Change in the D

Change, even change we at first perceive to be negative, brings opportunity. The challenge is to see beyond the heartache and grasp the opportunity.

I’ve used this quote before but it seems best for this new blog entry - Change in the D. I originally started writing this back in late April, then put it aside with no intention of even finishing it, just writing to write. For a number of reasons, I decided to revisit and finish what I wrote. So here it is, my rant about Change, and the good and bad sides of it, relating to my usual topics of Detroit, golf, crossfit, and, of course, life in general.

Detroit is known for the resilience of its people…[it] is still the symbol of a fighting-back city. And I believe it’s going to come back.

Well, I might as well start this off with change happening within our city. This first quote was from a recent article discussing where Detroit will go with its new development plan. Kevyn Orr, our new emergency city manager, recognizes the daunting task on his hands. With Detroit billions upon billions of dollars in debt, it’s no easy feat. Yet you can look around and see all of the opportunities that can come with change. The vacant lots he plans on clearing can be used for new parks, new lofts, or new businesses. So do your part in seeing these changes by making trips downtown. Speaking as someone who loves planning fun activities in Detroit, I promise you won’t be disappointed. But these plans to improve the city will not happen overnight, nor will they happen while Orr remains the emergency manager. The change to Detroit will continue for years to come. No, it will not ever be the Detroit it used to be, just as with so many things in life. But we can all work at making changes to Detroit ones for the better, to redefine the city that fell as something bigger and brighter.

Detroit is dying. But it has a chance - slim, perhaps, yet within our grasp - to live.

I won’t relate this quote to just Detroit. Everyone goes through rough patches in life, times of change where this quote can be very relatable. For me, it epitomized how I had felt for a couple months or so, grasping onto any small semblance of happiness I could find. Change continued to kick me into the ground, and when I’d try to get up, it would kick me right back down again, each time harder than the last. Throw that in the middle of five law school finals (which I will NEVER do again), and you’ve got an image of the hot mess I had become. I let myself continue to spiral down, hoping I’d eventually hit the bottom.

But Detroit can change its story – a possible brighter future, albeit a challenging one, for the Motor City. And perhaps Detroit cannot get better until it hits rock bottom, but then the city will have no place to go but up.

There come times where we can get wound up in things, whether it’s a job, a class, a sport, a person, training, coaching, competitions, projects, anything really. We get so caught up that we can lose focus on what is really important, who is really important, and what we really want. I remember finishing a run a few weeks ago when it hit me that I had lost all focus on what I used to want in my life, what I used to work so hard for. I sat alone outside of my crossfit box on one of our tires and tried to remember what it was I used to want. The list began with pretty general things, and then continued to grow. What was it that I wanted? I wanted to eventually work in Detroit, to do something good for my city. I wanted to qualify for my USGA National Golf Championships again. I wanted to become a faster, stronger Crossfitter, and a positive influence to others at Spartan. I wanted to continue to be a coach that my high school basketball girls look up to, that they go to for advice, or for a laugh and a hug. I wanted the kids I give golf lessons to to have that bright smile on their face when they hit the ball, to find their own love for the game that I love. I wanted to always be a good friend, to be someone people can turn to, someone they can trust. And then the one thing I really wanted more than anything hit me… at that moment, sitting on my old tire, I wanted nothing more than to make it thru a whole week, no, a whole day, without thinking I have nothing to offer.

A better future awaits Detroit if those of us who call the city home make the right choices.

I have a wonderful friend from Spartan that I run with and talk with all the time. She has told me before that if you find yourself feeling sad, it is because you are thinking of the past, and if you feel anxious, you’re worried about the future. So no matter what changes you may come to face in your life, live in the moment. Recognize the good things going on during the present; recognize them and be thankful for them. Find happiness in even the smallest of things each and every day. Change is inevitable, but it’s how we approach it that ultimately defines our attitude in our lives.

Yet we have a ribbon of hope. Our city is never going to be what it was, but what we have is a time for change. It is a time to come together to take advantage of each and every opportunity.

