It’s Okay to Celebrate the Little Things

An Adult Rec-League Basketball Tale

As I pumped my fist and slapped my teammates’ hands, I realized I had just accomplished a new first in my life…

I had scored six points in a basketball game.

Six points!!

For context, I’m “better known” for my defensive, not offensive, skills.

(Better known is obviously written tongue in cheek.)

But on this glorious night, I scored six points, which resulted from three baskets. I don’t score very often, so every time I make a basket, I feel elation, often accompanied by a jump in the air.

After the game, my teammates all raved about my performance. (They are a very supportive group, and I’m a massive fan of every one of them.)

Following this, I gathered my things to go and started walking home. I was feeling on top of the world! Then this little doubt crept up in my head… “Erin, this is six points in rec-league basketball. Should you really be this excited about it? It’s not like you cured cancer or anything.”

And you know what? I decided that I was allowed to be excited about the little things in my life. When you are a little kid, people congratulate you for all manner of things: you tied your shoe, HIGH FIVE! You rode a bike, AWESOME! You wrote your name — WELL DONE, I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!!

Now, I’m not saying that adults need high fives for tying our own shoes; for little…