#99 - be good

i watched a couple episodes of house MD last night. it's one of my favorite tv shows, i tend to like medical-type shows a lot. well basically it was about this punk guy who didn't care if he died. this post doesn't have much to do about the actual story line though. dr house is great because he says what he wants, he means it, and is usually right. people hate him because they think he's a jerk. or they believe doctors shouldn't be like that. if my doctor was like that i would be very happy because even if i may not like the truth, he will give it to me. he actually does care for his patients in his own way. so this punk guy is in a band and house is talking to him about his music, which sucks apparently. he says to the kid:

be good, get good or give up.

i thought about that quote for about 2 seconds before i totally realized that could be my mantra.

i don't like to give up. i think i would actually add one thing in there that has to do with fun. "be good, get good, have fun or give up." i love to try new things and at first, if i am not good but like it, i tend to stick to it. if i am not good and it's no fun i say, what's the use?! why waste your time on something you aren't good at or enjoy?

example #1: snowboarding
most people have the same experience the first time they go snowboarding. you spend all day on your ass. no matter how athletic you are or how many videos you've seen, you can't be good at snowboarding on the first try. at least no one i know. even if you take lessons, it's hard to get used to. first of all you're standing all sideways. then there is the snow, which is cold and hard when you land on it. for some reason though, i had a good time. i had fun. so i stuck to it and eventually grew to love it. while i haven't been for years, it's still something i enjoy. it would probably be like that first day all over again if i were to go today!

example #2: golfing
my friend taught me to golf when we were in college. i had always looked at golf as a stupid sport that was boring. how could a game so slow be fun? my dad had been trying to get me out golfing my whole life pretty much but i refused. what was i thinking?! the first time i went was in corvallis at trysting tree. i don't remember what the score was or if i played 9 or 18. all i remember is that i thought "wow that was actually really fun!" i was hooked. i moved back home and told my dad i was interested in golfing. he jumped at the suggestion, bought me some clubs and we went out to play. i am not a morning person but my dad and i would leave the house at 5 or so to make a one hour drive out to our favorite 9-hole. it's a muni course so usually not crowded. why'd we go so early? well we got there before they opened, played 9, checked in and paid, then played another. so every time i go home my dad and i try to golf a round or two. it's a great time together and i've improved too. the competitive nature in me definitely lends to the "get good" part. i've beaten my dad once. it was an off game for him, but i played well and so it counts. my goal is to break 100. since i don't play consistently, it might take me awhile to get there. i can't wait till i can afford to golf (time and money) more often and actually get good.

example #3: dodgeball
did you know this was coming? i just started playing dodgeball last fall. it is something i instantly loved and was pretty good at. the fact that its highly social and also physical is a bonus. i started out just on two teams, and maybe going to open gym every other week. now i am to the point where i am on...four teams, and go to open gym twice a week. that's a lot of dodgeball. but i totally love it and am getting better at it. there are so many little skills to improve on, many better players and much to learn. i have a little saying for myself - "elevate your game". it is something i probably picked up while working football at osu but it is a good one. every time i try to go out there and do better.

so three examples in my life of how this quote works in sports but it could be applied to anything. i don't think anyone can say they have become the best at anything. even if you are #1, there are places you could improve. this goes for everyone and everything. why be content with where you are at? get better at things, become a better person, do more (oh yes it's earth day folks) but at the same time ENJOY LIFE!