“Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday.”
–Wilma Rudolph
My son went 0-3 in middle school wrestling last night, and I couldn’t be prouder. For the first time, he consistently walked off the mat with a smile despite having lost. In the past he would be moping and emotionally defeated. Yesterday, he seemed accepting of lesson (in wrestling, it is said, there are only winners and learners.
I knew going into this season that it would be a challenge for him. He is a young 8th grader (still only 13 years old). He is big (6’ and 168 lb) going up against kids who are further along the path of puberty. I was there many years ago. I remember the physical awkwardness. I remind him that this will pass.
The middle schoolers were wrestling on a single regulation mat that was divided into 8 “mats”. He had barely space to turn around, let alone wrestle. Nevertheless, he made due.
I was impressed with what he showed he could do. He wrestled the best I have seen him wrestle off the bottom. He was pinned twice—once by an extremely well-timed half by a very strong kid and once being caught trying a risky move—but (considering the postage stamp on which he was wrestling) he was beginning to chain together sit-outs and Gramby rolls off the bottom. He was taking risks and trying new things. There is always risk of failure when one steps out of his or her comfort zone; there is always an opportunity to learn.
Our greatest success comes from facing challenges and learning from failure. Leaning to “pick up after a crushing defeat” is key to long-term success. Personally, I hope my son (and all his teammates) sticks with wrestling to experience the success that extends beyond the mat. He certainly showed me yesterday that he is on that path.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!