On a lighter topic, there was a group from the D that faced a great deal of change recently. Of course I’m talking about my Red Wings. With their Perfect Human gone, the team needed to adjust to change. We struggled a bit in the season, many doubting if we’d make the playoffs with so much change to our reliable hockey team. But our new captain was not going to see our flawless playoff appearance streak break on his watch. The Wings overcame the changes they faced, the young players began to adjust to this new level of play. And then we proved so many wrong and made the playoffs. Change?!? Our Wings took the change they had to face, pulled a Datsyuk-ian deke around it, and beat it back with a hockey stick and a Kronner check to the boards – an example for all of us to follow. So with that, I’m calling us bringing the Cup home next year.

Discipline is very simply remembering what you want; discipline yourself to whatever path you must take to achieve your goals, and make the conscious choice to stick with that path each and every day, no matter what changes you may face.

Crossfit crossfit crossfit. Yup, there’s change with this too. Recently, my coach at Spartan posted videos from our old box to show to someone who had never seen them, never seen where SCF started. That day I watched all of the ones that our coach, Pat, made. And so much has changed since then. I didn’t recognize myself in some parts. All of the OGs, as we call them, have improved so much – a visible example of change. Change in their ability to do so much more, whether being able to lift heavier, do more sets of movements unbroken in the WODs, or now having handstand pushups or butterfly pullups on lockdown. For whatever reason, I thought back to the day I got my first strict muscle-up. It was Valentine’s Day. And I hate Valentine’s Day. But this change, finally getting the stupid thing, everyone there cheering me on when I got it, first girl at Spartan to do so, was a change I appreciated. That same night I was with an old friend discussing the upcoming Crossfit Open. I remember lying awake thinking of how much had changed since the previous year. Back then I didn’t even know what the Open was, and now I was signed up for it. Sometimes it takes looking back to where you started in order to appreciate the changes that you’ve accomplished. For some who start at the bottom, looking at accomplishments because of change can then be that much sweeter (my tall, lanky, non-gymnastics, ‘stay as calm as possible no matter what’ competitive golf mindset appreciates this).

The things that last, they carry on,

Some flicker fast and then they’re gone

The way I used to approach crossfit when I started last year at the old box is also different now in this new box we’ve moved to, another change. People have come and gone, and the memories from the old box will remain there with our graffitied wall that can still be seen through the dark windows. Crossfit is what you make of it. And no matter what changes you face, you should always continue to do it for you, to prove to yourself what you can accomplish.

You have to believe that something different can happen,

He who says he can and he who says he can’t are both usually right.

And now onto the next usual topic: Golf. This sport, as dumb as it is, is full of CONSTANT change. Change in weather conditions, change in the type of course, the pin placements, the yardage, the strength of the playing field, even change in what aspects of your game are working on any given day of competition, and what aspects are not. I’ve also come to see a change in the talent at my qualifiers, a much higher level of skill to compete against. But I’ve never let changes related to golf knock me down. Change is an obstacle to overcome. And you can relate this to anything you truly love doing - waste no time amidst mediocrity. Be better than everyone else. Compete against the best. And win against the best. When you succeed, the feelings of happiness are that much greater. And even though when you fail, the feelings of disappointment are that much greater also, this shows your true passion and can make you want to succeed even more. In golf, there is a great deal of importance placed on the speed of your club at impact with the ball. For that split second, you give that shot everything you’ve got. And well, guess what, you can do that in everything else in life – jobs, relationships, school, competitions. Change should not hinder what you want; it is something you must rise above.

If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never have enough. If you are thankful for what you do have, you will end up having even more. Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold; happiness dwells in the soul.

I have to give credit to a friend of mine, she originally posted this quote and it was too good to pass up. Before I started writing this, I re-read the blog entry I wrote a year ago on Acceptance in the D, right after my first year of law school was done. Now, a little over a year later, so much is different, some of what I wrote still being true, and some of what I wrote taking a 180-degree turn. So there I saw it again - Change. Now what should this new rant of mine leave you with, amidst so much change that will continue to happen in your life?

