Gymnastics | 5/10/2024 1:42:00 PM

Dear Gymnastics,

I have no words to adequately express how much I've loved being a gymnast the past 22 years. 

While you are just a sport, I've learned and experienced almost everything about who I am through you. 

I've learned discipline and how to say no to what I want now for what I want most.

I've learned grit and how sometimes I have to dig my heels in the ground and put up a fight - primarily against my own self-doubt, fears, and lies I've told myself. 

I've learned how to work hard through blood, sweat, and many many tears.

I've learned the best things in life do not come quickly, easily, or by chance. 

I've learned how to relax, rest, and surrender results - probably the hardest lesson for me. 

I've learned about the Lord, and how my career and life are in His hands. I glorify Him not just in what I do, but how I do it. 

I've learned that the greatest joy comes not just from His gifts, but from the gift of Himself, which I've experienced through doing gymnastics. 

However, at the end of the day I have to recognize that you didn't teach me this. God did. He used my coaches, teammates, parents, family, mentors, and Himself to teach me, because at the end of the day, you are just a sport - of course the most fun sport that could ever possibly exist - but regardless, just a sport. 

My identity is not found in you, but I've found it through you.

God could use anything to teach me these things, but I'm thankful he used you. 

So, I can move on to the next season leaving you behind, but taking everything you taught me - the good, the bad, the fun, and the hard. 

I can truthfully say not once did I want to quit, and I gave it all I had to the very end. 

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." Colossians 3:23

Love,
Daisy