The numerous accounts of neardeath experiences that I’ve read are all remarkably similar. While moving toward a bright light, there’s an epiphany. Later, armed with a new, enlightened perspective, these individuals share profound, instructive wisdom they have gained about what’s truly important in life.
I have never had a near-death experience, but every now and then I see a parent or coach say or do something that makes me wonder: If he/she could see or hear him/herself from that higher-level state of clarity, would he/she behave differently? (I think yes.) So for the purpose of this column, I’ve decided to pretend that I’ve just returned from a near-death experience — where I hovered above hockey rinks, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, soccer pitches and backyards around the world. Yup, I was in paradise for only a few moments, but that’s all it took to illuminate several truths about youth sports. I know some of this is going to be hard to believe or accept. From my perspective in the infinite, however, all of the following was self-evident.