Concentrated power of will…

Who should get the “credit”, when a doctor does a phenomenal job on a surgery?  Surgeons typically say that, they do an excellent job, because they are the best.  Sadly, there are those that they are forgetting to thank.  If a gymnast does a good job on their balance beam routine, again, who should get the “praise”?  If a football player does a particularly good job during a game, they usually say that they thank God and their team mates.  They are also, forgetting to put someone on the appreciation list.  In all of these cases who deserves merit?  Who is the unsung hero?  The truth is that, yes, the individual themselves, should get a portion of the credit.  Yes, the team mates are also, a part of it.  God DEFINATLY played an important role.  But the person who is rarely appreciated, as much as they should be, is the coach, the trainer, the instructor or the teacher.  They “sometimes” get thanked while training, but all of the people mentioned, would not be where they are, if they did not have a good trainer, teacher, coach or the like.  Training is like this: 10% luck, 20% skill, 30% concentrated power of will, 5% pleasure, 35% pain and 100% reason to remember your instructors’ name (If not, it’ll be more “pain” lol).

I have a friend who is a firefighter.  The lives that he has saved, or helped save, is partly due to his skill and his associates.  However, he would not have those skills, if it were not for his instructors.  It is undeniable, that architects have exceptional knowledge.  Yes, their success is partly due to their own creativity, but they too, would not be where they are, if it were not for the teachers that they had.  No matter how capable a person is, at a specific task, they were once a neophyte.  

I spent two years at the local YMCA taking an aqua therapy type class.  I did this because it is extremely beneficial and safer for me, to move in the water, as opposed to exercising on land.  The entire time, at the YMCA, I saw very minimal benefits.  Don’t get me wrong, no matter how small the benefits were, they were still “benefits”.  Then over the summer, I moved to the local community center.  They have a great pool, an excellent staff and an exceptional instructor.  For the record, I’m sure all of the instructors are great, but I’m talking about the one that I have worked with the most.  In the beginning, I needed significant help.  The “chairlift” puts me in the water about 200 feet from where the class is held.  At that time, the instructor would, have to walk backward holding my hands, as I struggled to walk to the class location.  I always hold a water noodle, under my arms.  However, I was so unstable, that when I got to the class location, I would cling to the wall, like a gecko, sunbathing on a window.  I did this while I did my exercises, on my own, as I really could not participate in the class.  Often, the instructor would come over, to guide me by showing me exercises that would benefit me, and correct my form as needed.  As time went on, with her guidance, I got stronger, more stable and even braver.  I now, participate in 98% of the class, doing a few minutes of specific arm exercises.    Within 3 months, of working with her, I saw SIGNIFICANT benefits.  Now, 4 months later, I have also, swam to the deep end several times, using a very technical device called (I may misspell this), a waist floatee swim thingee lol.   I know that, it is extremely unlikely that, I will ever walk again, unassisted on land, as I have MS.  However, with her continued support, we will slow the MS progression considerably.  I have thanked her many times, and she has often said that, I did all the work.  And sure, you could put it that way.  Yet, as the instructor, her coaching and teaching is just as important.  My instructor understands how crucial, it is to me, to maintain my Independence.  She also recognizes, most of my limitations, and never hesitates to say “do only what you can”.  And at the same time, she encourages me, to go a little farther, when I am willing and able.  It is imperative for me, to not stop moving, because when you stop moving, you “rust”.  I also, have the willingness to push my boundaries, and implore her to, not let me “slack”.  This shows that, we make an excellent team, when it comes to my physical health.  

As you can see, the individual, and the fortitude they must have, is very important.  However, a great instructor is also tremendously important.  We all at one time, or another, needed to be trained, in some way.  So no matter if you work fast food, flipping burgers or work on the international space station and are fixing the oxygen system.  Trainers are extremely important and help keep us improving our skills.  So no matter if it is your teacher in school or your trainer at work, don’t forget to say “thank you”, frequently.  It may seem silly to say “thank you” so much, but the knowledge that they impart on you, may just save your life, or at least help you continue to make improvements.