Paused somewhere in between running towards something and running away from something, I found myself stuck in the mud. Or so I thought. As it turns out, it was really dirt, and I was a seed. And seeds don’t have legs, so where was I rushing off to, anyway? My dear friend recently told me, “nothing grows without struggle,” and it’s true. Just think of all the amazing plants and flowers in our world, and little birds pecking their way out of their eggs or becoming brave enough to risk safety for their first flight. Growth is all around us, and it often isn’t easy. But, when we stop resisting and fighting that growth, it may still sting a bit, but it sure does seem to flow a lot smoother.
I’m grateful to have a meaningful story to share where the catch-phrase that came to me in that beautiful in-between moment of wakefulness and sleep may also hold meaning for you.
Visiting the Home of Street Hockey (Leominster, Massachusetts)
But first, the backstory. Late on Thursday night (7/31/25), Liz and I had just gotten home from a whirlwind trip to Massachusetts, doing some ball hockey recon for our vision of growing the game and creating a positive, uplifting community for so many people to enjoy.
We visited the original Mylec offices, situated between two street hockey rinks at the Leominster Dek Hockey complex, with a smaller one off in the distance. Perhaps not by osmosis but more of a fully present passion and excitement, we soaked a tremendous amount of amazing hockey energy and knowledge on this visit!
The trip delivered so much positivity and beautiful insights, along with a generous financial blessing to help us launch our nonprofit securely into the world. The time we spent honestly couldn’t have gone better – the only small detail we’ll catch on the next trip is to touch sand along the Connecticut coastline again like our first New England trip back in October 2023.
A Message Ahead of Hockey Playoffs
Our NBHL team’s playoff game awaited just two days after our return from Leominster, Mass. Still buzzing from the incredible energy of our hockey girls’ overnight at “THE Street Hockey Mecca,” as I’ve heard it called, I couldn’t wait to step onto the rink for our game. Our team, the Penguinas, was seeded 6th out of 6 teams, but we knew that what we lacked in stats we made up in heart.
My alarm went off, breaking me out of my slumber, and I groggily tapped the snooze button, knowing I didn’t have much time to dillydally. Still tired, I dozed lightly for a few moments, half awake and half asleep, and just barely conscious enough to catch a phrase that drifted through my mind like a gentle morning breeze.
Just Start It.
There was no mistaking it. This was a battle cry. Those three words cut through my mind like the referee’s whistle or the buzzer signifying the end of the warmup as the game is about to begin. “Just Start It.” Clear as a bell, and so powerful, positive, and purposeful.
I loved it! And I was grateful and instantly excited.
For a moment my mind flickered over the possibilities of this phrase. Just start it at the hockey game? Just start our new business stuff?! Just start our nonprofit?!
I couldn’t *wait* to start it. Whatever “IT” was… all of it, actually. And I couldn’t wait to tell Liz. And I could already *feel* the significance of this.
I got ready, drove to New Jersey for our hockey playoffs, stretched, and launched a few wrist shots during our warmup. My shot was ON. It felt great. I noticed Liz wasn’t there yet, and moments later I finally saw her heading across the rink.
With a half-hug, still holding my hockey stick in my outside arm, I excitedly told her how I heard this phrase between alarms this morning – “Just Start It”!
Her eyes sparkled with knowing. “Oh, we are!” And she told me something great happened for her, too, with more to come later.
Hockey Teammates Start It Up
The buzzer rang ending the warmup and we huddled up for our team cheer. Liz and I lined up to start the game in the opening faceoff against the Bell Ballers. Play went for a few seconds and moved down to our defensive zone. I saw the opposing defender on Liz’s side with the ball and looking for an outlet.
Immediately sensing that she was about to pass the ball to the other point, and knowing they didn’t realize how fast I was, I hung back just until she committed to the pass. And I love that I had the forethought to do this. With perfect timing, I burst through the gap between the two defensive opponents and got my stick on the ball, deflecting it directly to Liz, who was already on the run and in the exact perfect spot to receive it.
Liz and I tore down the dek toward the opposing goalie. It was a 2 on 1 and Liz buried the ball deep in the top corner of the net. There was no way that wasn’t going in. I FELT this happening before it happened. It was amazing.
Just Start It – A Battle Cry for Life
I can’t exactly explain how this happened, or how I was lucky enough to catch that “Just Start It” encouragement. I hope to attract more beautiful messages for sports and life as I am committed to mindfulness in sports and life. And I am very grateful for this message, as it comes at a beautiful, meaningful time. We aren’t done here.
You see, while I do think “Just Start It” was a perfect mantra going into our playoff game (which we ended up losing, by the way, but still so much fun) – it is also an amazing battle cry for LIFE.
To me, this says – Stop waiting for the right moment or until you’re “ready.” Just Start It. There are so many right moments, and most of the time you never feel truly “ready” to get started anyway. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t ready. Often we get stuck in analysis paralysis and the what-ifs. More likely, we were born ready and we just don’t give ourselves enough credit or courage. Embrace that, be confident, and just keep putting one foot in front of the other, enjoying each step in the journey.
Oh, and let go of perfectionism. Nothing has to be perfect. Nothing.
Just start it. Then, make it better.
Some Key Takeaways…
After these awesome experiences and how everything played out for us, I’d love to share the insights and takeaways in case they help you, too.
- Take the Trip! We were gone about 33 hours and in that time, we had amazing conversations, soaked up tons of knowledge, immersed ourselves in hockey history and embraced the very setting of the home of street hockey. We dined on delicious food, indulged in warm Doubletree chocolate chip walnut cookies, enjoyed girl talk and bonding over a beverage, and humbly accepted incredibly kind donations of precious time, brand-new hockey gear and sticks, and generous financial support. And this all happened despite being on the road for at least 12-14 of those hours! Car conversations with the right people are the best!
- Spend more time with your people. Whether it’s a rink or any setting at all, make a conscious effort to surround yourself with the people who lift you up. Spend time with those who help you naturally feel like the best version of yourself. You know, the ones where you feel better, lighter, even, after you’ve spent time together. Be a magnet and attract more of those kinds of people! And don’t forget to shine your light and be that person for others.
- Elevate your game by building your relationships. Playing on the same team as your friends is really awesome, and the more teams you play on, the more friends you’ll likely find. Team bonding on and off the rink truly does make a difference in the game, too. Make those connections strong. All three of my years playing in the NBHL (National Ball Hockey League) I have found myself on teams with truly kind, supportive, and wonderful players, some who’ve become my closest friends. And now the more we play together, the more my passes are transforming into assists. Everything levels up!
- Whether it’s sports or life, just start it. Feel it and take action. Another friend put it this way – “Think it, do it.” If you feel inspired, act on it. If it means enough to you to think of doing something, especially if it helps others, go for it.
I’ve found that by slowing down and paying more attention, I am sometimes able to bring more presence into my day. I catch and create beautiful moments like this intentionally. And now, meaningful life advice seems more within reach than ever before.
Whether it’s something for work, sports, or life, if it means something to you – “JUST START IT”!
xoxo,
Kate