Setbacks

My rowing coach said some pretty cool stuff on Monday night and it has stuck with me ever since.  She was talking about preparing for any kind of event whether it be a game, race, or regatta and how you will most definitely have horrible days, challenging days, good days, great days.  But that in the process of pushing yourself physically, you realize that goals are very attainable and the horrible, challenging, good and great days are a gift.  Powerful stuff!

I came home after her talk and a particularly hard practice and got to thinking about what she had said and the idea of setbacks.  If I look at my life, it is the setbacks that really paved the way.  They made me push harder, love more, think about things differently and continue on.  My setbacks have led to  my greatest achievements. 

In lieu of that hard practice (in terrible weather conditions), I feel huge nerves in my stomach at the thought of getting back out on the water tonight.  I don’t know what may happen out there.  I worry that I can’t keep up.  But in those nerves and worry I know there is a challenge – to face my fears, push through them and prove to myself that my goal of being a competitive rower is attainable.  And in turn prove to myself that I can do anything.