Have fun By Alan Brizee © July 14, 2014, rev. Mar. 2020
When you wake up in the morning and are getting dressed, put on your shirt,
You’re going bowling today to beat up on the other team and make them hurt,
so go have fun.
No matter what the score is or who’s ahead in the match, give it your all when you’re out there,
Whether it’s your weekly league, tournaments or even nationals, it’s definitely not about where,
it’s about having fun.
In close matches and to help motivate and inspire your team, don’t forget to clap,
Pulling together in the same direction is one key to winning, so wear the same cap,
and continue having fun.
Just remember that during competition at any time or any place, you NEVER give up,
If you’re feeling just a little tired from lack of sleep, then put some coffee in your cup,
and have some fun.
Remember that every week, trying to make the league Roll-Offs will be like a roll of the dice,
Just because you were lucky to win once, means you still put in the work so it can happen twice,
so that it will be fun.
You must be willing to give it 100% to help your team win is really all you can do, right?
Your team MUST remain positive no matter what situation you face, all through the night,
helps your team have fun.
Teams that set goals by writing them down and obtain them every season get psyched,
Encouraging each other even after losing a game or if slightly behind is what I liked,
so you can have more fun.
Watching good teams that are successful will give you the reason to go out there and win,
They’re willing to help each other shoot some great scores, so when it’s over, they can grin,
because they’re having fun.
Whatever happened in the past can’t be changed, as today is a new day for your aim,
It should be about your attitude, always positive enjoying the competition, for your daily claim, because competition is fun.
How else did all those great bowlers with all their tournament titles get in the Hall of Fame?
Some were on great teams and willing to step up levels bragging about all the titles they won, because winning is fun.
It’s never about what somebody said or what one person did, as long as they got the job done,
It’s that they worked each and every day, week after week, month after month,
AND HAD FUN.
If you haven’t noticed, the individuals and teams that seem to be having the most fun, are the ones who are winning and make the playoffs.
Why are they winning? 1. Having fun actually reduces self-induced pressure. 2. When you’re winning and have come back to win some games, almost every game is within reach of winning. Everyone gets excited when they pull victory from a possible defeat. 3. The motivation and inspiration to every team member will get even the lowest averages lined in to shot some great scores. 4. Because of winning on a more consistent basis, they’re more relaxed and able to repeat great shots. 5. Their goal of making the Roll-Offs are just a few wins away and maybe one team stands in their way. They made the Roll-Offs before so they’re just duplicating what they know is possible. 6. They act like a team as they know it’s the whole team that either wins or loses. Someone usually steps up when needed for the win. 7. They talk to each other on what the lanes are doing and how much they’re breaking down so everyone is ready what adjustments may be needed and when. 8. They enjoy the competition so much that actual focus better when the game is close. 9. Teams that don’t feel the pressure as much are more relaxed and a more relaxed shot usually creates better pin action and the so called good break. And my final answer is, 10. They are having so much fun that they worry less about scores and just let it happen, one shot at a time. This is what several call reality. But this reality leads to being successful. You’re not stressing out about having to win. You’re out there just trying to help and motivate your team to victory because one person can’t do it all.
One setback is a teammate getting frustrated for leaving a 10 pin. Now they miss the spare and the bowling gods are against them. Now not only are they not having fun, they stop encouraging the team and the momentum shifts to the other team. Mistakes will happen. Learn from all mistakes, so they won’t be repeated. If you’re not trying to solve the problem, then it’s you who is the problem. That’s what fun is about. Helping out the team to achieve its goals. Making a bold move to help your team win is fun. Grinding it out in a close match to pull it out is fun. Enjoying the competition is supposed to be fun. LIVE FOR THE MOMENT, focus on just what can be controlled, your next shot and above all, have fun.
I said it once and have repeated it a hundred times, if you’re not having fun, it may be time to quit.
What I want most from bowling ByAlan Brizee © Aug. 25, 2000, rev. Jun. 2014 & Mar. 2020
It's been said you take it one step at a time,
It can be hard to do and fairly easy to say,
They're not having problems hitting the pocket,
I just hope I can throw another strike today.
When setting your sights for the next goal,
Remember to reach for the farthest star,
Better be ready to go to distant places,
Have fun in your travels, no matter how far.
Just remember that during the next season,
It's not about scores but what you learn,
The knowledge will help your average soar,
Paying dividends in tournaments as you earn.
A lot of bowlers hope their team wins,
But some players like to do it alone,
But when the team is having fun winning,
It just makes it easier to get in the zone.
Those who exhibit the most confidence,
Have accomplished so much in the past,
As others try for their first achievement,
And hoping that it won't be their last.
Some bowlers who quickly rise to the top,
Get there because their attitude is good,
They like the challenges and the pressure,
It’s their confidence that knocks down the wood.
The bowlers who have won the most titles,
Will usually be honored in the Hall of Fame,
It would be great, but if I don't make it,
I will always try to have fun with this game.
Those that worry too much about their score,
And for those that dream of a perfect game,
Of course there are a few bowlers hoping to get in the Hall,
All I want is, to shoot an 800, just the same.
(NOTE: 2 and a half years later, after writing this, and two lessons from my mental coach Beth, I finally shot my 800. It was a stair step 268. 269 and 270 for 807. After the 3rd frame, going spare, strike, spare, I didn’t think about the 800 until I was in the 9th frame. I told myself, I needed the next three, which I had done at least a thousand time before. I threw 4 great shots to punch out, one shot at a time. I will admit, there was an area of around four boards, but I still had to throw the ball well to strike. This should show that you have to forget what you’re shooting and focus only on one shot at a time. Looking too far towards the future won’t guarantee the results. Only when you focus on the present, can great things start to happen.
Added notes: I was honored for my hard work as Secretary of the Traveling Masters by Tucson Tribute and Honors in March 2011. My biggest accomplishment came in October 2014, when I averaged 244 for all 18 games to win the USBC Tucson Metro Senior Masters. My last three games were 803 with a 300 to force a final match. The great thing about this time was that my mom, before she passed away, was able to see me achieve three goals and my take home my all-time goal of winning the Masters.)
Pg. 18: 7/3/20
Next: There's no I in team