Enjoying the Process

I enjoy a good storm with the wind blowing and the temperature dropping but NOT the night before I am to golf. I listened to it pour down rain last night and this morning I see a small drizzle and a lot of wet grass. I have been up since 5am anticipating my golf game. The news says it should start to get dry by 9am. My tee off is 8:30 am.

Golf is one of those things I look forward to. I like several different aspects of it including the part of trying to win! I have my dad’s “tips” in a small book in my golf bag so I can refresh my mind of good techniques. Improvement is a slow process and very difficult as my handicap gets lower! I know if the clouds clear, today will be more challenging to hit a long ball or get a feel for my putting on wet greens.

Gymnastics is the same way. The higher the level you are training at, the longer it takes to learn new skills. Improvement comes slow, patience is tested and an ongoing motivation is necessary to stay positive until you achieve that new skill. The athlete needs to plan for the progressions and not just wait for the end result. There are many parts to a skill that can be stepping stones to that final accomplishment. Moving from low beam to a higher beam with mats under it may be the best the gymnast can achieve for a few weeks. Eventually, she will get over that hump and make further strides. The better the gymnast gets, the more she needs to look to the process as her success.

My life is like that also. I don’t see my children maturing over night or let alone me becoming a woman of character instantly either. It takes years to become the person, wife and mom that I desire. I would also consider it a mini battle as I seem to move forward some days and others… well the kids can tell you what those days look like! Anything important to you is worth working on and it’s best to learn to enjoy the process.

I may not shoot in the 80’s today in my rain gear but I will enjoy all the other aspects of golf: course management, accuracy, avoiding hazards, building friendships and God’s nature! And yes, as much as I enjoy the “process”, I look forward to the day I break into the 70’s!!!!

“Dignity does not come in possessing honors,
but in deserving them!”
ARISTOTLE

This is one of my favorite quotes for several reasons.

First, because dignity has to do with character and self-respect. This is an inward trait that is expressed outwardly and is not measured against others.

Second, dignity is a form of excellence that can be achieved by everyone. Regardless of our circumstances, our competitive ability or the numbers of awards we have on a shelf, dignity is for those whose heart is worthy.


This is the time at the end of the season when awards will be given out. Certain gymnasts will receive "MVP" because they were the most consistently talented. Others will receive "Most Improved" that is evidenced by an increase in ability. What is difficult to award is character. Many gymnasts "deserve honor" because of who they are. They have a proper sense of self-esteem, they consider other people as important as themselves and they pursue honesty, hard work and humility.

I will have the privilege of talking about each one of our Level 7's this weekend. This is a fabulous group of kids not because they are on the fast track to Level 10 or because they were on the podium at several meets, but because I know their character! I won't be able to give a trophy for their inward qualities, but you can be sure that I will praise each of them verbally for their life long traits they have exhibited!

Cheering from the Bench

Several years ago I used to coach a high school gymnastics team that became very successful. I could compete six gymnasts per event and only have to count four for the overall team score. I had these two “extra” spots to give an opportunity to those that weren’t necessarily the top six and still not put the team’s outcome at risk. I had emphasized throughout the season that every athlete was an important part of the success of our team regardless of scores. Everyone came to practice every day and worked hard with the ability they had. Therefore, each got to compete throughout the regular season and enjoyed our undefeated record.

Unfortunately, when it came to the qualifying meet to states I could not risk using every gymnast in the line-up. Those most likely to contribute to the “team” score had the privilege of competing. My hard work philosophy did not hold much weight when the tangible “scores” were actually going to determine who was sitting on the bench.

This is life. We all work hard and contribute in our own way. Some results are measurable while the intrinsic value of others allow us to cheer from the sidelines. All still making an impact but in a different way.

I no longer hold any “top sales awards” or “highest volume increase” in the country. I now have a husband to encourage in his career and four teenagers to help mature. To many I may be “sitting on the bench” but I am perfectly happy cheering louder than anyone else. My talents are being utilized in a different way and as a mom at home it is right where I need to be for this stage in life.

Gymnastics scores, sales awards, education degrees or even a VP title do not define the value of a person. Your character, integrity and desire to use your gifts for better will give you the best place in life. Whether your talents are measurable or intangible, enjoy the role you are in. I already feel the “bench” warming up and ready to cheer!

Fueling Your Passion

I remember the day I did my first double back on floor by myself. I had been coming in the gym for a 2nd practice each day to prepare for a National competition that was held in the summer. There couldn’t have been more than a few of us there at the time. My gregarious coach, Luke, went to sit back on this yellow bench against the wall and told me that I was ready.

I can still picture him with his arms crossed,exuding confidence in my ability.
I can still feel how my heart was racing with both fear and anticipation.
I can still feel the excitement when I landed my double back.

