A big movie line such as this sets us up for what is to come. With rampant trouble being unavoidable upon entering the scene, we sit on the edge not knowing how they could possibly succeed. But we want them to try.

I told my gymnastics coach straight up that I was there to get stronger, not there to compete. Even when I was provided with the tank top uniform and the tights, I joked about never wearing them. Coach was okay with my declaration, but I suspect he knew that when he called on me, I would step in. After more than a month of getting stronger while learning some fun gymnastics moves, I heard my name hollered across the gym by the coach who was standing under the rings.

When I got there he asked, “You got a muscle up on the rings, right?”
“Yep.”
“A dislocate with a front rise swing?”
“Sure.”
“Shoulder stand?”
“Yes.”
“Front roll?”
“I can make it around.”
“How about a dismount?”
“You mean when I fall off?”
“Tim, teach him a dismount and your old routine, then call me over.”

Twenty minutes later I ran through the routine for coach and I was officially in the my first meet. My lame initial excuse for never competing didn’t hold up as I understood all of the reasons I had to do it. Tim was hurt, we were short a score on that event, and there was no one else to fill it. The fact that I placed 3rd in the meet on the rings gave me a sense of belonging. I was in. The decision to step in led me to some of my greatest joys and some of the worst incidents all the while gaining some of my best friends during high school. Even if things don’t go perfectly, step in.

If you do, you truly never know what’s on the other side. Maybe a dream can come true. 2025 Stand Up, Step In, Stand Out, read my post called Up You Go

Hope you have a Happy Friday.