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Anything Worth Doing
by Jennifer Shike
Last month I decided to try something new. Water skiing. I married into a family that loves the water. I prefer land. So, when the idea of water skiing was brought up, my heart stopped. I reminded my husband that I am just not comfortable floating around in the middle of a lake. I’d rather be riding a bucking horse across a pasture.
Despite my hesitation, his family continued to encourage me to give it a try. After all, they loved skiing – why wouldn’t I?
So, as vacation approached, I decided I had nothing to lose (except my pride).
The weather was a bit cool when we pulled up to our cabin in Minnesota.
Immediately, everyone ran to get their swimwear for an evening ski. I hesitantly followed, a step behind the others.
The walk out to the lakefront was a quick one – I hoped it would take a bit longer. I watched aunts and uncles and cousins gracefully ski across the lake.
Then, the moment of truth. As I strapped on my ski vest and began swimming to the take-off spot, I started to wonder what I was thinking.
I had no business water skiing. I knew I couldn’t do as well as the rest of the family. I would probably embarrass myself by falling or getting hurt.
As the boat revved up and I grabbed the rope, my fears were confirmed. On the first attempt, I didn’t even get up out of the water. I lost my balance and somersaulted backwards.
Not exactly a shining first experience.
But, I tried again and actually made it out of the water on my second try. I still looked pretty funny, but I was technically skiing for a brief moment. I tried quite a few more times that week, but never quite accomplished the perfect “finish.”
Have you ever been told, “Anything worth doing is worth doing well?”
If you believe this phrase to be true, it’s pretty safe to say that for me, skiing isn’t worth doing because I did not do it well.
Last week I heard an even better approach to this famous saying: Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly.
Now, that fits my skiing adventure better. And it is true. Water skiing is a fun sport, and like anything, no one does their best their first time out.
But if it’s worth doing, it’s worth the embarrassment that comes from ingesting gallons of lake water.
In the National Junior Swine Association, we have two groups of members. There are the members who live by the phrase, “Anything worth doing is worth doing well,” and the members who live by the saying, “Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly.”
I am proud to say that we have many members who know what it takes to get the job done well when it comes to their swine projects.
Each year, they raise or purchase a new gilt, care for her and prepare her for the NJSS. And as each year comes and goes, they become better and more skilled at this task.
However, I am even more proud that we have members who are not afraid to try new things and who are willing to stretch their limits at our shows and events.
This past summer we implemented a new extemporaneous speaking contest into the NJSS.
Congratulations to the seniors who tried this contest for the first time. You still may have room for improvement, but now you know you can do it.
It is exciting to be around young people who believe enough in themselves to try something new. I believe they will go the furthest in life.
True success isn’t about winning first place by doing what you’ve always done well. To me, true success is having the courage to be uncomfortable for a little while in order to fully experience life.
Take advantage of the opportunities to try something new – something worth doing poorly at first – in the NJSA.
Whether you are 6 or 16, there are many opportunities awaiting you in our organization. If you haven’t given a speech in the speech contest, start working on one for next summer.
Outstanding NJSA scholarship applications are due Dec. 1. Have you requested your application yet?
Don’t let your fears of the water keep you in the boat. Grab onto the rope and see what’s out there.
