receiver.

Remember that these teachings come from a Christian perspective, and interpretations may vary among individuals and denominations. Nevertheless, without question to all humanity, in a broader context, they promote happiness and well-being.

Happy Easter to our students and the world – as we promote the “metaphor for a happy life!”