Appreciate what you have while you have it. Appreciate who you have while they’re in your life. Appreciate your accomplishments. Appreciate even the smallest of gestures of kindness from others. Return those gestures of kindness with your own. Go out of your way to do nice things for others. I know its been said before, but change can sneak up on you and what you once had that you didn’t fully appreciate could be gone in an instant. And adjusting to that change can sometimes be a daunting task, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Never take advantage of what you have in your life; and yet, at the same time, always be open to change. Detroit, I look forward to whatever changes you will see in the years to come. And, taken from a shirt I recently purchased, you either love Detroit…or you’re wrong.

Perseverance in the D (and Boston)

In no way, shape, or form do I have any business writing this with 5 law school finals looming about a week away (plus I really should back-off on my caffeine consumption) but amidst the tragic events on Marathon Monday, a new blog entry was due. I began writing this about a month ago on a flight home from Florida, but never posted it. Sometimes just writing to write is nice. With some tweaks to it, I’ll do my usual chatting about Detroit, Crossfit, golf, law school, and of course, life in general. But the main focus this time is Boston, which will get my best attempt at a ‘wicked awesome’ part dedicated to it at the end.

Perseverance – continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition

Well, here we go again. Last month, during my layover in Atlanta on my way down to Florida, I saw it. Waiting at my gate, CNN National News was reporting a story about Detroit and our ever-impending financial crisis, and quite possibly one of the worst financial crises for any city, at least to my knowledge. Detroit with no money? Come on, cut us a little break here. Of course the comments being made from the reporters were all negative. Life your own lives, bros. Everyone has their problems, ours just happen to be a bit larger than others. But our city is strong, we’ll persevere. Its April in the D, no doubt. Our Tigers are shutting it down so far. My beloved Red Wings, well, we’re scraping our way through these last few games and we’ll find a way to make the playoffs again. Detroit Restaurant Week starts soon, River Days are coming up, and summer in the D is always a good time. There are positives in Detroit, and that’s because our city and all who know and love it like I do know how to persevere.

We can fight our way back into the light, we can climb outta hell, one inch at a time.

Two weeks ago today the final WOD for the Crossfit Open was released. The end of a series of 5 weeks of workouts to determine who makes it to Regionals was upon us. 13.1 feels like ages ago. For me, it seemed like each week there were new battles I was fighting, and so I used these five open WODs as the minutes I could forget about them, the minutes I could use to release all of these stresses. Maybe this was what it meant for others too. And whether it was Jaime, being the wonderful judge (and overall person) she was, pushing me each time and knowing EXACTLY what to say, or Michael writing ‘Sunz Out Gunz Out’ on my arms for some entertainment, the Open was an experience. I saw new people at the box, like Bella and Devynn, pushing themselves to new limits. I saw our best competitors, like Josh, Alex, and Andy, setting scores I couldn’t even think of reaching, and Josh even making it to first page status in the region. I saw the secret beastmode side of people, like Daphne and Elena, come out. I proudly saw Ang, Jacquelyn, and Arianna, brand new to Plymouth Crossfit, compete in the Open. And I always got a laugh watching Pat do the WODs. I would include a little something about everyone but that might make this long blog post just too long. In the end, I think we all gave it everything we could in the Open. I personally know I held nothing back (this was pretty clear since each week I re-did the WOD and each week I got basically the same score, a few reps or so better, but basically the same). And that’s what it means to persevere. There were obstacles I was facing, and these workouts, always done in my familiar back corner, were what I used to keep moving forward. It's what we all must do, keep moving forward.

Be kind to all you meet, for each of us are fighting our own battles in life.

Ehhh, I don’t really want to write anything about law school. Perseverance? Seriously, just let me be done with it.

Inside each and every one of us is one, true, authentic swing. Over time the world can rob us of that swing, it can get buried inside under all of the woulda’s and coulda’s and shoulda’s…

Bagger Vance is such a brilliant movie. Shortly after the Crossfit Open started, the USGA began releasing their applications for qualifiers this summer. Lord baby Jesus, help me. I already have enough anxiety, now this too. When I saw the sites for the US Women’s Open Qualifier released, I called my Dad to let him know when and where it’ll be. Last year I gave the 36-hole qualifier a shot (pun intended), but didn’t make the cut. Its tough competing with professionals, I’ll tell you that. But this time, his response to me was nothing like I expected. “Maybe you shouldn’t compete, it might be a waste of your money at this point.” I hung up the phone. Golf, the ONE thing that I’ve always had no matter what, and I’m not good enough anymore? That night I felt so defeated, felt like I had no one to talk to, no one to turn to.

