SCULLED

Spring break

in San Diego

sees a large influx

of college students

looking to blow off

some steam

Among a steady stream of out-of-town college kids hitting up the best beach watering holes, was a solitary soul with a more serious countenance.  Assuming he was part of the overall invasion, I asked him what college he was from, to which he replied,

“Not from any college, just the Bay area.  I was just eliminated from the Olympic single-scull tryouts after losing in the preliminary trials a few hours ago.  It was the culmination of the last four years of my focus and efforts.”

“Oh,” I responded, weighing the ramifications of what he had just told a complete stranger.  I could now process the distinction in his countenance from all the other spring-break revelers.  His deflation was understandable when comparing his investment and its return.

“So, what’s next?” I inquired.

“I don’t know.” he responded.  “I’m still processing the whole thing.”

This kid, who was 26, had scrimped, saved, sacrificed and trained for the last four years, without any significant support from his family, who viewed his efforts as a waste of life.  He was now wondering if it had been a waste himself.

“How many were competing for how many spots?” I asked.

“Twenty were competing for one spot,” he answered.

“And how old was the oldest competitor?” I continued.

“Thirty-nine years old,” he replied.

“So, if you wanted, you have a few more Olympics left under your belt at your age should you choose to give it another shot, or, you can reapply that focus and drive in another direction.  What may seem like small consolation now, is the fact that few have or ever will do what you just accomplished, and that is, getting close enough to actually making an Olympic team.  Whether or not you succeeded is secondary; just to get as far as you did is an outstanding accomplishment all in itself.  That focus and drive, whether reapplied or not to another Olympics, is applicable to any venture you wish to pursue, and will carry you a long way.  That may not seem like much now, but you will see the value of it as you move through your life.”

The perspective seemed to cause a small adjustment in his attitude that will only play itself out as his life unfolds.  As for the moment, he was faced with driving back home to the Bay area in the morning, and sorting things out accordingly.

One never knows what direction your life may take after hopping on a bus.