Sorry if this sounds cliche, but I was recently reminded of how important it is to get back up when you fall. Actually, I’m not sorry. Getting back up is important – in life, in love, in sports, in everything. Getting back up and trying again is the most important thing you can possibly do.

The other day I crashed hard on my snowboard, hit my head, and ended up with a pounding headache, a black eye, and a bruised ego. The way I see it, I’m very lucky. If I hadn’t been wearing a helmet, or crashed a different way, I could’ve been seriously injured. After taking a break to make sure I was ok, I hopped back on the chairlift and went straight for the trick again… and I nailed it. Even though I was still shaken up, I was pumped. I knew I had it all along; I just needed to show myself. Enjoy the video of my crash 🙂

On a more personal note, I recently decided to open my heart for the first since it was smashed to pieces nearly two years ago, when my relationship of 7 years ended. I’m excited that I’ve found someone who makes me want to break down the walls I’ve built to guard my emotions, but risking getting hurt again scares the hell out of me. Most of me feels like the risk will be worth the reward, part of me feels like I’m just waiting to catch and edge and fall flat on my back, again. Let’s hope not… that hurts… a lot.

What I’m saying is that some things in life are much easier and much faster to come back from than others. It doesn’t matter how fast you fall or how slow you get up. What matters is that you do, and you do it for you… no one else.

I finally got back up. This time better. This time stronger. This time ready. And even if I fall again, there is only one thing to do…. get back up and try again.

“You cannot let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”