Get Your Mind Right!

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." -Eleanor Roosevelt

Last week I had my first match as the JV volleyball head coach at CCHS... I was excited, optimistic, and ready... Or so I thought! I did all the preparation physically necessary to succeed, but hadn't thought to check the mindsets of my players. We lost before we touched the court because they didn't expect to win. I hadn't expose them to the mental game of a winner. It's similar to life... We sometimes want something and think we can have it, but if it takes longer than we think is necessary to come to pass or if the opponent looks bigger, doubt kicks in. The new position... Am I qualified? That great mate... Will he/she ever come? The four year college... Can I stay focused and finish?  It's all about our mindset. What are you believing? What's in your heart? Are you hoping to win or are you expecting to win? Stop worrying about what the other team is doing! What are you doing? What's your position? Where do you stand? I hear it's easier to quit, but I never have so I wouldn't know...  Not to say that I haven't been close or wanted to. Those days come for all of us, but I refuse to accept any lie that says I'll do anything but WIN! Tie your shoes, put on your swag, and when you walk in the gym the other team will know you are there to win.... Everything starts with the mind, and then the heart follows.... Get your mind right!!

Message to my former students:

When my teaching journey began I was a fearless, outspoken, 23 year old smartie pants that lacked patience, tact, and sometimes self control. It was my desire to coach volleyball and basketball while motivating you to get active and eat healthy. I didn't consider that I would be learning from you along the way, that some days would be as challenging as they were, or that I would come to need you as much as some of you needed me. Whew! What a grand experience!! From being intentionally pushed and quickly forced to decide if I wanted to hit a 13 year old or keep my career, to being cursed at here and there, to crying with and praying for you, I was stretched, pulled, pushed, and tried from top to bottom. From breakthrough moments in my office, to improving grades to be an A plus student, to building supportive relationships with your parents, long talks about life, simple eye contact in the halls, a random hug without any words, or the thank you cards I found under my office door... You all changed my life! You taught me patience, sacrifice, and compassion. Thank you for challenging my maturity, and exposing my weaknesses.

For those of you that are BIG KIDS now ,thank you for giving me a chance... Thank you for listening, having an open mind, and letting me in! From the bottom gym to those hot days on the track, I believed in you and have always wanted greatness for you. I hope that I made a positive impact that will last a lifetime. One that forced you to press beyond the mediocrity that surrounds and aggressively tries to consume us. I apologize for the impatience and anger that I displayed in my immaturity when you were just "being a teenager". I miss those dance routines you all created for your final exams, the times you attempted to hide in the bleachers when you were suppose to be running on the track, or those badminton games that I always crushed you in.... From the roller blades, to the scooter races, I enjoyed being with you every step of the way!!

Thank you for teaching me what being a teacher is all about.... EVERYTHING I wasnt I can say thanks to you I am today! My future students owe you big time... I love you, I miss you, and you better be doing something GREAT for the world around you!! Eat healthy, exercise daily, and LIVE! "Go get dressed..." ;-)

The tears inside her smile....

Today I really experienced the feelings of compassion, empathy, and heartfelt sorrow for another soul... A soul that's dear to my heart. When trials and tribulations come, we are told they come to make us strong. They come to bless us if we stand and go through it. They come to prepare us for what's next, a new thing. The tough part isn't always going through... It's being willing/able to get to a place of acceptance regarding the situation, and preparing to move forward. To have a vision of what we hope for, faith in a God of immeasurable love and power, and a consistent prayer about something that seems yet to change or improve takes someone that's crazy. Not crazy in a medical term, but crazy in a radical term! I can recall a time when I thought I was going to lose it, but essentially I wasn't even close. I was lost in my emotions, disconnected from reality, willing to sacrifice my life for a desire, a place, a feeling. Really? After finding myself on the right side of that experience, I began to know God in a different way... A way that forced me to trust Him, not the foolishness around me... In such a way that my mouth, mind, and heart were all on the same page. It was refreshing peace in the mist of total chaos.

What's that thing that has put you on the edge? Made you want to quit? We've all been there, some in more challenging places than others. My mom has always told me to remember things could always be worse, and I've tried to keep that with me through life. Although things can be worse, and when the situation I'm facing is the worst that I've experienced, I think it's fair to say that's my worse. As women we have the strength of a roaring lion. A strength that allows us to carry and deliver a human being. A strength that compels us to die for our offspring. A strength that keeps us in unhealthy relationships for the stability of our children. A strength that keeps us silent when we want to explode on the world around us. That strength is a greater power, a spirit from the supernatural world.

Today, reach deep inside of yourself and find that SUPER deep, strong place. The place you can go and be completely transparent... Cry, smile, laugh, and cry again if you need to, but reach that place where your faith keeps you alive. It's in that place that God is begging us to grab on to Him. Where ever you are, whatever you are going through HOLD ON and never let go!! You have a support system that will pray for & with you, while crying and wiping your tears, standing with you until you find your happy place again. HEAD UP, HEELS ON, and SMILE!! Today my prayer is that God hold you in the comfort of His peace. May His love overwhelm your heart, and ease your mind. Your path ahead is covered with abundant greatness, unprecedented favor, and SUPERnatural increase. You are strong and mighty in the Lord. No weapon formed will prosper! God knows your name, you are His FAVORite child, and you are about to run slap into your DREAMS. In Jesus' name, Amen.