Perseverance – never giving up. That little breakdown happened back in mid-March. But walking to the range down in Florida a week or so after, for the first time in weeks, my mind was clear. For those hours I hit golf balls, FINALLY nothing else mattered. My focus was on my practice, my swing, that ball, that club, that target, and nothing else. I can’t give this stupid game up. I’ve made the decision not to play in the Women’s Open Qualifier this year, I’ll leave that to the LPGA players and the 15 year old prodigies. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be competing. Hell, I have 6 tournaments already lined up. Perseverance. This is a game that can’t be won, only played. So I play. And I’ll keep playing. And maybe this summer will be the summer I make it back to those National Championships again.

One cannot find peace by avoiding life.

Up North. Boston. Florida. Chicago. Chicago. Up North. Back in mid-February, while on my trip-booking rampage, I was on the verge of planning another one, and then I stopped. I remembered the quote above from The Hours. Yes, the vacations I went on were great. Skiing, golfing, shopping, laying out, good dinners, good bars, good company - you can’t beat any of it. But they all come to an end. And what’s really left is perseverance. Tough times don’t last forever. Everything changes. Things change for the better, they change for the worse, and then they tend to bounce back and change for the better again. All we can do in the mean time is see what life has in store for us next. You could blink and something can change, this last Monday in Boston is proof of that. Persevere through the difficulties. Trust things are meant to be the way they turn out, and that they will turn themselves around again. Sometimes, that’s all we can do, and holding onto that mindset can sometimes bring a sense of peace in our lives.

The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows, it’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it . . . its about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take and keep moving forward.

Sitting in class, on Monday, my fellow Michigander-Bostonian, Mike, had sent me a message. It was about Marathon Monday. Just earlier that day, we had talked of wishing we were still day-drinking on a roof, wandering down to South Campus to cheer the runners on, a full day of celebrating with everyone in Boston. But this was different. He sent me the links to some news reports. The headlines started coming out, the tweets, the images, the video footage. Explosions near the marathon finish line. Surely this wasn’t real, it couldn’t be… This is Marathon Monday, like Christmas with drinks instead of presents. But as my jaw dropped, I realized this was real. I have no idea what was taught during class Monday afternoon, this tragedy could not have happened in a place I used to call my 2^nd home just a short time ago... But it had happened.

For 4 years, Marathon Monday was always one of the greatest days of undergrad. My mind instantly went to remembering the times we would head downtown later in the afternoon to watch the runners finish. The spot we would wander to was right next to where the bombs went off. Then images of my friends still living in the city came to mind. Are they ok? Were they near the explosions? Are they safe? Are their friends and family safe? Please let them be ok… With cell service down in Boston, I resorted to frantically Facebook messaging them all. Thankfully enough, everyone was safe. But devastatingly enough, that was not true for all. My mind then went to the questioning. Why? Why would someone do this? How are there people like this in the world? What unspeakable things will someone do next? Is there really hope for anyone anymore? As I walked back to my apartment (quite a different walk from what I used to do from class everyday, the Green Line running down Comm Ave, the Charles River close by, and the beautiful view of the city skyline in the distance), my mood changed again. It was one of perspective smacking me in the face. I felt foolish, pathetic, angry, sad. Really? You’ve been upset over all of these trivial things in relation to something like this happening?? And this is why perseverance is a part of each and every one of us.

I read an article from the NY Times this morning (for those interested, here you go: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/17/us/physical-legacy-of-bomb-blasts-could-be-cruel-for-boston-marathon-victims.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0) that made me realize even more the impact of what happened. Not only did this tragedy happen during the Boston Marathon, but many of these injuries happened to the runners, injuries to their legs and feet. Marathon runners – those who have a true passion for what they do – suffering severe leg trauma, some needing their leg(s) amputated. Now I am in no way a marathon runner. Yes, I run, I enjoy running, I’m ok at running, but 26.2 miles, WOW. So for these poor victims of the explosions, thinking they’re about to cross the finish line for the 1^st, 2^nd, or 30^th time, to face this instead, to wake up Tuesday morning without a leg or a foot, without what they need to do what they love, what they need to run? Unthinkable. Puts it all into perspective again – to have what you love doing taken away from you, for no reason? So be grateful each and every day for what you have, for what you are able to do, for who you have in your life, and for what they mean to you. Just another example of the need to always keep persevering.

