Last month, I attended our 30th Muskegon Big Red class of 1995 reunion. As you can see, I am proud of being Muskegon-born and raised, with some Heights in me too : )
I'm standing proud in this picture, in front of the physical memory of one of my biggest accomplishments outside of graduating, being that in my junior year, I broke two (2) school records in Volleyball (most blocks in the game and in the season). And the journey of how this happened is a story about learning to quit quitting, seizing opportunities, being vulnerable, betting on myself, acknowledging what I don't know, and doing the work to develop myself.
I come from a tall and athletic family. By the time I was in 7th grade, I had already grown to be 6 feet tall, wearing a size 10 shoe, which are both still true to date. A male friend of mine at the recent reunion made me giggle by calling me "Six Two," as that was their nickname for me, as I towered over them all. Playing sports was a given due to my family dynamics and size, so I found myself gravitating to basketball, softball, and volleyball. Mind you, as a six-foot tween/teen and naturally athletically gifted, I was always starting and playing; it became a norm to see myself as great and an asset to any team. Unfortunately, in middle school volleyball, all we were taught was to get the ball over the net. No fundamentals or strategy were coached.
So, back in my day (geesh, that just made me feel some kind of way saying that : ), but anyhow, back in my day, I went to a junior high school, so my freshman year, I had to take a bus from the junior high school to the high school for sports. I confidently decided to try out for freshman volleyball, and I made the team. However, I quickly realized I didn't know the mechanics like my teammates, and because of that, I was not playing, let alone starting. And that had never happened to me before, so after the first few games of riding the bench, I went home and told my Mom I was quitting. Her response was, 'No, you're not.' So, I didn't get to quit technically, but I did quit by tapping out emotionally, in effort and engagement, my tall ego was bruised.
The following year, as a sophomore and in my first technical year of high school, I made the varsity basketball team and was a starter; all felt right again in the world. Due to the level of accomplishment I was feeling with that significant move, I did not try out for volleyball. I decided I ain't riding nobody's bench; I am a starter. So instead, I got cool, hung out with teammate friends, and didn't participate in a winter sport, which was a first for me, not playing sports year-round.
In my junior year, I took a class called "Humanities". The teacher was Mr. Jon Workman; I LOVED his class. Mr. Workman was not only a special teacher, but he was also the varsity volleyball coach. He was always nudging me in class to give it another chance and even told me he would help me learn. So, in preparation for varsity volleyball tryouts, he helped me, taught me my footwork, timing, strategy, and all the needed techniques to perform at a high level. And it worked, I made the team and eventually became the starting middle hitter/blocker. Now I never did master the back row, so I didn't play the back row. I had a 5'2 "friend that we constantly substituted one another to play our designated spots. And hence the picture, only playing front row, you will see that my vulnerability, development, and humility to play "my part" paid off!
My point is that my pride may have led me to count myself out, but I received and believed in a vision of potential for myself that someone I trusted had for me; he was my "mirror moment." That developed some hope that then allowed me to invest in myself to learn my position and become a dynamic front row middle hitter/blocker. Mind you, there were other levels of complexity. Being one of the only Black girls playing volleyball at that time was a significant condition. The lolly's (bathing suit bottoms) for shorts, my inability to afford AAU invitations, Asics volleyball shoes, and tournament stuff didn't stop me. I had this exceptional, title-winning, award, and record-breaking season in fake dopeman's from Payless. And even when I couldn't master playing in the back row, I accepted my position and allowed myself to be vulnerable, letting my teammates supplement my needs.
We are designed to learn, not know it all, and to also help and walk alongside one another. What rooms do you need to re-enter where you thought you weren't qualified? What areas do you need to develop and resources that may need to be supplemented? What mirror moments are you dismissing? It's my hope that you get back in the game and make the impact you were created to make!
Co-CEO & Senior Partner
Design Group International
.t yourself in an immersive environment. Visit an aquarium where you can be surrounded by fish.
Comments