Adult participation trophies are not silly.

Because the win here is that we are participating. We are getting ourselves out there. The medal on the left is an actual winning medal for my pickleball team in our league last summer (we were actually the champions!). Our captain bought these in a very light-hearted fashion but I have kept it around because it signifies way more than beating beginner/intermediate middle aged women at pickleball. It signifies me being willing to look stupid learning a new sport in my late fifties. It represents all the other delightful people I have met learning that sport. It reminds me that I didn’t quit when I realized 99% of the women were former tennis players and I was not. It represents the discovery of a whole new fun community I would not have otherwise met.

It led to trying a hip-hop class and laughing my way through the performance (yes, we performed! It was excruciating and exhilarating and very bonding).

The real ‘trophies’ I have won include a body that is more fit than ever, several new communities of friends (many of whom are also willing to be newbies), and an improved ability to laugh at myself. Like, laugh ’til my stomach hurts fun.

Highly recommend (but no need to hunt down that performance video).

Come visit me at the other places I am finding participation trophies:

Contact me at: lynn@lynnrankinesquer.com
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