Finding My Way: Guest Post by Alex Stobbe
Today’s post is written by Alex Stobbe, a young fighter I had the pleasure of meeting at Grindhouse MMA in Lee’s Summit, MO.
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Being only 22, others often neglect to consider the wisdom I have to share. Growing up particularly resentful and extra stubborn, I always had to learn life lessons on my own; I could never take anyone else’s advice. No one else could tell me that what happened to them was going to happen to me. No one could predict anything I was going to do. I was my own destiny. I made my own follies. I had to touch a hot stove to learn to not get burned. I had to stay outside too long in the cold to know that I would indeed get sick. I had to slide down multiple stair rails to know that there were countless ways to hit my head. My lessons wouldn’t be learned any other way.
As foolish as it sounds, this stubborn way of learning helped. The lessons typically stuck with me on a deeper level. Sometimes I wouldn’t learn my lesson at all, but let’s be honest. If messing up on my own didn’t show me the way, someone else’s words couldn’t guide me with a GPS. I have to fall until I fly or I won’t ever get off of the ground.
But being stubborn and riddled with mistakes, I have gained something that I don’t know can be earned in any other way: perspective. Granted, I am sure this has something to do with my free-spirit, open mind, and devil-may-care attitude, but it was at the very least the proverbial icing on the cake. All of the times that I have messed up on a grand scale, to the point where I didn’t know how I would ever make things right, someone has come along to help me. No, I don’t like to think I rely on others. But being at your worst and most vulnerable and still being able to be shown the good that exists is uplifting.
Too many times, we hear about all of the “bad,” the “wrong,” the “corrupt,” and when we need most to avoid those things, we can’t. It’s all we have left to believe in. But I have seen the good after every colossal boo-boo that I have made. I have seen that complete strangers can help you with wanting absolutely nothing in return. I have met people who have only genuine kindness inside of their souls. I have witnessed levels of compassion I had thought to be that only existing in fairy tales. I have seen the absolute worst in people; but even that cannot trump the amount of good I have witnessed.
Hence, through these acts of humanity that I have witnessed, the incredible people who have helped shape me – all of which stemming from my very numerous blunders, I have learned how to see things in a different light. I am not ashamed to be seen as a failure; I will consider myself successful every time I make a dream of mine come true. It may be rare for me to have money in my pocket, but I am going to be wealthy as long as I have a dream to chase. I may do foolish and silly things, but I am wise as long as I am the one smiling. I am going to fail. I am going to fall. I am going to burn bridges that I haven’t even crossed. But I will learn, I will grow, and I will find my way. No one will be able to stop me from finding the only thing that should matter to anyone: happiness.
But it also wouldn’t hurt to start listening…
Sincere thanks to Alex for stopping by and sharing some wisdom. To find out more about her, you can find her on Facebook or follow her on twitter. Be sure to check out her interview below.
