THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – Friday, February 22, 2019 ~ Guest Commentary ~ Page 15 NFL Retirees: A Bright Spot in a Sad Picture H By Dr. James Th rasher ow many times have you been asked: What do you do for a living? Your answer to that question divulges a great deal about you. Self-concept, selfworth and outlook are revealed by the impression you hope to communicate or strategy behind your response. We all quickly forecast how our answers will be perceived by others. This is especially true for individuals who are retiring or “calling it quits” in the National Football League (NFL). They have a decision to make in answering such a question: live in the past or boldly and positively look to and plan for the future. Many retiring NFL players are apparently having a very diffi cult time post-football. These athletes are moving from the bright spotlight to trying to illuminate what they see as a dimly lit life. Why? Many retired players are answering this question by defining themselves in the past. Because the very essence of their identities is caught up in their professional careers, statistics, and achievements, they are unable to productively move into the next chapter of their lives. The future for these individuals is held hostage by this outlook. The Sports Illustrated article “Broken Men and the NFL’s Broken System: Why Life After the Game Is So Diffi cult” outlines how lost these players are as they try to redefi ne who they have been for as long as they can remember – football players. This article and others like it describe their loss of identity and purpose, which has resulted in rampant divorce, drug and alcohol abuse, family dysfunction, and fi nancial problems and bankruptcy for many #OURHEARTS | FROM PAGE 6 addition, do muscle strengthening exercises 2 days a week. Can’t carve out a lot of time in your day? Don’t chuck your goal, chunk it! Try 10 or 15 minutes a few times a day. NHLBI’s Move More fact sheet provides ideas to get and keep you moving. Aim for a Healthy Weight If you’re overweight, find someone in your friend group, at work, or in your family who also wants to lose weight. (Every little bit can help!) Check in with them regularly to stay motivated or join a weight loss program together. Do healthy activities together, like walking or playing on a neighborhood sports team, and share low-calorie, low-sodium meals or recipes. (Pregnant women should NFL retirees. Julius Thomas, the All-Pro tight end most remembered for his acrobatic receptions of passes thrown by Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, is a shining example of how to transition out of the NFL. Thomas has retired from his noteworthy professional career and is determined to make sure his current identity is not defined by his career, the media, the fans, or living in accomplishments of the past. Thomas left behind the limelight and a nationally known identity to pursue his next calling. What is diff erent about him that sets him apart from his NFL counterparts who have gone before him? Julius has displayed three crucial elements in discerning the direction of this major life change: a driving motivation to serve others, a commitment to candid and thoughtful personal self-assessment, and a faith and trust in God that provides boldness and forward thinking. All three have contributed to a humble and confi dent metamorphosis of vocational callings for Thomas. Matt Dunn, writing in “What We Learn About Identity From Julius Thomas,” states that Thomas realized that “at a deeper level there was a longing for purpose in helping others.” He plans on earning a doctorate degree in psychology to do further research on the eff ects of head injuries in contact sports, which cause brain trauma and changes in neurobehavior. He believes that he is to aid his retiring or retired NFL peers who might be aff ected by these conditions. Julius is committed to testimonials of service and moving beyond being recognized as a famous NFL receiver. Thomas not try to lose weight, but they can exercise.) Eating Heart Healthy We tend to eat like our friends and family, so ask others close to you to join you in your eff ort to eat healthier. Need healthy eating ideas? Try NHLBI’s Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan. It’s free and scientifi cally proven to lower blood pressure and improve blood cholesterol levels. Quit Smoking To help you quit, ask others for support or join a support group. Research has shown that people are much more likely to quit if their spouse, friend, or sibling does. Social support online can also help you quit. All states have quit lines with trained counselors—call 1-800-QUITdescribes it as a yearning and a heartfelt call to assist others. Devotion to serving is the motivating purpose in his life. This is contrasted with the cars, homes, toys, and all the accoutrements of the NFL “life.” As he refl ected on his life, he realized that these things never did bring meaning to his deepest desires. Upon his retirement, Julius wrote a reflective essay titled “Journey Into Self” in which he took time to “check in” with himself. He shared his thoughts by stating, “[I took] stock of where I was in life and what was important to me.” Thomas decided to move beyond the externals of life and look within. As he “peeled back the masks,” he accepted that his identity was not Julius the wide receiver. There were many facets of who he was that he was never vulnerable enough with himself to explore and then embrace. He studied “Socrates, Eckhart Tolle, Aquinas, Brene Brown, George Mumford, David Hawkins, Dr. King, etc.” Through sincere self-assessment, he delved into his passions, interests, fears, relationships, and hopes, and contemplated what really brings meaning to life. Thomas moved confidently forward after football due to the role self-assessment played in deciphering his direction in this new chapter of life. In “For Broncos’ Thomas, Faith Drives His Football,” Paul Klee states that Thomas had two playbooks while with the Broncos: the football playbook and his Bible. A verse important to him is 2 Timothy 1: 7, which reads “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” With the Lord’s help, Thomas believes that he can NOW (1-800-784-8669). You’ll fi nd many free resources to help you quit, such as apps, a motivational text service, and a chat line at the websites BeTobaccoFree.hhs.gov and Smokefree.gov. If you need extra motivation to quit, consider the health of your friends and family: Being around other people’s smoke, called secondhand smoke, is dangerous. Thousands of adult nonsmokers die of stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer caused by secondhand smoke. Visit #OurHearts for inspiration on what others around the country are doing together for their heart health. Then join the #OurHearts movement and let NHLBI know what you’re doing with friends, family, or others to have a healthy heart. Tag #OurHearts to share how you're being heart healthy together. boldly step out of football knowing that his identity is not defi ned by the pigskin. He knows that he is a special creation in the Lord’s sight. Julius trusts God for his daily life and his future. Thomas is convinced that the Lord directs the heart and is confi dent that He will work through him to faithfully serve his peers in this new capacity and calling. It is so easy to be defi ned by past achievements or one’s career, especially for professional athletes. In making a major shift in voFellow of Grove City College’s career services offi ce and the coordinator of the Center for Vision & Values working group on calling. ~ Help Wanted ~ Three (3) temp farmworkers needed 4/1/19 – 11/1/19. Workers will perform duties on a Christmas Trees farm which may include planting and cultivating. Workers will have extensive periods of sitting, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, repetitive movement, frequent stooping and lifting 75lbs. Must have 3 months experience erences. May random drug test at employer’s expense. Guaranteed at least 3/4 of contract hours but hours will vary according to weather and crop conditions. Hours may exceed or be less than 40 hours. Work tools, supplies, equipment provided at no cost. Housing provided for non-commuting workers at no cost. Transportation & subsistence reimbursed to worker upon completion of 50% of contract or earlier if appropriate. $13.25/hr or current applicable AEWR. Raise/bonus at employer Applicants should report or send a resume to the #211946. Maple Row Farm – Easton, CT. ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ CITY OF EVERETT PURCHASING DEPARTMENT cational calling, Julius Thomas has demonstrated a personal identity based in a commitment to service, true self-knowledge, and an unswerving trust in his Heavenly Father. He has discerningly and confi dently transitioned from an illustrious NFL career to a calling of being devoted to bettering the lives of his NFL colleagues. —Dr. Jim Thrasher is the Senior 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 6, 2019 “Planning, Engineering and Implementation of up to three Neighborhood Street Calming ” bids@ci.everett.ma.us Robert Moreschi February 22, 2019
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