I've been trying to figure out how to write this blog since the beginning. How to tie in cheerleading with the World Race. For those that do not know, cheerleading has been a part of my life forever. It's in my blood…..it's comfort and home for me. So what better way to do this blog than to give it to you in list form…..via numbers…..but only 11 (for all you cheerleaders I know we usually stop at 8, but let's compromise this time….ok?).
(Let's play "Where's Skylar"….circa 2003)
1. Cheerleading defined what the words SQUAD and TEAM mean.
*For me, a squad is similar to a TRIBE (shout out to my ACE Tribe Family!). V
Squad is one tribe, but we are split into teams within our tribe. Get it?!
2. It taught me all about sweating profusely, smelling, and sweating some more…..and that those things are normal….and for the most part….accepted.
3. Going to competitions frequently made packing second nature, and we had to pack specific things……you couldn't go to a competition and forget your uniform or shoes?! So I learned how to pack…..a lot…..not to minimize, but to over pack. Wait….scratch this one…..that hasn't helped me at all.
4. Let's try this one again. How about COMMUNITY? Yes, cheerleading has taught me so much about community and how important it is to have this. The people I worked with, were the people I cheered with, were the people I lived with, hungout with, and ate with. We surrounded each other 24/7. That can sound like a lot, but let me tell you…..it was a lifesaver!
(Just a few of my Tribe Family members)
5. The rumor mill has spread, and I've heard that this whole World Race thing is considered a "cult". Well let me tell you right now that if the World Race is a cult, then so is cheerleading…..both of which I'm proud to be a part of!
6. I've learned about acceptance. That being different from the societal norm is okay. So what? We are who we are for a God-given purpose, and it's our job to accept these things about each other….and that it's NOT our place to judge anyone…..ever.
(Some of the greatest kids you'll ever meet…..ACE Warriors #hungry)
7. Family. I think I learned this early on in the cheer world, because it's in my family. Literally. My dad was a gymnast and coached gymnastics, my brother cheered and then became a cheer coach, and the same for me. Creating a family is huge, because these are the people you'll need to turn to when things are rough. Cheerleading has taught me how to create a family….in my case….a Tribe Family.
(My brother an I at a cheerleading competition)
8. Having structure. There is a time and place for everything. For fun, for practice, for competition. This has made finding that fine balance so much easier in life. It has made preparing for the race somewhat easier as well. To know that there is a specific time to have fun, have ministry, team time, and more.
(Seeing moments like this….prepared me for the World Race)
9. Bonding. I don't think this one needs a huge explanation. It speaks for itself.
(Some crazy awesome kids that I coached….feel the love?)
10. How to have an open heart, and to just love. Man, this has been so good to me over the years. To love on each other, to love on the sweet babies and older kids, and to be open to loving what God sets before me.
(Can you tell I love these kids?)
11. I saved the best for last. Stunting. For those not familiar with cheerleading, stunting is when one or more person puts another person in the air. This was what got me sucked into cheerleading, and why I stayed. It's what I'm best at, and when it comes to teaching it……game on! How does this relate to the World Race? Well it states in the Bible that we make up the "Body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). Each part is just as important as the next in order to make the "Body of Christ" function properly. Stunting relates to this, in that, every person that makes up a stunt group is just as important as the next in order for the stunt to hit. Pretty amazing, right?!
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