“Sometimes when you get disappointment it makes you stronger.”—David Rudisha
I write about my kids quite often. What can I say? I am a proud father. I am most proud when I see the response of my children to defeat or “failure”. My son has surprised me more than a few times with his level of maturity and tenacity. This week was no exception.
We were pretty confident that he would make his select lacrosse team as a goalie. They were to take only two goalies, and only two showed up for the Saturday practice/tryout. There were three goalies on Sunday, but with his performances this season, we felt certain that he would be selected. We learned on Monday that he did not.
My stomach sank when I got the news. I was certain that he would be devastated. I considered what I would say for my entire commute home from work. Well, apparently, the things I have been saying to my children over the last 11 years have registered. As it was, I didn’t have to say much. He told me that he was disappointed, but pointed out that the alternates get to practice with the select team. He had determined that he would go to every practice and “show the coaches”. What an attitude!
When we are disappointed, we have two choices—always, we have choices! We can 1) quit, or 2) we can step up and prove our detractors wrong. In life, after all, there are only winners and learners. We are disappointed more often than we win. Thus, we are (or should be) learners. We take what we get, and we grow. No complaining, just more effort to get better.
I was afraid that my son might lose interest in playing goalie. Instead, he insisted that he wanted to be in the cage the next game. Indeed, I saw a bit more determination in his eyes that game. Yeah, I am a proud father.
Whatever our circumstances, we have an opportunity to rise up and show the world what it is missing. So, let’s do this!
Carpe momento!