“The best thing to do when you find yourself in a hurting or vulnerable place is to surround yourself with the strongest, finest, most positive people you know.”—Kristin Armstrong
You see the caliber of people with whom you have surrounded yourself when you at your lows—not when you are on top. People always gather around the winner, but who is there when you lose?
My young son was handed his first defeat last night in MMA. He had an off night. He was slow to come out into the crowd who had come to support him. He had hoped he had gathered his emotions. They were impossible to contain.
Of course, he had the support of mom and dad. That should be expected. I watched the wonderful young lady who so visibly loves him as he loves her wait patiently as he spilled his emotions on my shoulder (multiple times) and his mother’s. When it was her turn, she looked at me as if to ask my permission. She didn’t say a word. She just held him. She just let him feel. She is, what my dad would have called “a keeper.” After another hug from me and a long hug from his mom, I watched as a teammate came over, hugged him, and told him how much he is loved by his team. (There is an incredible bond among these very tough men. MMA is an individual sport, yet none of these athletes compete in isolation.) I watched the friends who came out to watch him offer my son the same love and support they shared in his two victories. I am grateful for his coaches who see the future in my son and who give me no reason to doubt that they have is long-term success and (more importantly) his well-being in mind.
While disappointment is hard, it is sometimes necessary for one’s long-term growth. Moreover, it is the light that reveals our true friends and supporter.
Defeat is sometimes a greater source for a parent’s pride. Of course, I will boast when my son wins (and there will be many more victories to come), but there is a greater sense of pride in seeing how one’s child handles disappoint. Moreover, there is greater sense of satisfaction in seeing the impact said child has on others. Seeing my son allow his vulnerability to show and to see his friends and teammates rally to fill the void was heartwarming.
Our “best” today may not measure as “success”, but these are the times that the best in others reveals itself. My son got a taste of how blessed he is last night. Such friends, coaches, and teammates are hard to come by.
Find this people in your life. Be these people in the lives of others
Thank you to the few such people in my life and to many who show up for my son.
God bless.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!!