Most everyone knows that the Head Ball Coach Steve Spurrier resigned as head coach. You do know he resigned and didn’t retire, right? I am not sure that mattered to anyone other than the HBC but sometimes wording and “spin” are important in making a point. I will miss him. He did more for the University of SC than many former coaches combined times ten.
Coach Shawn Elliott was named interim coach. I thought he did a great job. I followed him on Twitter and noticed that his wife tweeted a “thank you” note to him for a great job of “picking up the pieces” of the team after the HBC resigned. I agree with Mrs. Elliott. Well said mam and well deserved for Shawn. Coach Elliott really did pick up the pieces and served the Gamecocks in admirable fashion as they moved on “Spurrier-less.” Changes have a way of deconstructing the established structures and after 10 years of leadership that is a lot of structure that can come undone. Yet Coach Elliott worked to bring the team together and to help them revision and remission their goal as a team.
Sometimes we have to pick up the pieces in our lives. That can mean job changes, coping with the death of beloved pets, moving to a new state, becoming an “empty nester,” retirement, divorce, relationship changes, and even changing faith communities. Loss is always around and a woven piece of fabric in our daily lives. No one is immune to loss.
We are not without hope though. We can build love, faith, hope, joy, and beauty into our lives and these spiritual values can help us create resiliency for the current loss and resiliency for losses that await us in the future. I have had my fair share of losses. I have done my fair share of weight lifting and exercise (not so much lately) and I know that today’s workout will help me with tomorrow’s workout. Exercise and workout today leads to greater strength and resiliency for tomorrow. As we pick up the pieces, may we grow stronger, wiser, and even savvier with the hope of achieving the good goals of peace, happiness, and having a new purpose and new mission in life.
