Red Rubber Ball

When you bite off a big goal like I have -trying to make it to the Olympics - it is easy some days to get discouraged or to feel like the goal is almost too big or too far away.  So -I tend to find inspiration any place I possibly can -whether it's watching old Tour DVDs or reading former Olympians' stories or just scanning feel good motivational books, I am always working hard to inject optimism and hope and fire for my dreams into my mind.  Years ago a friend gave me this little book called Rules of the Red Rubber Ball.  I thought I'd share its rules with you:

Steps to pursuing your life's purpose:

1.  Commit to it: the desire to follow your red rubberball must come from deep within you.  The urge should feel irresitible, as if it's percolating up from your soul.

2.  Seek out encouragers: Sustaining your life's work cannot be done alone and you must build relationships with people who have a genuine interest in you and appreciate your commitment to your red rubber ball.

3.  Work out your creative muscle: Pursuing your life's work requires constant creativity because the paths will not always be obvious or easy to follow.

4.  Prepare to shine: each day is an opportunity to live out your life's work.  There will be quiet moments as well as defining moments, which -- if you shine --will propel you further than you ever imagined.

5.  Speak up: never accept the boundaries imposed upon you.  To truly honor your red rubber ball, you must alter the course when necessary.

6.  Expect the unexpected: for all your planning, events will sometimes unfold in ways you could never have predicted.  But if you expect the unexpected and embrace it, you will still stay true to your red rubber ball.

7.  Maximize the day: each day contains 86,400 seconds --that's 86,400 opportunities --to chase, kick, catch and run after your red rubber ball.

-excerpts, "Rules of the Red Rubber Ball" by Kevin Carroll

• Posted by Megan Hottman over 2 years ago
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