I just finished Anthony Robles’ book, Unstoppable. I enjoyed Kyle Maynard’s, No Excuses, last fall. Today, I saw the story of Kent State Tuscarawas freshman Zion Clark—a wrestler with caudal regression syndrome. I am already inspired by the sport of wrestling, but these stories (and there are many more) take it to the next level. These are wrestlers who defied the doubters and did the impossible. These are wrestlers who did not let their limitations define them.
“Can’t” is not welcome in my home. I try to instill the desire in my children to always do their best and never make excuses. I am harder on myself—though I wish I had embraced this attitude much earlier in life. It took me many decades to realize that my limitations did not define me—and that my limits were a self-created box (or prison cell). “Can’t”, I had to learn, does nothing.
We are who we are for a Purpose. Anthony Robles knew at a young age that his missing leg is his purpose, not his burden. Wrestling is a metaphor for life. Dan Gable said that “once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life is easy.” I think this is not unlike the statement: “that which does not kill you makes you stronger” (Friedrich Nietzsche). Those who overcome physical limitations to excel in wrestling show us that there is nothing stronger than the will.
Self-doubt is more debilitating than a missing limb or limbs. I often think of the story from the Bible in which Peter walks out on the water to Jesus. He begins to sink, not from a lack of faith in Jesus, but rather from his lack of faith in himself. We, too, let our self-doubt and distorted perception of our abilities limit our success.
Don’t under-value yourself. Work to strengthen your weaknesses and play (wrestle) to your strengths. Don’t put limits on yourself. Believe.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!