Just say "damn it".

When I was a much younger man, I played several sports; football, basketball, baseball, and racquetball to be specific.  These activities brought me much happiness, kept me in shape, and helped me sleep well at night.  It seems however that one sport I didn't participate in, but apparently should have, is track; and again more specifically, the hurdles.

I have watched in amazement many times as athletes approach the hurdles, saying quietly to myself "There is no way they're going to make that leap".  I continue to watch in amazement as of course they almost always do clear the hurdle as well as never break stride.  Again I whisper "How did they do that?"  I picture myself in their shoes, running like mad trying to finish the race I started.  I see the hurdle coming.  Still running, I have two options: quit the race, or just say "Damn it", jump feet first, and give it my best.

THAT picture is exactly how I felt, and still sometimes feel, in applying for a charter school, chairing the board, and working to keep it running now that we're open.  Don't misunderstand me, it has been incredible and the school is amazing.  I am excited every time I walk down the halls and greet the children as well as the faculty.  We've done a wonderful thing.  But it wasn't always wonderful.

We had many hurdles to clear to get to this point.  I'm the last of the original board that applied to have a charter school in Pitt County.  We've had several since that volunteered and then realize that the time demand is too much.  We had to delay opening for a year because of red tape locally.  We had lots of emails from the state level concerning everything from facilities to policies.  Through it all - we kept jumping because quitting the race is not an option.

Life will place things in your way, hurdles, to test your mettle; to see what you're made of.  It's okay to be nervous about it, or even scared.  At these points you have to remember there is a reason you put yourself in the starting blocks to begin with.  So just when you think you can't go any further, or can't make it, just say "damn it"...

and jump.  You'll be fine.