I was just preparing to write this blog–feeling terribly uninspired–when I came across this post in a blog devoted to Roller Derby. It struck a chord with me and I felt we had to share this. Enjoy!
Confucius and chumbawumba agree: it’s about falling and getting up.
Posted on April 5, 2011 by Tim NekritzOur greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. — Confucius
Fall seven times, stand up eight. — Japanese proverb
I get knocked down. But I get up again. You’re never going to keep me down. — “Tubthumping,” Chumbawumba
Words of wisdom through the ages lead to one of the most impressive feats of roller derby — the tough ladies of Oz Roller Girls and other teams get hit. A lot. Yet they get up. Smiling. A lot.
Roller derby comes with thrills and spills. (Photo credit: Port City Photography.)
Hitting and getting hit may be the toughest adaptation for many derby skaters. You’ll see an initial reluctance to hit in practices, especially because everyone’s friends. And there’s a fear of getting hit. But Coach Phil runs specific hitting drills to accustom rollergirls to hitting (cleanly), taking hits and falling small.
Falling small means that when you go down, you try to pull your body into a ball. Extraneous limbs can get run over and, in what could add insult to injury (literally), if an opponent trips over an arm or leg because you didn’t fall small, you receive the penalty.
Storm Warning and Rockem Sockem spontaneously demonstrate the art of falling small. (Photo credit: Port City Photography.)
There’s no shame in getting drilled hard in derby — our girls often say “nice hit” to their opponent after we get tagged. Even the best skaters will take big hits from time to time. It’s part of the game.
And honestly, watching our newer skaters take the hits, and get back up — smiling, even — is downright heartwarming, strange as that sounds. But then, doesn’t this kind of persistence, the willingness to take a chance, extend to how we should lead our lives in general? Hey, if Confucious and Chumbawumba agree, it has to be true.
Although the subject of “Tubthumper” is a full-on drinking binge, I myself recently found how inspiring the simple message is. Watch here:
I crank this up when I hear it on the radio. It evokes that “Don’t mess with me!” attitude. Doesn’t matter what comes at me…I get up again and you’re never gonna keep me down.
The Healing Loft 