Be the Best of Yourself!

Evan came home last Tuesday announcing proudly about his advancement to Jr. teenis three. He was so happy about his job well done and asked me to frame his evaluation/advancement paper from his couch.

On the other hand, Jeannie started her try-out for basketball since Monday. It was a three day long process and I am just proud that she sustained to the end. Everyday since Monday, she had been staying at school until fivish, came home, had dinner, worked on her homework and stayed late for test if there was any. Of course, seminary at 6:00am the next morning. It would take some determination to do that.

The first two days gone by, and she was very pleased with her performance. She even told me once that she made two shots out of three while the rest of the candidates either made one or total missed. Just as we thought Jeannie would make it to the team, the disappointing news came in the email Wed. night after we came back from caroling (YM/YW church activity), that my daughter was not selected.

I was doing the dishes when Jeannie told me the news. My first instant was why, then almost the same time... How would my child feel? Would she be able to handle the disappointment and try again the next time? I was very concerned about this because she had the same disappointment wtih the badminton tournament at the beginning of the school year. So we talked and I asked Jeannie if she had tried her best? Her replied was "yes". I asked again if she enjoyed the try-out? She gave me the same response... "Yes". "That's all it matters!" I said. She still has hard feelings about the decision, but had learned to respect the choices made by the coaches.

The growing process is not always rosy, but we can choose to think positive and learn from each experience. We can either be harsh and deminished ourselves, or be a warrior and battle until the end. In fact, one of the most valuable lessons in life is to learn to fail. That's when we recongnize our potential, make strong or weak.

Our potential is unlimited as predetermined by the Lord. He wants us to be happy, reach our full potential, and be helpful to others. He doesn't worry about us failing, all it matters is whether we try our best. It's just one simple concept!