To Boston, you’re as strong a city as I know (and that’s a lot coming from my Detroit-loving self). You will bounce back from this stronger than ever. That’s why we face obstacles in our lives, to make us stronger in the end. There are always points in our lives where we make it through a hard time. There’s a moment when the person you have become looks back at the sad, defeated, struggling old version of yourself. That new, stronger person can then offer a helping hand and look the weak and exhausted older version of yourself in the eye and say, ‘See? It’ll all be ok in the end, just keep going, keep persevering…’ There is always a light at the end of dark points in our lives. Boston, whether the light for you is the beacon Citgo sign or your skyline’s building lights or the bright lights at Fenway, there is a light for you after this tragedy. And you and everyone in the city will fight together and come out stronger for each Boston Marathon in the future.

And above all else, I hope you have happiness along this unknown road ahead.

In a letter I wrote to a close friend of mine recently I included this quote, a quote I happened to have written in an old blog entry of mine. And this, I believe, is what the real goal of persevering is - to find happiness. Because if that’s not what we’re searching for, then what is it that we’re fighting these battles for? So to my Detroiters, to my Bostonians, and to everyone else out there, here’s to finding happiness at the end of your bumpy roads, that when you reach the end of your persevering, when you can take the deep sigh of relief that you’ve made it, you reach it with a smile on your face.

Perspective in the D

Perspective. Changing this one little word can change your outlook on different situations, even on life itself. I mean, who hasn’t heard the “glass half empty or half full” saying? So here I am again, my next piece on relating life to the D. This time, I offer some insight on how I’ve come to see how perspective plays such a big role in life, and also in, ya you guessed it, looking at my city of Detroit. I last wrote at the end of my first year of law school on acceptance. Well, being a little over halfway through law school now, much has happened, both to me as well as to my city.

“We are what we believe we are.”

First, I take you back to our Tigers, when there wasn’t snow on the ground. Our boys made it all the way to the World Series. For me, I wanted our guys to take the championship not only for our city and for our fans, but for the one and only Mr. Mike Illitch who has put so much into improving Detroit. Now, taking this in different perspectives, one could be upset that we didn’t win; that even after the ridiculous amount of money we paid to get the superstars we have on our team now, we didn’t win… Or you could have a different perspective. Look how far our guys made it, look who we have coming back next year, and look how much we loved watching our boys play all the way into October. Before we know it, the snow will be gone (hopefully), and we’ll hear the crispy cracks of the boys’ bats again. The Detroit Lions, well, no they weren’t in the Super Bowl, no they didn’t have the greatest season, but hey, perspective people. We didn’t have another 0-16 season… There’s always next year.

And now, the surprise that many (including myself) probably didn’t think would happen: The ending of the NHL Lockout. The return of my Red Wings. Albeit a partial season, but a season nonetheless. I won’t lie to you, I despised all the nonsense that went on throughout the negotiations, the failed agreements, the months with no hockey. But, take this in perspective. I expected no season, expected no visits to the Joe, no mornings spent reading articles about the Wings, no evenings planned around their games. But then, as I woke up early one morning, I saw the Facebook posts of excitement. Could it be?! Is this Christmas morning?! Yes, yes it was. Hockey was back. For perspective’s sake, thinking there would be no season and then this? Well, I am a happy Wings fan, and I’m grateful we get the partial season ahead of us, even though the ice seems a little less, well, Perfect, lacking a certain #5 out there. Putting on Hank’s jersey and heading down to the Joe for their first home game with my #teamponcho KP was a mini dream come true. It wasn’t even $9 beer night, it was $4.50 beer night! A tv interview, Jumbotron appearance with glow sticks, and a goal by Franzen completed our night. We may not have won but HOCKEY IS STILL BACK. Perspective, people. Don’t count our Wings out just yet. So here’s to you and your boys in the red sweaters, Babcock, bring us into the playoffs for the 22^nd year in a row.

