A Meaningful Occupation

Select one occupation that is especially meaningful to you or something you do routinely. Discuss this occupation and how it varies based on changes in the context in which this occupation is performed.

• How does the environmental context influence your response to the occupation (e.g., your motivation, mood, and enjoyment)?
• For example, how does eating dinner vary when eating at home, in a cafeteria, at a picnic, or at a formal restaurant?

While growing up in an underserved community, the Eddie Pope Urban League emerged, exposing youth to the game of soccer. At the age of 7, I was taught to “use my head” and to become diverse. This program led me to the sport of soccer and soccer has been so meaningful to me that it’s a routine occupation. Since the age of 7, soccer has helped me understand diverse cultures, ethnic backgrounds, and its help change my perspective on life. Playing soccer afforded the opportunity of playing on the collegiate level which also furthered my education. In 2006,

Gardner-Webb University won its 1^st Men’s soccer championship in the school’s history and being on such a team created such a bond. The bond and memories created are so meaningful and these were produced from the sport of soccer. Currently, I incorporate soccer in my life at least twice a week. This may consist of running or working on cardio so I can play soccer, practicing soccer with my son (once or twice a week), and refereeing games on the weekend as way to give back to the Eddie Pope Urban League.

Growing up, the environment influenced my response to the occupation of soccer. While in the underserved community, I didn’t like playing unless I was at the Boys & Girls Club because I would be picked on and teased, which would negatively adjust my mood, motivation, and enjoyment. Once at home, I knew that I had family to support me which provided me with motivation and sense of security, so I was able to go outside and practice.

While attending Gardner-Webb University, soccer had a different connotation. Soccer was highly competitive (Division I), everyone was aggressive in practice, and practice occurred twice a day. At GWU, outdoors factors may consist of cold temperatures, scorching temperatures (midday), rain, sleet, snow, grass, pollen and other variables in the air. GWU’s indoor environment would consist of the team in the gymnasium because the school didn’t have funds for an indoor turf facility or flooring and one would need indoor soccer shoes.                                                                                               
           Currently, some environmental conditions influence my response because I will no longer play/practice if it’s too cold, hot or wet outside; instead, I’ll play indoor like at the Greensboro Sportsplex. Previously, the weather didn’t matter because I had to practice or play soccer to pay for school. Since my MCL surgery and my days at GWU, I haven’t played soccer competitively in an outdoor environment because it’s harder on my body (slide tackling, more running etc.).            Generally, I’m playing, practicing, training, or refereeing soccer outside. In this environment, one may see me with my son, family, peers, local high/middle school athletes, or children from the Boys & Girls Club. Normally, I play soccer in an outdoor environment but playing indoors has a faster pace and it quickly sharpens one’s skills. In an indoor environment, I could be training my son or local high/middle school athletes, playing in a soccer league on the same team as long-time friends, or refereeing games. Soccer games played indoors seem to be more organized, full of action, and comprised of athletes with an intermediate or above skill level. Soccer in an indoor environment is normally associated with soccer tournaments, which makes me more competitive; whereas, soccer outdoor would make me less competitive unless I was at GWU.