Volée Prologue: Learning from the Greatest Teacher

Volée Prologue: Learning from the Greatest Teacher

Team

BY: NICOLE FREEMAN

“The greatest teacher, failure is”- Yoda.

I’m a big Star Wars fan. Whether or not you’re a fan of a galaxy far far away, I think there are themes which resonate with endurance athletes. In the latest flick, Luke Skywalker decides it’s time to quit and turn his back on the people counting on him. But in a critical moment, Yoda reminds him that the story of success is long, and failure is a key character.  

Something about reframing your perspective to embrace failure is inspiring. Honestly, I wish I had realized this earlier in my life -- fear of failure kept me sidelined for far too long. But I’m familiarizing myself with failure. It’s a bummer, no matter how many times you fail, it’ll always be a bummer. But I’m learning to be okay with that.  And since the road to reaching a goal is long and marked with failure, it’s helpful to have good company. And I can’t think of better company than the Oiselle Volée (shout out to @BigAppleBirds). I could gush forever about how these women have enriched my life. But to keep it short and sweet, it’s nice to know there are people in your corner. We’re there for each other to ease the sting of failure but also there to celebrate the victories. 

I don’t really need to think about what my goals for 2018 are, because they are pretty much the same as 2017 #alwaysfailing. I know these goals will take years. I know the chances of reaching them this year are slim. But, ultimately, they’re what I want to accomplish. So, I’m preparing myself to fail better this year. I’ll let myself marinate in my disappointment but then come away with positives. And above all, I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to learn from a teacher like failure.

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