Impact Of Sports On Mind And Life

Joy is the second name of sport

By sports we mean out-door recreations. There are two elements in it; first, the element of joy or amusement derived from bodily exercise; and secondly, the element of physical culture. But in sports, the first element predominates the second. The spirit of joy always pervades in sports. In this respect sports differ from games, indoor or outdoor; the main aim of which is the development of the body. For example, when a person is busy with his dumb-bells in the corner of a room, he is engaged in physical exercise, pure and simple; but when he goes out for hunting, boating, racing or a football match, he goes out primarily for enjoy himself and to derive some physical benefit out of his sport. Recreation is the principal factor which distinguishes sports from other forms of physical exercise.

If by education we mean the development of mind and body, then sports admirably serve that purpose. They benefit both the mind and the body. It is one of the peculiar paradoxes of life that when we consciously seek for joy, half the joy and happiness is lost. Real enjoyment comes unconsciously. In sports, we go out to enjoy ourselves and the physical benefit, we are likely to derive, is not the uppermost in our mind. It is for this very reason that it benefits the body so well. Our body profits by sports more or less unconsciously. There is no sense of dullness in it, as it is often associated with body-building or wrestling. Each movement in hunting or boating or cricket match is full of new thrills, keeping our spirits high. As there is an intimate connection between our mind and body, what benefits the mind, influences the body as well and bring an additional charm in the form of recreation or amusement.
The joy of sports are unexpected, and therefore, keen. No doubt we go out for recreation, but we have no idea of the nature of joy which we will get. Each stage of the game has its peculiar thrills. When a man goes out to hunt, at every step new arrangements become necessary. This newness is kept up till the end, affording him new variety of joy. So is the case with boating and football. Moreover, success at every stage is a new incentive and prolongs the period of recreation. The succession of new thrills and joys are not to be found in the same degree in other forms of physical culture, the principal aim of which is the development of muscles. Now it is an undeniable fact that joy is essential to life; it prolongs life and makes it worth living. The hardships of life are enough to fill man with miser, and the only way to go in life smoothly is to store up the moments of joy. And these moments are given to us by sports. Herein lies the greatest service of sports to life.
Presence of mind is another virtue which we associate with sports. The varying situations and sudden changes teach us the necessity of adaptability to new circumstances. A losing match may be won by the sudden presence of mind of the captain and his team. When we read the tales of hunting, we are simply astonished at the presence of mind of hunters. Everyone in his childhood has read about the hunter who, on the point of being attacked by a bear, stopped breathing and was, consequently, left out as a dead man. To do exactly what is required of a man at the proper moment, is a virtue which stands him in good stead in life, this quality is best learned through sports and games.
Not less important is the coolness of temper and steadfastness which we find in sportsmen, specially in big-game hunters. Repeated dangers and reverses harden them and strengthen their nerves. Coolness in the face of danger and firmness of purpose are the qualities, we derive from sports.
The dangers which strengthen the nerves of sportsmen also teach them to feel love for their comrades in peril. Danger is a mighty leveler. All barriers of rank, age or wealth disappear. Face to face with danger and death, we realize that a true friend and neighbor is one who stands by us in the hour of peril. A warm fellowship springs among sportsmen, such as is rare in other spheres of life. They will gladly forgo any comfort to make their comrades happy; they will risk even their lives to help them. This spirit which inspires sportsmen is very praise-worthy.
A sportsman is also noted for his sense of discipline and willing obedience to law. This sense of discipline is so important that when one breaks it, one is severely punished for his unsportsmanlike conduct. Thus, unity among players is so great that the team as whole has to suffer simply due to the fault of one. Like soldiers, they rise and fall together.
Another virtue which we find in a sportsman is his abiding sense of honor and truthfulness. Frank and straight forward in his ways, he is always open and frank. A strict sense of honor marks in his conduct. So intimately is the sense of honor bound up with sports that when we speak of sports-manly conduct, or fair play, we mean only a high sense of honor. A sportsman will rather lose the game than be false to his honor. Allied to his honor is, his sense of truthfulness. He hates telling lies; he is thoroughly honest.
These are the mental and moral advantages and impacts of sports and games "Waterloo was won on the play-grounds of Eton." This remark is not far from truth. Sports teach us presence of mind, coolness of nerves, fellow-feeling, sympathy and discipline. These are soldierly qualities. These endow a man with true sense of honor and fill him with joy. A true sportsman feels and realizes, more than any other person, the true joy, entertainment, happiness of life and friendship. And we can say sport is the simple way of being happy.

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