Go Where You Are Celebrated!

Words of life from my beautiful wife this week!  In life, school, sports, work, and all things, there are people cheering you on, and in some places there are people not cheering you on towards success.  There are also some that are cheering you on, but not in a genuine authentic way.  We choose circles that cheer us on with all their heart and soul, and genuinely want us to succeed.  We choose work and people that authentically cheer us on!  And if you don't, we move on from those people or circles!  You can do the same!  Take a read!"

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I talk with our kids a lot about going where you are celebrated, not where you are tolerated. It’s important to surround yourself with people that choose you, celebrate you and bring out the best in you. Jim Rohn says that "you are the sum of the 5 people you spend the most time with".  I believe this to be true in all stages of life, but I also believe our influence is much bigger than simply five people.  Everyone around us has the opportunity to influence how we feel about ourselves and where we see our potential.  Therefore, surrounding yourself with the right circle is crucial.

This morning, I was thinking about this with regards to our daughter, Mac.  Mac grew up loving volleyball.  She played travel volleyball for years and it was always her happy place.  At the beginning of her sophomore year, it became apparent that volleyball was not the correct course for her, and she made the extremely difficult decision to no longer play that sport.  Her heart was broken in that moment.  While I knew she was struggling with the end of that chapter in her life, I also knew that something better was waiting for her. 

Fall sports had already started practicing but Mac decided she would like to try and join the tennis team.  She had played in middle school and enjoyed it and wanted to stay involved.  Not knowing if it was too late to get Mac on the team, I reached out to the assistant coach and asked if Mac could still come to practice even though the season had started.  His response (without hesitation) was, “It’s not too late and she would be a welcomed addition. It would be wonderful to get to coach her!”  Suddenly, Mac’s apprehension started to melt away – she was already starting to feel celebrated.

Mac joined the team and suddenly began to flourish.  We watched her grow not only on an athletic level but on a personal level.  She not only found success on the court, but she also started gaining confidence and pride.  We started seeing a girl that felt accomplished and proud of herself.  We started seeing the Mac that had been missing for a bit…a Mac that I didn’t even realize had slowly slipped away.  Mac was surrounded by people that were celebrating her, and it was apparent.

This year, her senior year, she played singles for the first time because her doubles partner graduated last year.  Although she was nervous and apprehensive, she gave it everything she had and took the season by storm.  Last week we watched her qualify for the State Tournament.  A goal that she set for herself 3 years ago came to fruition.  And we celebrated.

Mac isn’t always the most aggressive player you will watch, she isn’t always the quickest player on the court, she isn’t even always the most athletic player on the court.  At the beginning of the season, as she learned the game all over again, she looked like she might be the underdog.  But she is tough, she is confident, she won’t give up, she will force you to make the error because she has more patience than nearly anyone I know, she will gut it out when it gets tough, she will keep working point after point after point…and she will win.  All while knowing that she is supported and celebrated by her coaches, her teammates, her friends and her family.  With a combination like that, it’s almost impossible to fail.  She is the sum of the people that surround her, and her tribe is one to be commended.  I am thankful that tennis found her when she needed it the most.  I am thankful for the coaches that welcomed her with open arms and encouraged her and loved her and celebrated her.  I am thankful that she ended up exactly where she was supposed to be.

So, I ask you…are you surrounded by a system that celebrates you?  If you aren’t being celebrated, go find a circle that does.  It doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with your current circle, it just means that something even better is waiting for you.  Go find a circle that cheers loudly for your success.  Go find you a circle that makes you know you can take on anything in front of you.  Go find a circle that makes the hard days easier and the good days great! 

Life is too short to be tolerated…GO BE CELEBRATED!