Self Story 1: For the Greater Good

Some of the most powerful lessons in my schooling have been lessons learned in our school gymnasium which donned giant bolded words on the wall stating “Where Effort and Kindness Counts” (Jack Mackenzie). Kindness was a value within the brick walls of that building and stuck to every child who attended, no search was required to attain the quote because it has been embedded in my brain. As I have grown and travelled, primarily to the United States, I have expanded my theory that not only do Jack Mackenzie Coyotes hold themselves to these standards. Being a Canadian is different for every human being, but when it comes to kindness our country unites.

The game was still early, the bright numbers ticking down one by one, shoes squeaking on the scuffed laminate floors, and the Spalding basketball ball bouncing almost rhythmically between the palms of a fellow team mate, a sense of unity began filling the building. It was a playoff game in a tournament we were hosting, up against a team from far north Saskatchewan. For the first time in my basketball career the opposing team was suddenly no longer the ‘competition’, simply athletes playing from two teams together. It was as if the entire gym simultaneously remembered the values of kindness regardless of the circumstance at the same moment. The idea that there were more powerful ways to win than the numbers on the scoreboard seemed to be understood almost as though it was written on the wall. It was this beautiful, unplanned moment that had the spectators their feet cheering till their throats hurt and clapping till their hands turned red for every point regardless of the jersey the player wore.  We were supposed ‘competitors’ but without words we realized that our values and deeply entrenched culture of kindness was that true win in this game.

The game ending buzzer shook the gym. I have never felt happier to win even though the numbers on the board indicated the other team would take home the championship trophy.  It was time for the ceremonial championship photo and almost as if there was a magnetic force pulling our teams together, we joined as one. The uniform worn no longer held importance. Everyone belonged in that championship photo. 

The other team likely wasn’t afforded the same privilege as our team, but their grit, passion and heart displayed was what secured them that trophy. A wave of chatter emerged from the four concrete walls, like I have never witnessed before. This lesson took us by storm. The adrenaline from our ‘win-like-loss’ was palpable. Before school the next day, 14 players from our team all committed to donate a new pair of basketball shoes to send to this team with a note of appreciation. 

To be a Canadian it means that everyone belongs. Kindness is our core value and that diversity is the essence of what joins our country. I may have been a 13 year old girl, but I learned a lesson that will last me a lifetime.