... besides the fact that I posted two entries on one night, I mean. Found this on a friend's blog. It originated on FastRunningBlog.com and comes from a swim coach. Enjoy!
"Last week, we had a Mom come to us and "inform us" that her 13-year-old daughter would be gone for two weeks vacation in late June, maybe another week after that.
Her daughter was not much of an age group swimmer, but she has some endurance capacity and comes regularly to workout at 5:30 am and again at 5:30 pm daily. She works hard, demonstrates little talent, but lots of determination.
Her mother is not athletic and clearly does not value athletics. We expressed our dismay that she'd be missing for 2-3 weeks in the middle of the most important training of the summer. Her mother's response?
"Who cares, she'll never be an Olympic swimmer, so what does it matter really?"
This is a dagger in the heart to any swimming coach, and it is to me.
If we only cared about and worked hard with, those 52 people who will eventually, once every four years, go off to the Olympic Games, it would be a small, empty and meaningless sport.
My response was "That's really not it."
What is it?
It is the fact that young people need to learn to dedicate themselves to something that is difficult, something that requires perseverance, guts and the daily determination to get your butt out of bed and go out and push your body till it can't go anymore.
Why do they need to learn this?
Because their lives are too easy, too soft, too catered-for. Too many people carry them, make excuses for them, never allowing them to try to be "heroic." Is it "heroic" to get your butt out of bed and go swim at 5 am? It is if you haven't done it before. Is it heroic to "make" 10x200 fly on 4:00? It is if you haven't ever done it before. Is it heroic to finish your swim and turn around and cheer for the teammate who is even further behind than you are, and is struggling to make the set? Need I say it? It is if you've never done it before.
And that is what "It" is about. About doing what you haven't done before. And learning that sometimes you succeed. Sometimes you fail. If you fail, you go again until you learn to succeed.
It's not about being an Olympian. It's about being Olympian. Learning to be a hero.
And what it takes to learn that.
Or, you can Be Comfortable and teach your child that it's more important to be Comfortable.
So, if that's your choice, I only have one question?
What will happen to your child on the day when they are made "uncomfortable" by life?"
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Caleb's Birthday Party
Last Saturday I did the brave and noble thing and hosted a birthday party for Caleb. He invited 9 boys (8 made it, why can't my parties have that great a turn-out?). The theme was a Super Hero Training Camp. Doctor Disaster and Commander Chaos were threatening to take away Summer Vacation, along with other dasterdly deeds. It was our job to train to become Super Heros.
First the boys picked out their Super Hero name, power and drew a costume. They each made Dog Tags (we were at a training camp, of course.) We needed to find and remove all of the Kryptonite in the area. Then we had to learn to aim at villians with water balloons. We played blob tag for team work and then went through the obsticle course at the park. When we returned, we discovered that the villians had stolen the birthday presents! It was time to cape-up, armed with silly string to take them down. The villians were soon located and I'm happy to say that the Super Heros won the day and the presents were soon returned. Caleb had a great time, with a fun cake and a lot of presents!
On a side note, a good dad and uncle are ones that are willing to dress up silly and be attacked by 10 crazy little boys.
First the boys picked out their Super Hero name, power and drew a costume. They each made Dog Tags (we were at a training camp, of course.) We needed to find and remove all of the Kryptonite in the area. Then we had to learn to aim at villians with water balloons. We played blob tag for team work and then went through the obsticle course at the park. When we returned, we discovered that the villians had stolen the birthday presents! It was time to cape-up, armed with silly string to take them down. The villians were soon located and I'm happy to say that the Super Heros won the day and the presents were soon returned. Caleb had a great time, with a fun cake and a lot of presents!
On a side note, a good dad and uncle are ones that are willing to dress up silly and be attacked by 10 crazy little boys.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Empty Buckets....
Our Relief Society is still on the post-retreat high from this past weekend. It was so nice to visit, eat, laugh, eat, be goofy,and eat, just as sisters, mothers, sisters in the church, whatever you want to (eat) call it! Our RS still had a little feel of Auburn Bay group, Cranston group and I would like to think that a lot of that has been blurred. At least for me anyways.
I hit a temple session before starting the festivities with a couple of ladies from the ward. It was nice, calm and quiet. Something I haven't felt in a while, worrying about kids and going on a Saturday.
Kelly gave a great message about sacrifice. She encouraged us to find something that we needed to do (ie scripture study), figure out the time we could sacrifice (ie 15 minutes) and then double that, creating a true sacrifice.
Then the night was filled with games, talking, quilt tying and just getting to know each other in a true girly fashion.
The next day involved a loose list of things we could do before heading home. I just loved it! What a great way to get to know people better and to get together!
