Human Nature

This lesson is not a lesson you learn in a day, week, month, or maybe even a year. However we all know this to be true by the time we get serious about anything.

As small children, we never think about doing one thing, and if you did, all the more respect to you. For the majority of us, we bounced from one activity to the next, all the while trying to find something we would enjoy for more than a week. Most of us would do the summer or fall seasons of soccer, little league, or peewee. The most consistent part of the year was going to school. School was probably the most influential factor in learning this lesson for most people, but for those of us who were also dedicated to one sport for long time periods, or those who were home schooled, the lesson might have come earlier.

For myself it was a mix of my different gymnastics teams, and my groups of friends in school that drove home the fact that, those you surround yourself affect you and certain aspects of your life.
In gymnastics, and other aspects of life, your motivation, work ethic, and honor are greatly affected by those whom you surround yourself with. Friends who work hard, stay honest, and keep you accountable affect you positively. They further emphasize good traits by actively performing them and unintentionally making some of those around them self-conscious of their actions, especially the bad ones. In gymnastics, if you have a motivated team you keep up with your workouts and consequently get faster, stronger, and better at the sport. I wouldn't be at the level I am today without my teams. I wouldn't have had the motivation to push through the rough days where all I wanted to do was take a nap, or eat. Friends who are not that invested in the activity or program you are a part of, have no respect for it, or don't care enough to stay honest, typically have a negative impact on you. You no longer have a need to stay honest or motivated.

Right now I'm working out with the club gymnastics team and it has proven to be a test. We do not currently have a coach and right now everyone is in the process of coming off of break. People are still being lazy and without a coach we have to keep ourselves accountable, and continue to workout to get better. It is always easier with a leader who is solid in their resolve. Since I'm missing that now I'm having to rely on myself and my new teammates. Specifically, me and my friend Laith have a mutualistic relationship, where we have mutual dependence on each other to keep our motivation, work ethic, and honesty from disappearing.

By human nature we want to fit in with those around us. Consequently we copy those around us, whether it is their actions, attitudes, or aspirations. Some are good, some bad, some worse than others. The ultimate goal is to find that just-right-fit where you have others push you in a positive direction while being able to keep your identity from changing.


Alright so today's "basics of gymnastics" is a little of its history. Beginning in Ancient Greece, gymnastics actually was used as a way of training their soldiers. They took part in running, jumping, and tumbling like exercises, as well as strenuous strength activities to tone and discipline their bodies.

"Random question gymnast's get" of the day: Can you do that thing where you hold yourself on the rings with your arms straight out? Yes. It's called an Iron Cross, or just cross, and I can do it. Girls do not do rings though so don't ask any female gymnasts, most of them can't. But I'm sure there are some who can.

Skill of the day: Thomas. This is a 1 1/2 flipping, 1 1/2 twisting tumbling skill that you roll out of. It is in the process of being banned as it is one of the more dangerous skills in the sport. This is due to the fact that you are basically putting yourself in the situation of landing on your head, and breaking your neck.