Yesterday morning, I awoke before dawn. Pitch black outside, I left the house without breakfast. My weigh-in weight had to be exact and I couldn't go over. I drove to Irvine and put on my "Gi". I went downstairs to the weigh in area and checked in, surprised to find that I was 4 lbs. under. I nervously stretched and jumped up & down, trying to get loose and warm up. Before I knew it, I was at the scorer's table, getting some last second advice from a friend. "He looks like a wrestler, be ready to sprawl if he charges you." We shook hands and in Portuguese, the referee announced "Combat." The battle was a blur, but in the end, my opponent had my right arm fully extended ready to break. It was time to give up. Live to fight another day.
After the disappointment of losing my 1st Jiu (Jew) Jitsu tournament match began to wear off, I realized some of the lessons I took out of the experience. First, the power of commitment to an ideal and goal. Many ask me how I can keep kosher, how difficult it must be. With Passover coming up & its many food restrictions, this question is as relevant as ever. But when it came to my food preparation for this tournament, it was relatively easy. My desire to be able to compete and realize my goal far outweighed my desire for pizza (and I LOVE pizza). It's a powerful thing to have something you believe in to the point of self sacrifice.
When challenged, sometimes we have to give up and ask for help. Ego would dictate that we can never accept help from others, that we have all of the answers. When I "tapped out" and submitted to my opponent, I realized I was outclassed and have more to learn. We mustn't be afraid to ask others for advice and help, to navigate life's challenges. We win some and lose some, but we continue to fight the battles of life.
Ultimately, I learned that showing up to a challenge is more than half the battle. Win or lose, you showed up. We have challenges throughout life, that we can shy away from or confront with a positive attitude. As a Jew, we are taught that every challenge or hardship, really comes from a good, Divine place, and has a purpose. Our job is just to show up and give it our all.
Life is short, but what we do rings for eternity. Hillel the Elder stated 2,000 years ago: "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And when I am for myself, what am 'I'? And if not now, when?" (Ethics of our Fathers 1:14). Wishing you lots of success on your journey ahead!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom!
