I just returned home from a two-day, on-site visit with a DI lacrosse program. With the start of the season a week away, we discussed integrating ideas into action.
Thoughts and ideas are the language of the brain; emotions and movements are the language of the body. It’s not enough to know information; we must embody what matters most: faith in our performance, trust amongst each other, and belief in who we are.
“A painter paints with her hand. An artist paints with her hand and her mind. A master paints with her hand and her mind through her heart.”
In high-pressure situations, if we stay in our head, we’re dead. When we play with our heart, it’s a playful art…
Each player on the team shared a hero, a highlight, and a hardship. I was completely moved as every individual opened up with courage and vulnerability. Some shared about losses of a loved one. Others shared how certain teammates inspired them. Everyone went beyond one-word answers, elaborating on the events and people who have pulled on their heartstrings. At the end, I found myself taking several seconds in silence [mid-speech] to hold back my own tears before thanking them for going where all great teams must go: deep. The deeper the conversation, the stronger the connection.
Vulnerability stems from the notion: capacity to be wounded. Once we are vulnerable, we could either be cut down or bonded with those around us.
This requires risk.
High-performance teams must expose their hearts to one another in order to attain excellence.
Tears were shed. Being uncomfortable was embraced. With each courageous sentiment expressed … the I’s, My’s, and Me’s evolved into Us, Our, and We.
Passion means enduring or suffering. Compassion means to suffer together. When we actively choose to use compassion to combat suppressed shame, we feel into each other’s realities, we attach, and we see one another FULLY, amid all blemishes and imperfections.
Anything worth doing is worth over-doing.
Confidence comes from doing what we are great at.
Let’s become great, through reps, at compassion.
Why?
Who doesn’t want that?
Take the risk.
MG