It never fails. The second you feel like you’ve got it together (insert anything you want in place of “it”), you get slapped in the face with reality. Life reminds you that you certainly DO NOT have it together. I suppose it’s just life cycles. Marriage, parenting, jobs, friends, sports. There’s never a point at which you “arrive” at all the knowledge and understanding you need for something, and if…
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Growth Mindset
I watched as she left her group and stood facing her back to them. Arms crossed, and unresponsive to her name, she was clearly upset. Being 10 is hard work. Working among other 8-10’s can sometime exacerbate that difficulty. “I didn’t like that my partners corrected my grip. They’re younger than me and a lower belt than me.” “Hmm…that’s an interesting problem to have, isn’t it?” “It’s just embarrassing. I…
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“Should”…”Says Who?”
“The word ‘should’ always invites the question ‘according to whom?’” -Gavin deBecker “I should be better than I am.” “According to whom?” “You should have this style of Jiu Jitsu.” “According to whom?” “You should be working on such and such.” “According to whom?” “You should be such-and-such belt.” “According to whom?” “You should roll with so-and-so.” “According to whom?” Maybe it’s according to your coach. Listen. Maybe it’s according…
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Handling Excuses in Jiu Jitsu
Most people are easily able to find their excuses. You know, the ones that help write off why something-some move, technique, or concept doesn’t or won’t work for them. Unless you find a way to move past those excuses, you’ll never find your true potential for using something. I tend to process my brain on the outside, not in. I think that’s partly why I’ve always loved writing. Sometimes my…
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Show Up-Even on the “Meh” Days
Last night was an important night. Physically, I felt “meh” all day. Sore, tired, bloated from eating food I don’t normally eat, and just generally “off”. But all weekend I had plans for last night. I had particular things in mind I wanted to do and work on, and I was tired of letting my body dictate whether or not I could do things when I wanted to. So I…
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Today I Didn’t Quit…
Today I didn’t quit. I didn’t give up. I didn’t walk away. I did things that challenged me. I failed at things. I succeeded at others. I chose joy in the midst of struggle. Embraced discomfort in the middle of suckage. Failure doesn’t have to equal giving up. Sometimes it equals growth, but only if you let it. I’d rather fail a hundred times and be a hundred lessons better…