A lesson from a 12 year old

9 months ago my son broke his knee. A double fracture to the patella to be precise. He did it whilst performing a double somersault at Gymnastics. He was training for the British Championships. 

He told me the day after doing it, whilst wearing a full leg brace, that despite not being able to train for months, despite the fact that he would be unfit and despite the fact that his knee might not heal in time, he was still going to be British Champion that year. Deep down I knew that would be tough, if not impossible. I never told him that however.

Several months later he was allowed to resume light training and enter the Southern qualifiers for practice. He was brave enough to perform the very skill that he broke his knee doing. He not only landed it, but he and his team qualified for the British Championship.

He continued to work so hard and be so focused, getting himself fit, getting himself back into the teams and most importantly, never letting go of his dream.

Then in July this year at the British Championship he and his team blew the opposition away with an outstanding performance to become British Champions.

The reason for sharing this? Well of course I am a proud Dad, but it highlighted to me that however impossible something may seem, even if others doubt you, if you want something bad enough and are prepared to do everything to achieve it, well, then perhaps everything is possible! And my learning? Never ever tell someone something is impossible. Encourage your kids, family, colleagues.....you never know, they might just surprise you !

And my son, well, he hasn't stopped smiling since.