Sometimes life puts obstacles in your way and you persevere. Other times you wait for until you can do it without repercussions. Other times you just aren't meant to go that way. For all little gymnasts the goal is the Olympic Games; who doesn't want to go halfway across the world to show they're the best in the world? But for some of us accident-prone, over-striving, constantly hurt people, that goal is a little difficult. Once you pass 10 broken bones among other problems you realize this.
I mean for a gymnast who started late, and has been broken himself enough to lose over two years of training, a fifth of all my training years (yes, I have done the math...), I think I've done OK for myself. The moment I realized my childhood dream was a little too far in the distance, and I wasn't going to have the ample time to make it, It may sound like I gave up, but I'm still training and putting myself in harms way so I don't think I've completely given up yet. I have accepted the outcome where it doesn't become a reality though because my circumstances over the years didn't permit major success. I swear, every time I got hurt again it was like God saying, "stop it, this isn't for you." I thought it was a test of determination, but if it is, it has yet to end so... I think it was supposed to be a stop sign... oh well!
In life you need to learn how to take signals. I did not. You also need to accept what happens in life and move on. What happens, happens, it's already occurred and you can't change it so move on. It's in the past and nothing can be done to prevent it (unless you can time travel) so there's no point in stressing over it. This is possibly one of the most valuable lessons my experience as a gymnast has taught me and that I can pass on. To have stress after something occurs that you cannot do anything about is wasted energy. To learn how to let it roll off your shoulder, motivate you to improve, and continue living without stress is monumentally important to a good life. No stress, no mess!
In the end, the road I led in this sport didn't and won't pass by or end in an Olympic Games, but I love it anyways so what's the point in worrying about it.
Gymnastics background: Gymnastics became a sport officially in 1862, and was performed in the Olympics first in 1896 by men. In 1928 it was first introduced in the Olympics on the women's side.
Question of the Day: Can you put your leg behind your head? Yes, I have heard this one before, even though it's closer to some yoga pose I believe. Yes I can, but it is extremely uncomfortable.
Skill of the Day: Yurchenko 3/2. This vault with an extra full 360 twist is extremely popular among elite gymnasts(mostly women), because it's competitive yet very doable.
No stress, no mess. That's an awesome way to think about. I couldn't agree with you more about how there's no point in stressing over things that have already happened. Anything that is in the past is by default outside of our control (though I'm still working on that time machine), so we really should just move on. And if you can take some experience like that and make it motivate you instead of defeat you, more power to ya! I also am very impressed that you can put your leg behind your head; I'm pretty sure that would be the death of me.
ReplyDeleteThis post was very powerful; I could really feel your conflicting emotions. Unfortunately, the fact that we cannot actually do anything we put our minds to is something that we all have to except at some point. Some of your grammar seemed a little off though; be sure to read over your post again before you publish. Also, I have to wonder, how do Olympic gymnasts get on and go along that path?
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