LANGLEY AFB, VA. —
Before we can run, we must walk. Before we can walk, we must crawl.
Cliché – yes.
True – definitely.
I know because I watched my daughters grow. First, they’re learning to roll from side-to-side. Then, they get strong enough to push themselves up and scoot across the floor. Finally, they summon the courage to stand and face humility if they fall.
My mother said I used the same process as a baby. As an adult, I recently had to use that process again. I lost strength after I injured my shoulder playing rugby. I loathed going back to the gym while my shoulder recovered.
While I was in the Marine Corps I once boasted pressing 315 pounds. Yet, there I was, six foot, 225 pounds barely able to press the bar.
I felt like people were staring and wondering, “Why is a guy that size lifting so little?”
I felt that way until I realized that everyone starts somewhere. If my children were brave enough to face falling down over while trying to walk, I was brave enough to go back to the gym and get my strength back.
After all, even the great writer Homer, was once illiterate.