10 Things I Learned About Perseverance From a Very Young Unicycler

I'm biting my nails and I may not have any eyebrows left soon, since I keep pulling on them. My eight-year-old has just three more weeks to make the unicycle club in time for the school circus. Just three short weeks to pedal her way all around the perimeter of the gym, and if she cannot, well, I'm not going there right now because my mama bear heart cannot fathom the depths of pain and disappointment that will result. For now, I'm focusing on persevering, because she is our Mighty Mouse, small but brave, bright, adventurous, and hilarious. Everything she does is to the utmost degree, every day to her is the best day ever, and she has attacked unicycling with the single-minded determination of Patton in Europe. But she keeps falling. And falling. And falling. I have seen her fall hundreds of times, in so many hard crashes that I think she'll need new kneecaps before she reaches 5th grade. But what I have learned about persevering from watching her has challenged my heart and made me wish I could be like her. 1. When you fall, get up as fast as you can. That way you have more time to work on getting better before time runs out. 2. Keep your tears for in the car. Don't waste time crying during practice. 3. Some people will start after you and finish first. That hurts, but it doesn't mean you aren't any good. 4. You will be covered in bruises. That is part of learning. 5. Sometimes you can go all the way across the gym, but no one sees. Somehow, they all see when you fall right away. Keep going. 6. Every day, you get a little better, but only if you show up for practice. 7. Pedal just a little further than you think you can, and your balance may fix itself. 8. When you look at what other people are doing that is better than you, you fall. Focus on your own work. 9. Don't pay attention to people who tell you to give up, or who say unkind things. Show them they are wrong when you succeed. 10. Say "I can. I can. I can." That little engine knew what he was talking about. Go get it, Girl. And when you do, come and give your Mama a big hug. I'm rooting for you!