So, MAXTherapy was closed recently for a weekend as I was involved in heading off to the nation's capital to take part in the Good Neighbour Volleyball Tournament held over two days across multiple venues around Canberra. My team, the SAFE SETS STUDS were hitting higher than normal, playing in Div2. Well higher than normal for this little Stud-a-rina. The team was made up of some 'new' Studs from Canberra who were serious players indeed. Playing above one's weight division can do two things - make you rise to the challenge, and teach you lessons in focus and self belief.
I liken it to weight division as it certainly felt like I was playing with the big hitters. Trying to protect yourself from 'missile' balls directed at your head is a good enough challenge for anyone. Managing to somehow avoid impact injuries and still play a decent shot with a certain level of control is a 'nerves of steel' challenge.
It's easy to get too used to your comfort zone. Too used to feeling that you are on top of things if you never challenge yourself to push the bar that little bit higher. As a friend commented, sometimes it is better to lose the game and yet come away knowing that you made a good play at 'that point' or in 'that set' than to come away with a medal.
Playing in a team is another adjunct. Its pressure but on a different level. For when you are just letting yourself down, its sometimes easier to deal with than when you are letting down 6 or 7 other players. Not that anyone begrudges you a 'bad day at the office' on court. The 'want' or the 'desire' to be at your best for the sake of your teammates is perhaps more over-riding than any personal desire to perform to the best of your ability. This is where team sports teach you much more about yourself. How do you react when you are playing support as opposed to the lead? How do you assist the team when you are down and out? Its an exercise in morale that is invaluable to learn and can sometimes be a long path to find. I often feel blessed to have such tolerant and supportive team mates. It's sometimes hard to take the 'ballerina-diva' out of the boy so to speak, but the STUDS have always done it so well. :)
To find one's team in the final is a thrilling affair. To be losing that final miserably and seemingly unable to get to the top of your form is another thing. But to finish that final, walk away {and after a brief despondency}, yet still feel a sense of achievement when you look at the whole 2 days of play, is something that is much more lasting and more impressionable.
Its funny how it can leave you to come back and reflect on just how comfortable you are, and if you are truly happy in that comfort zone. Setting the bar higher is risky. You can be like to fall and not make the cut. But to nudge it up and see how much you can rise up to that challenge is sometimes more fulfilling than anything you would have achieved if you hadn't.