“What defines us is how well we rise after falling.”

I was recently downtown for the Auto Show. This year was a big year, especially because Rich (aka my father) has been working on the new Stingray. That is one BEAUTIFUL piece of American machinery and power. The entire setup for it, the crowds surrounding the car, and the media attention Corvette has gotten is great for Detroit. Another big year for an American car company, with the Cadillac ATS adding to it by receiving Car of the Year. Last year the Camaro ZL1 got big attention, before that the Volt, and before that the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe. Year after year of American cars being commended at the Auto Show. Hey, you all remember when the Big Three were failing? Bail-out city? Perspective. Look at them now.

“A certain darkness is needed to see the stars.”

We must also be conscious of what we focus on. Relating that to the D, when you go downtown, do you look at the abandoned home on the side of the street? The deserted building with its blown-out windows right off the freeway? Or do you see the new stores and restaurants that went up around the holidays? The way the Ren Cen lights up the skyline each and every night? The crowds of people walking the streets whenever there’s a game downtown? If we focus our perspective on every negative feature in our life, odds are it will remain as dismal as the abandoned buildings downtown. You have to look and see the progress the city has made. For instance, check this site out on the Detroit Works Project, its pretty swell: http://detroitworksproject.com/.  Maybe it’s still not your Chicago, or your Boston, or your NYC. But each year Detroit gets better, gets brighter. We can all see that with the right perspective.

“Through your window, that’s one way to see the world, step outside and look back into

Look and listen, and you decide what to believe, shine your light while you got one”

So the next couple parts are a bit unrelated to Detroit, but hey, there is a life outside my city too. I begin first with, not surprisingly, Crossfit. I recently hit my one-year anniversary of starting at Spartan on the day I competed at PCF’s Yeti Competition. Our Spartans had quite a showing on that day. We had not one, not two, but FIVE, yes FIVE people from our box on podiums at competitions around the area. Dan, Trish, and Brandon all placing at the Yeti, Josh dominating at Joust, and Nate placing at his home box. Now before I give them the recognition they deserve, let me take you quickly back before all these comps were done… Frustrated. Defeated. Unaccomplished. Weak. Never good enough. Yes, these were the thoughts going through my head. Not the most pleasant mindset to have. I had gotten two PRs that day in snatch and clean & jerk, but that was all in the shadow of everyone in my division. Heavy weight has always been where I hop right on the struggle bus. But I regrouped, and was set on going as hard as I could in the other two WODs to redeem myself. No matter, still no final WOD for this girl. All I wanted at that time was a driving range to clear my head; golf has always been the one thing I could turn to, no matter what was bothering me. Given that wasn’t an option and as difficult as it was at the time, I pushed those negative thoughts aside; this was no time to be that way, there were other Spartans kicking ass that day, this was their time, and supporting our #tribe is what we do. With the other Spartans who showed up to cheer us all on (you guys are awesome), Trish powered through that sled push, Brandon killed it in his first competition, and Dan pulled off a win. At Joust, we saw Josh annihilating the competition.  A casual 1000-pt win in the final WOD and 1^st place was his, a great win for Fronz to ride into the Open with. Then at dinner, we see Nate on the podium, placing at his own comp. Quite the day, so proud of everyone. But as I got back to my apartment, those thoughts from earlier came right back. Rather than fight them off, I went to bed early, just wanted the day to be done, Sunday would be a new day.

