Patience…It’s a Virtue!

Patience…while it IS a virtue…I’ve found it to be something that can at times be hard to find. With a society so based around instant gratification and ‘the next best thing’ it’s easy to sometimes get dragged into this ideology as well. In general I certainly don’t fall into that group, however, I do have my moments. My moments generally arise at times like at yesterday’s practice. Long story short…I’ve been working my tail off in the weight-room and the pool for over a month. I’m getting more fit all the time but still haven’t reached the level I’m looking for. Yesterday we did a set based on sheer speed. If speed was gold and I was a miner…my mine had been all used up. I was dead. What an unsatisfying practice.

Frustrated with my level of fitness I thought to myself, “I’m sick of waiting…I want it NOW.” Eddie could tell I was having a hard time. After practice we talked and he reminded me that it takes time and grit. He said, “you’re as good or better than anyone at that game…that’s what you do…you grit it out.” Suddenly a brisk breeze bellowed into my sails. At that moment I took a deep breath in and my body literally (literally) felt like it had just inhaled something magical…I had…it was the words of the one and only Eddie Reese. No one in the world could have had that affect on me other than Ed. He also said, “you gave it all you could and that’s all you have right now. We’ll string a whole good week of training together soon. We just need to stay at it.” He’s right. The season is young. I just need to be patient and take it one step at a time. Looking back at it now…my practice actually wasn’t that bad. The truth is that I’m a perfectionist and my expectations and desire sometimes gets the best of me. I’m glad I have people around me that can help me keep my goggles clear and see what’s really going on. Patience…it’s a virtue!