Natural athleticism

Jace.  My son.  I see so much of myself in you.  Your perfectionism.  Fear of failure.  Natural athleticism.  School is easy.  Love of learning.

There is a saying that when raising a child, you need to raise yourself first.  I think of that a lot.  I think of myself when I see me in you.  I see you believe  you should get things perfect on the first try.  I see you overly critical of yourself.  I see you get your feelings hurt when someone has something negative to say about you.

I promise you I am doing my best to practice what I preach, but Jace I want you to embrace failure!  I want you not to see it as a measure of your ability, but rather a lesson that helped you learn!

I want you to understand you are naturally smart and athletic, but to also know that it doesn't mean you should never make mistakes or fail.  The converse is true! If you are able to learn early that failure is only a lesson in making you better, you will rule this world.  You can be anything you want to be.  That is true of everyone, but for you, you have natural ability and if it is combined with the belief that failure makes you better and if you can learn from mistakes you will be unstoppable....then Jace the sky truly is the limit for you.

Please always consider others in whatever endeavor you choose.  We were born to be of service to others and in service to others so we find our true identity, happiness, and purpose.

Today you learned to ride a bike without training wheels.  You are 5.  Daddy took them off Ashlynn's bike.  She is 8. She can't do it yet, but you asked to try and it took you a couple of turns and you did it.  You fell a few times first.  You were scared you told me, especially when you turned, but you still did it.  You did, and  you took off and flew.

That is a metaphor for life Jace.  Remember that moment of being 5.  You were scared, you were unsure, but the thought of succeeding and riding that bike was exciting and so you tried anyway.  You fell.  You fell a couple times, but you never gave up.....and when you learned to ride without training wheels, the smile on your face spelled a freedom you had never known.  Don't lose that Jace.  That is the power of our natural ability paired with you willingness to try and fail that will NEVER let you down.  Believe in yourself.  I'm so proud of you.  I love you.

Love Mom.

New Star Wars Bike we got you after you learned how to ride Ashlynn's bike