And that’s where perspective came in. One year ago, there were plenty of things I couldn’t do, plenty of weights I couldn’t lift, plenty of WODs I couldn’t go RX in. Psh, the first day my Marie and I went in to the old box, we didn’t even workout. I’m pretty sure we were too nervous at the time, had to mentally prepare for what we were getting ourselves into (plus Bieber wasn’t on). But we all have to step back and change our perspective sometimes in order to see how far we’ve come. Ya, if you go and compare yourself to the best of the best, odds are you might feel inadequate, which I’ll admit, I do much much much too often, whether its in golf, school, relationships, or, now, in Crossfit. But I’ve never been a quitter, so I’ll keep on keepin’ on, working as hard as I can to push myself as far as I can, reminding myself of where I am today versus where I was a year ago. So girls with your makeup on at the gym, keep doing your elliptical while reading a magazine, and guys keep doing your bicep curls. I’ll be at our box, with our loud music, with all of our #tribe pushing themselves more each day, and most importantly, watching and cheering on as our Spartans make it to Regionals. 

“Stars shine down from the black, and we’re picking thru this broken glass

Well how could we know that our lives would be so full of beautifully broken things”

Perspective becomes difficult when you know of times where everything was working out, everything seems to be going well, and then, as life goes, things change. Its tough because we often go directly back to remembering how times were, wishing for when life was easier, happier, simpler. I now take you back to the summer. Who doesn’t love summer? The season in itself is a happier time in this state. Michigan I love you, and I love skiing, but BRRRRRR. I can do nothing but describe it as the few months I pretended to live the life of a professional athlete. After some management changes and disagreements at the golf course, I quit my job. This was a huge deal for me because I am no quitter, and I loved the members and staff at Northville. But misery at work is no picnic. So I ended my time at the course, and moved myself up to EL for the summer. And man, a great summer it was. My daily routine consisted of waking up with my Starbucks, sometimes a good run with my Jaime, going to the golf course to practice for a few hours, heading to the pool to layout for Suntipede all day, then spending hours at Crossfit with everyone. Then I’d wake up the next day, and do it all again. Throw in a vacation here and there, and that was my summer. My schedule revolved around my golf tournaments, even having the opportunity to play in the Women’s US Open Qualifier. Life was good. And then, well… it wasn’t. All in one fell swoop, the summer came to an abrupt end. Law school began again, work started, my tournaments were done, no more lazy summer nights spent at Spartan, no more giggling roommate Marie, no more time for golf practice, no more laying out in the sun for Suntipede. Too many things had changed too quickly. And with my perspective focused on how they were, the fall was not a good time. But when you’re down, the kind words of others are sometimes what pull you out of the pit you’ve thrown yourself into. We’ve all been down there, and we have those closest to us that help pull us out.

“Life has many ways of testing a person’s will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen all at once.”

We’ve all been in situations where you only focus on the good things and try to block out anything that may indicate otherwise. We hear and see what we want to hear and see. That’s where input from others that can clear up your perspective is sometimes a blessing in disguise. I am lucky to have people like this there for me, to bring me out of that pit I sometimes throw myself into. In the fall, thanks to them, I could change my perspective on things once again. Life wasn’t that bad. Sure it wasn’t the flawless summer I had, but eh, life is never a walk in the park, it’s hard. Anyone who pretends otherwise, well, you’re dumb. Everyone has their own struggles in life they have to find a way to overcome, and that can be accomplished by approaching them with the right perspective. I’m not always your happy-go-lucky ball of positivity. Sarcasm is a favorite language of mine, and sometimes, yes, I enjoy being cynical. I can laugh and smile too people, don’t get me wrong. But all I will say is this… Look back and remember times in your life that you loved. Be thankful they happened. Be thankful for what you experienced. Be thankful for what you learned from them. Be thankful for who was brought into your life and everything they’ve given you. And always be ready for what life has in store for you next. You never know when your perspective on things can change again.

“What we see depends on what we’re looking for.”

So there you have it ladies and gentlemen. Keep the proper perspective in all that you do, one that doesn’t let you shy away from the positives, but also one that keeps your eyes open to everything going on in your life. Marie, my fellow Spartan Crossfitter, once wrote that “happiness is derived from the way you see your own life; it depends on your thoughts, not on what you have or what you do not have.” And perspective doesn’t just play a role in the deep rambling life thoughts I write, but it plays a role in how you view my city of Detroit too. Look at it with an open mind and see the beauty that is sometimes hidden within its streets. Detroit, keep hustlin’. I see the improvements you’re making, slowly but surely, and we’ll see what life has in store for you next, as well what it has in store for each and every one of us.