Change is a Good Thing

Posted in WPSU’s This I Believe, 2010-07-29

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I believe in change. If you never change anything in your life, things get boring. Change gives you character and keeps you interesting.

I used to be an avid gymnast. I practiced more than 20 hours every week for years. My coach said I had a lot of potential, and she pushed me hard. She’d say things like, “Next year you’re going to do one meet as a level 8 then finish the season as a level 9.” I tried to believe I could do the things she talked about, but the goals were overwhelming. I got so stressed out I had trouble sleeping at night. And I was only TEN!

I told my mom I wanted to quit gymnastics. Of course, she didn't want me to quit. I’d been doing it since I was two. So I had to make the choice myself, and at such a young age that was hard to do. I sat down with my mom and my coach, Amy, and told them I was tired of gymnastics. They cried. My mom accepted my decision, but my coach kept asking if I was sure. Finally we came to the conclusion that I would take a month off, and if I still wanted to quit, then I could.

In the early days of my month off, I was bored. It was summer, so there wasn't any school to keep me busy. I ended up watching a lot of T.V. I even cleaned the house.
But then, during one of those days at home, I decided I wanted to play soccer. I started dribbling a ball around the house, kicking it back and forth between my feet. I got more and more touches on the ball everyday.

By the time the month was up, I had decided to quit gymnastics and play soccer. I felt so free. I didn't play as much soccer as I had practiced gymnastics, but I loved it more than anything in the world and I still do. If I hadn’t had the courage to quit gymnastics, I would never have known how much I like soccer.

Everyone used to know me as the gymnast, especially at my mom's work. When I would go into work with her to pick up papers they would always ask me, “How are you doing in gymnastics?” I was nervous to tell everyone I had quit. But after a while saying “I quit,” felt good. It felt real. Now everyone asks me, “How are you doing in soccer? How’s school going?”

Change can be difficult at first, but you shouldn’t keep doing something that makes you unhappy just because you’re afraid of change. If your heart tells you it’s time for a change, do it. You can learn through change. I believe change is a good thing.

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