From the time my daughter was eight years old, she had set her sights on becoming an amazing volleyball player. She even told us that when she grew up, she was going to be a professional volleyball player and then be a veterinarian in her spare time. While reality has set in about her career choices, her dream of becoming a strong volleyball player has never waivered. In fact, despite having had some coaches that sat her on the sidelines and didn’t believe in her, instead of quitting, her reaction was to work harder—she determined that she was going to prove them wrong. She went to extra clinics, lobbied us to send her for some private lessons, and put her whole heart into improving as a player. Last season she was actually a starter on both her high school and her club volleyball teams as a right side hitter...her hard work and positive attitude had paid off.
Unfortunately, in spring she began to experience extreme pain in her shoulder, which is not good for a player who depends on getting power from a strong overhead swing. She ended up once again sitting on the sidelines—yet another set back. True to form, instead of giving up on herself, she decided to improve her passing as this did not involve her shoulder. Her injury did keep her off the high school varsity team, but it does look like her improved passing may earn her a defensive position on the JV team where she will only need to pass.
So let’s focus back on why I felt compelled to write this blog in the first place. Life is going to continually present us with challenges. When these challenges arise, how will you react? Will you give up just because others don’t believe in you, or will you prove them wrong? When you get injured will you just give up on exercising altogether, or will you find some other way to move your body? If you have one bad meal or day will you just throw the towel in and stop eating healthy, or will you realize one small detour should not take you away from the ultimate prize—a more flabulous you?