Last year, our daughter – former daisy picker and butterfly chaser on the soccer field– decided she wanted to try competitive cheer.
No experience stunting, jumping and barely able to do a forward roll, she arrived at the doorstep of her cheer team completely green, was welcomed with open arms– and for the first time in her 6 years of life– she was more than a little nervous.
I remember her coming over to me crying during the water break at her first practice. When I asked what was wrong she confided in me, through tears “I don’t know how to do the things the other girls can do. I keep messing up.”
My heart sank a little. When she played soccer, she never cried that she couldn’t play as well as the other kids. In fact, I’m not sure she even cared enough to notice- but this was different- this was something she wanted to do but was scared she couldn’t.
Her coach noticed she was upset, took her aside and explained to her that every one of those girls started where she was and that with hard work and practice, she could learn to do what they were doing also.
She mustered up the courage to continue and ended up having a year full of great memories with new friends, team work, a few medals… and just like that she fell in love with cheer.
Now at the beginning of a new season, my once intimidated little girl came to me confidently with a goal– to get her back walk-over by the end of summer–a relatively basic step for some, but for her tumbling has been a challenge.
So in addition to her weekly cheer practices, we set up some private lessons and every time we enter the car to a practice she energetically says, “I’m going to get it today, Mom! I know I can do it!”
She continues to say this –enthusiastically– even after she doesn’t “get it”.
She sounds like the poster child for goal-digging.
She works hard but doesn’t get discouraged or hung up on failure.
Every day for her is a like fresh page.
Basically, the polar opposite of me as a child.
Whose child is this? Are we sure she’s mine?
Can you imagine how refreshing each day would be if we all had that attitude toward our own challenges and goals?
“I’m going to get it today! I know I can do it!”
Fast forward 3 weeks, and this happened….
Technically this is considered a “kick over”– not a walk over…
Technically she still doesn’t nail it every time– or most times…
And Technically, in the tumbling world, this is somewhat of a baby step to her end goals…
BUT she is growing stronger, more determined and closer to her goal every day.
Don’t Limit Your Challenges. Challenge Your Limits.
Inspirational Jewelry company, Endorphin Warriors recently teamed up with Muscular Dystrophy Association for their “Live Unlimited” campaign to help kids and adults with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases live longer and grow stronger and and also remind people that no matter what limits life may bring, you have the inner strength to defy them.
This tumbling “milestone”, if you will, happened the same week I signed on to team up with MDA and Endorphin Warrior to raise awareness for their Live Unlimited campaign.
So, after a long day of tumbling – one where she did not nail her new kick over skill for her coaches as she had hoped– I popped into her room and gave her a #LiveUnlimited bracelet and let her know how proud I was of her hard work, determination and positive outlook towards a goal that has been challenging for her.
Sometimes Inspiration is completely unexpected.
When we think of people who inspire us, we usually think of people who have gained years of life-experience beyond our own– parents, grandparents, teachers, mentors– but sometimes inspiration comes in unexpected ways, at unexpected times, from unexpected people.
At only 7 years old, this little girl’s determination to overcome challenges, can-do attitude and enthusiasm for her dreams inspire me in ways she may never know.
Who or what inspires you to #LiveUnlimited?
Share your Live Unlimited moment or inspiration on social media. Throughout the end of July, $1 (up to $30,000!) will be donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association for every #LiveUnlimited image created and shared via the web tool.
Want to purchase a bracelet of your own?
You can purchase one here. $6 from the sale of each LIVE UNLIMITED bracelet goes directly to MDA to support groundbreaking research, clinical care for kids and adults from day one and services and support for families in hometowns across America.
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About Live Unlimited:
Live Unlimited is MDA’s campaign to inspire all of us to transform our perceived limits into unlimited possibilities. It was inspired by the strength and courage of MDA families who do remarkable things every day despite the physical and societal limits diseases like muscular dystrophy and ALS often create. Their unyielding resolve is a reminder to be relentless in our pursuit to defy limits while giving kids and adults living with muscle-debilitating diseases more Live Unlimited moments. To learn more about MDA’s Live Unlimited campaign, visit: mda.org/LiveUnlimited