Saturday, November 29, 2008

Don't Thank Me For Not Living My Life

I came across a quote by Alicia Paulson on the website Another Girl at Play that reminded me of some advice I got from my mom many years ago when I was making the decision to try out for the 7th grade basketball team.


When asked if she had any advice for women who are embarking on a creative life, Alicia said, "Do it. At the end, no one is ever going to thank you for not living your life."

The day before basketball tryouts, I decided that I would not try out. I didn't think that I was good enough. And my thought process was, why try out if I'm not going to make it anyway? My mom wasn't into my faulty logic and told me in-no-uncertain-terms that I was going to go to those tryouts. My mom is one of those people that you just don't cross and even as a 7th grader, I knew that. So against my will, I tried out for the team. I made it. I went on to be very successful in basketball. In fact, it was a really big part of my life for many years and in a lot of ways helped define who I am today.

Need I say how grateful I am for a mother who forced me to live my life when I was too afraid to? You just never know how important just trying is in life. I'd say it is essential. You always miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you for those words of encouragement! I needed that today ;)

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Buffy. Love you muchly, Mom

okiedokiegma said...

I am so thankful for your mother for I know you will pass on her great wisdom to my grandkids. I really look up to both of you!

Becky said...

You are inspiring as always...thanks for sharing and for motivating me :)