Get back up

This past Thursday I had the opportunity to go to Sun Valley Idaho with my boys Cayden and Ethan.  Cayden was in his second slope style ski competition.  Ethan joined me and we skied together for the day.  Cayden was so thrilled to be in the event.  In his practice run, he landed wrong and got what is referred to as bad 'shin bang'.  It is basically bruising your shins.  It makes it tough to ski and especially to do any jumps. Although sore, he stayed on the hill supporting his other team members.  

The following day was a half pipe competition and when I asked if he was up for it, he said yes.  He would keep it easy and knew he wouldn't do well but wanted to go through the motions.  It reminds me of the Confucious quote, 

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."  

How true it is.  

Although he did not perform as he would have liked, I am proud of my son for getting back up and entering.  

So what did he learn?  

1. Being his first half pipe competition ever he learned a bit of what the judges are looking for. 

2. He gained experience by just being in it and going through the motions

3. He learned by going the extra mile.

4. He learned to get up after falling. 

Falling is part of life.  But as Confucious reminds us that we must get back up.  Greatness is forged through adversity.  It has always been that way.  It is up to us whether we grow and learn from the adversity that is put in our path in life.  Well done son.