Does the most important life lesson I can teach my daughter come from sports?

This past weekend I had a wonderful opportunity to begin teaching my daughter, Kelsey, who recently turned four, how to hit a wiffle ball.  After several failed attempts to make contact with the ball I could tell she was getting a little frustrated.  No problem, I thought, for me sports are a metaphor for the rest of our lives.  What will she do when life gives her a ball she cannot yet hit?

To my incredible surprise I listened to her begin this wonderful monologue.  Very quietly she began saying to herself, "Come on Kelsey.  You can do it Kelsey.  I know you can".  My heart melted.  At four years old my little girl was demonstrating the quality I want most for her to possess; a belief in herself.
With a belief in herself she can withstand the trials life will surely bring her way.  With a belief in herself she has a chance of making the right decision when faced with the overwhelming peer pressure she will encounter in the not too distant future.  With a belief in herself she has the opportunity to fulfill her maximal potential in life, whatever it may be.

Notice, it is not important whether she hit the ball or not.  In fact, we tried quite unsuccessfully for some time to hit it.  What is important is through all the attempts she maintained a belief in herself.  She believed that despite the current outcome she would eventually prevail.  This confidence gives rise to one of the great traits in human existence, resilience or "grit".  Dr. Angela Lee Duckworth from the University of Pennsylvania has spent years researching this type of resilience she calls "grit" and believes it is the most important trait in determining successful life outcomes.

Sport by its very nature yields competitive outcomes. In sports there are winners and there are losers, correct?  No, in sports there are only winners.  Sport participation has the capacity to teach us self confidence and resilience in life.  When the outcome for all participants is the growth and development of these types of traits, everyone wins.

So can sports teach my daughter the most important lessons in life?  My answer....Play ball!