WOWs - Blog #13 - SBN Samantha
I've been reading everyone's blogs on their WOWs, and I'm so pleased with what I have seen. The purpose of the WOW requirement, whether planned or not, is to get candidates to realize how they contribute to their community, work toward their own development, overcome challenges, etc. It has an element of understanding the self through the perspective of others, and I think all of the candidates have nailed their WOWs on the head. :)
Here are descriptions of the WOWs in my life during this test:
WOW #1:
Earlier this year, I was asked to help take on the scoring processes for a CrossFit competition run by CrossFit Cimmeria. While I have run many different events over the years, this was a new situation for me, and I was nervous because during ALL of Cimmeria's past competitions, the scoring was overseen by the same person and done the same way. She was unavailable this year, and so myself and Ty's wife, Courtney were asked to take it over. Long story short, my fresh perspective and systematic approach to logistical situations combined with some technical changes (with the guidance of Master Nick) made a HUGE difference in how scoring was done. Ty & Courtney stated they were so impressed with how calm I was, and how smoothly things went; in fact, they said it was the most well-run competition they had ever had...because of me. I was embarrassed by that compliment, but at the same time, it made me feel like I had contributed more than I thought possible. :)
WOW #2
A few weeks ago, we were approached by someone in need of a place to stay. Her and her young son were currently staying with a relative, but that situation was not permanent and needed to change fast due to some unforeseen circumstances. My immediate reaction was "of course we have to help them." My childhood included a lot of moving around due to financial strain, staying with others at times, taking others in when we could, etc. Helping people in need is how I was raised. I don't want to get into details for the sake of confidentiality, but I will say that due to some of the circumstances involved, the decision to help this person did elicit the following reaction from someone:
"Thank you, Sam. You have a very big heart! They are lucky to have people like you."
WOW #3
My sister and I are not close; we rarely talk (mainly cause I'm not much of a talker), and honestly, we are just so different from each other that when we do talk, I don't know what to talk about. She lives in Tennessee, and we see each other about every other year on average. Well, this year she turned 40 years old, and I decided a few months ago that I wanted to make her 40th birthday special, because I do love her very much, and want her to know that. I invited our lifelong friend (who's like a sister to us) to join me on a trip to visit Nashville for my sister's birthday last week, and the three of us had a wonderful time. My sister was so surprised and excited that I would plan a trip to come down for her birthday. :) Normally, when I've seen my sister over the last 15 years, either her kids or my kids have been around and needed attention. This time, we actually got to spend time together as adult women without our children around. We love our children, but when they are around we aren't able to actually focus on each other. This trip was refreshingly different. We actually got to talk to each other. I'm so glad that I decided to do this, as I feel it definitely brought my sister and I a bit closer together.
WOW #4
I feel like this WOW is a personal WOW. While I have tested for rank 3 times, I have never done it as a mother, let alone during the year following giving birth to my second child. I have blogged about this already, but I'm writing about it again as a WOW. Technically, my body is just now recovered from giving birth to Korben; I won't go into detail about how much it's changed since my 3rd Degree test in 2014. Aside from the physical challenges, my mental and emotional state has been a roller coaster over the last 10 months, but things do seem like they are back to "normal" now. Testing as a mother is such a different test; I can't just use all of my "free time" to train. I've had to balance so much more than when I was working full time and training, and I'm not even working right now! 😆 I do feel like I'm doing a good job of making it work, and I feel confident in saying "wow, good job" to myself when I reflect on the effort I've put in during this test.
Here are descriptions of the WOWs in my life during this test:
WOW #1:
Earlier this year, I was asked to help take on the scoring processes for a CrossFit competition run by CrossFit Cimmeria. While I have run many different events over the years, this was a new situation for me, and I was nervous because during ALL of Cimmeria's past competitions, the scoring was overseen by the same person and done the same way. She was unavailable this year, and so myself and Ty's wife, Courtney were asked to take it over. Long story short, my fresh perspective and systematic approach to logistical situations combined with some technical changes (with the guidance of Master Nick) made a HUGE difference in how scoring was done. Ty & Courtney stated they were so impressed with how calm I was, and how smoothly things went; in fact, they said it was the most well-run competition they had ever had...because of me. I was embarrassed by that compliment, but at the same time, it made me feel like I had contributed more than I thought possible. :)
WOW #2
A few weeks ago, we were approached by someone in need of a place to stay. Her and her young son were currently staying with a relative, but that situation was not permanent and needed to change fast due to some unforeseen circumstances. My immediate reaction was "of course we have to help them." My childhood included a lot of moving around due to financial strain, staying with others at times, taking others in when we could, etc. Helping people in need is how I was raised. I don't want to get into details for the sake of confidentiality, but I will say that due to some of the circumstances involved, the decision to help this person did elicit the following reaction from someone:
"Thank you, Sam. You have a very big heart! They are lucky to have people like you."
WOW #3
My sister and I are not close; we rarely talk (mainly cause I'm not much of a talker), and honestly, we are just so different from each other that when we do talk, I don't know what to talk about. She lives in Tennessee, and we see each other about every other year on average. Well, this year she turned 40 years old, and I decided a few months ago that I wanted to make her 40th birthday special, because I do love her very much, and want her to know that. I invited our lifelong friend (who's like a sister to us) to join me on a trip to visit Nashville for my sister's birthday last week, and the three of us had a wonderful time. My sister was so surprised and excited that I would plan a trip to come down for her birthday. :) Normally, when I've seen my sister over the last 15 years, either her kids or my kids have been around and needed attention. This time, we actually got to spend time together as adult women without our children around. We love our children, but when they are around we aren't able to actually focus on each other. This trip was refreshingly different. We actually got to talk to each other. I'm so glad that I decided to do this, as I feel it definitely brought my sister and I a bit closer together.
WOW #4
I feel like this WOW is a personal WOW. While I have tested for rank 3 times, I have never done it as a mother, let alone during the year following giving birth to my second child. I have blogged about this already, but I'm writing about it again as a WOW. Technically, my body is just now recovered from giving birth to Korben; I won't go into detail about how much it's changed since my 3rd Degree test in 2014. Aside from the physical challenges, my mental and emotional state has been a roller coaster over the last 10 months, but things do seem like they are back to "normal" now. Testing as a mother is such a different test; I can't just use all of my "free time" to train. I've had to balance so much more than when I was working full time and training, and I'm not even working right now! 😆 I do feel like I'm doing a good job of making it work, and I feel confident in saying "wow, good job" to myself when I reflect on the effort I've put in during this test.
Is it too cheesy if I say WOW? :) You're an amazing woman, SBN Samantha!!
ReplyDeleteha ha, thanks, BSBN Lia! :)
DeleteSamantha, those are amazing WOW's. You do have a BIG heart and the world is a better place with you in it :)!
ReplyDelete