Motivation is different for each individual but at the end of the day whatever motivates us makes it all worth the effort regardless of the outcome. What is your motivation my fellow disc heads? What makes you want to drive two hour to practice and two hours back? What makes you excited to wake up at 5 am to be the first person in the weight room? What keeps you going in a competition where you are in last place going into the last round of throws? What makes it all worth the time, effort and emotional sacrifice? I would be glad to know yours but mine is simple and it has to do with my faith in God.
For some of you motivation comes in the way of a good coach, a strong mental mindset, or even a goal. I will be upfront with you all and express that I am in no way trying to preach to any of you about my religious views but rather, I am just trying to let you know what my true motivator has been my whole career.
Of course I set goals, have a strong mindset and of course had a great coach but above all these things was my faith. It is my joy, guide and sanctuary through all the ups and downs this life brings. Without my strong faith, I would have lost the ability to push myself through all those hard times. Without it, I would have quit. In a sense, the whole aspect of competing became more of an action of servitude to my creator, rather than something done just for self or outside gratification. I could have cared less about it all because I knew that at the end of the day I had made the most of the gifts that God had given me.
Whatever religion or belief your practice, do it as if you are doing it as a service and the joy that will accompany you in your athletic journey will actually help you achieve greatness because you are offering a service to an entity that is larger than yourself. You have all be blessed with talents and it is your responsibility to use it in servitude to your God or your fellow man. Doing either is a waste.
Leave me a comment and let me know what you think! or email me at 0a4w@virginia.edu
1 comment:
Awesome post my friend!
Among the things I think of when I am in the ring throwing on a beautiful day is what David must have thought of when he gazed up at the sky and contemplated the infinite glory
of God saying:
"When I look at your heavens,
the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you
have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the
son of man that you care for him?”
I am humbled by the joys God gives us like sport and in our case Discus throwing. Doing or best and giving Him praise for these "little joys" I think make Him smile!
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