The theme for this event was filling our empty buckets, one drop at a time. It was a nice call to remember that while we as women give and give until our buckets are empty, we do need to do things to fill it back up again. Can't give everything you have when there's nothing left to give.
Love you ladies that came and missed the ones that weren't able!
(I had so much fun that I forgot to pull out my camera and take pictures, sorry about that! While a post is good with words, it's better with a picture. Enjoy!)
I hit a temple session before starting the festivities with a couple of ladies from the ward. It was nice, calm and quiet. Something I haven't felt in a while, worrying about kids and going on a Saturday.
Kelly gave a great message about sacrifice. She encouraged us to find something that we needed to do (ie scripture study), figure out the time we could sacrifice (ie 15 minutes) and then double that, creating a true sacrifice.
Then the night was filled with games, talking, quilt tying and just getting to know each other in a true girly fashion.
The next day involved a loose list of things we could do before heading home. I just loved it! What a great way to get to know people better and to get together!
The theme for this event was filling our empty buckets, one drop at a time. It was a nice call to remember that while we as women give and give until our buckets are empty, we do need to do things to fill it back up again. Can't give everything you have when there's nothing left to give.
Love you ladies that came and missed the ones that weren't able!
(I had so much fun that I forgot to pull out my camera and take pictures, sorry about that! While a post is good with words, it's better with a picture. Enjoy!)
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The 10 minute Tidy....
We've been encouraged to look for the hand of the Lord in our lives, every day. Here's one of mine.
Monday was a sucky day. The kids were happier making the mess and watching me clean it up. I handle that VERY poorly. (I know shocked, aren't you?) So, after banishing them to the outer reaches of ... their bedroom, I picked up until I was good and cranky and then I sat down in front of the computer to mope a little bit. (Hey, it's better then yelling, not as instantly gratifying, but better. Aren't we all supposed to look for the "better" things in our lives?)
Back to the moping. So, I was moping at the computer. It's a fabulous image of me, sitting, in front of the computer, trying to figure out what to do since I had blog-hopped earlier today. And then - it hit me, and I didn't hit back. I remember several family home evenings where we "helped" my mom clean up. She'd made several different attempts to get us to help, but this one worked the best.
I have called it the 10 minute Tidy. It's really simple. We divide into teams (an adult and at least one semi-willing child per team). I have chosen at least 2 rooms/areas that need attention. We split up into said rooms and clean, for - wait for it - 10 minutes. When said 10 minutes are up, we then move to the next area.
I know, awesome isn't it? I could make millions... of things disappear just by forcing my family to help. And the kids (and Dad) like that there's a time limit, so it feels more like a race to see who can clean the most.
Hooray for my mom and hooray for that drop of inspiration in my lap. We will definitely be using this again.
Proof we got some cleaning done. (Or that I was playing with my camera, you be the judge.)
Monday was a sucky day. The kids were happier making the mess and watching me clean it up. I handle that VERY poorly. (I know shocked, aren't you?) So, after banishing them to the outer reaches of ... their bedroom, I picked up until I was good and cranky and then I sat down in front of the computer to mope a little bit. (Hey, it's better then yelling, not as instantly gratifying, but better. Aren't we all supposed to look for the "better" things in our lives?)
Back to the moping. So, I was moping at the computer. It's a fabulous image of me, sitting, in front of the computer, trying to figure out what to do since I had blog-hopped earlier today. And then - it hit me, and I didn't hit back. I remember several family home evenings where we "helped" my mom clean up. She'd made several different attempts to get us to help, but this one worked the best.
I have called it the 10 minute Tidy. It's really simple. We divide into teams (an adult and at least one semi-willing child per team). I have chosen at least 2 rooms/areas that need attention. We split up into said rooms and clean, for - wait for it - 10 minutes. When said 10 minutes are up, we then move to the next area.
I know, awesome isn't it? I could make millions... of things disappear just by forcing my family to help. And the kids (and Dad) like that there's a time limit, so it feels more like a race to see who can clean the most.
Hooray for my mom and hooray for that drop of inspiration in my lap. We will definitely be using this again.
Proof we got some cleaning done. (Or that I was playing with my camera, you be the judge.)
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Sunshine on my front porch...
...makes me happy. I have the best view of the sun for most of the day. It shines right on my front porch, making for a nice place to sit and suntan. I haven't been to the beach, but I look like it! So if you're wanting a tan, a little dose of vitamin D, a reason to get rid of the Seasonal Affect Disorder you have suffered from in the winter months, swing on by. I happily sit with a swimsuit top and a pair of shorts, rolled up just a little bit. Now if only I could figure out how to get my own lemonade boy to bring by ice cold lemonade. Maybe weed the lawn. Fan me. Hmmm....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)