Struggle to Succeed

Before success comes struggle.  Have we stopped to think about that?  Have we shared with our kids that truth?  Struggle not only comes before success in the dictionary, but in life.  I was reminded of this when I read Keith Griesser’s Facebook post.

            “Tonight is a tough night. About 80 kids tried out for the RSMS boys basketball teams. For about 50 young men, they were "cut" for the first time in their life.
Yes it is part of life. Yes, it is important to learn to overcome disappointment.... But it's still tough.

I hope those who made the team don't ever take it for granted.
And I hope that those who didn't make the team go play league ball, work on their skills, and improve enough to beat somebody out next year.

Michael Jordan was cut his freshman year of high school. He won 6 NBA Championships.

Coach McIntyre told me that he was cut from his middle school team. He ended up starting on the 1998 Scott Co High State Championship Team”.

A friend replied, “My freshman year in high school football, I was put on the B team, cut in baseball, and basketball. God had a plan for me that could only have been written by him. The motivation of my setbacks drove me to prove to everyone that I was someone different. Football and life has worked out for me, and I attribute it to someone telling me no”.

Another friend replied, I saw a young man try out and not make it at Rsms previously. I've been with the program now 7 years... I saw him come out after working SO hard in the gym since last year this time and he made everyone take notice! He did amazing! He made the team! We are going to see him and many from this Rsms squad coming up for a long time!  It made my year to see this 8th grader make the team and CRY! He earned it and it meant the world to him. Never give up is what we always tell the boys!!”

One thing on my bucket list is to run a 5K.  I have walked/shuffled a couple of races, but have never run the whole race.  I would rather eat chocolate chip cookies than run.  Running, ok exercise in general, is a struggle for me.  One day though, I will finish that race.  Oh what a personal success that will be!  Life is NOT about getting our way all the time or expecting something different to happen without making changes.  It is about being told NO sometimes.  It is about setting a goal and doing what is needed to succeed.  It’s about the STRUGGLE.  Let’s teach our kids how to turn a struggle into success.