Luke was as happy as I was. It was like no one else needed to know as Luke and I had enough enthusiasm for the world. He was my biggest cheerleader. He was my motivator, my coach and my friend.

Luke never squelched my eagerness. As a matter of fact- he fueled it! In the 2 years I trained under him, I went from what today is a level 8 to a level 10!

He is the reason why I got a full gymnastics scholarship to college!
He is the reason why I was a courageous gymnast!
He is the reason why I never give up on that gymnast desiring to be her best!

Everyone in life should have a “Luke” behind them; that person who fuels your passion and confidence, who will chase you around the building if you need a swift kick in pants, and who will still remember your success together with affection.

Spring Cleaning

I did some spring cleaning last week. It is not my favorite thing to do yet the results last longer than the dishes, the laundry or making beds. I organized closets, got rid of excess clothing and toys, and vacuumed every nook and cranny in the basement to be “spider free”.

This is where the gymnasts are at the end of the season. Every day they have gone to the gym and have done the same routines and the same drills. They do it one day and the requirements are back again the next. (Kind of like washing that same bath towel that I’ve asked the kids to use more than once before they toss it down the clothes shoot!)

Spring cleaning for the gymnasts will mean getting rid of old fears and old habits. It is a time to re-organize their training with new goals. They are stronger, more confident and better equipped to add new skills to their repertoire. It’s time to start pitching what they no longer need, get to that skill they have been meaning to get to and add a closet full of new attitudes, new goals and new skills!

No "Bail Out"

This past weekend was Level 9/10 Regionals and it was intense for many. Gymnasts were falling right and left and coaches were very animated. Our team, as with the majority, saw our girls make mistakes they had not made all season. Some have the opportunity to go to Nationals and others do not.

One of our gymnasts was 1st up in the meet on beam. She is older and showed tremendous composure. There was no rolling the eyes and frightened body language of being placed in that position of first up. She knew it came down to having intensity in that one routine, regardless of at what point in the competition she was to compete. She looked 10 feet tall up there as if she wanted to let everyone know that this was the routine to beat. She scored a 9.35 taking 4th on the podium!

Another one of our gymnasts fell on a beam skill that she NEVER falls on. She finished her routine fighting to get back every tenth she had just lost! She continued to fight with minimal mistakes on the next 3 routines and is now on her way to L-10 Nationals!

We had a couple athletes perform better than they had all season. They had fixed one thing and then it became another skill to contend with. A fall here, better form there, but never quite pulling it together all in one meet. What an accomplishment to do what you have been trying to do ALL season! I saw a lot of guts and a lot of determination.

There is no “bail out” in gymnastics. No one can come in and pay a judge to change your score and stabilize your emotions. The good news is that the economy of gymnastics is not founded on our meet scores. It is founded on our work ethic and training. As that improves, so will the scores. It’s time to check the stability of our market. Are we trying our best by using all our resources in training and taking advantage of the each practice? Are we keeping our body and mind healthy? Are we saying no to the fears that want to indulge themselves in our minds?

Your investment in training now determines your satisfaction later. It’s about longevity- so pace yourself with an understanding of where you want to be at the end of your gymnastics career.

The Definition of "Fair"

My husband and I have four children - soon to be ALL teenagers! I realized a long time ago (when they were all ages 4 ½ and under!) it was nearly impossible to meet all the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of my family. I decided as a young mom that "fair" does not always mean "equal". “Fair” is what each child needs, when they need it.

Their needs don’t always come at the same time as their siblings. My youngest is now the tallest of the four. He NEEDED new clothes. Little did I know he needed new shoes as he mysteriously walked in the store in a size 6 shoe and NEEDED a size 8! Ooops, I guess he will have to speak up sooner next time!

The two girls travel for gymnastics while the two boys do more local sports. If I tried to spend the same amount of money, or give the same amount of attention all the time to make things "equal" or what some call "fair"– I would die trying. My kids are close in age but still in somewhat different stages. One may need verbal affirmation when the other needs a hug. One may need a gift to show my love for him, while another may need help on his homework. Fixing one child’s phone could be like giving back their oxygen line while the other’s lifeline is just finding their lost ipod.

It’s the same way when I coach. I see different needs at different times from the gymnasts. There are days when one athlete NEEDS to be pushed to be prepared for their next meet. There are times when a girl needs a lighter assignment so her body can rest. Sometimes the child just needs a high five.

The other night I had some kids desperate to have success. Some because they did not qualify to Regionals and others because they need to believe they can compete with the best at Regionals! We took a break from routines and focused on increasing their skill level. Six gymnasts “rang the bell” to show the gym a new trick they learned. It was just what they needed, when they needed it!