Things gymnastics and cheerleading had taught me

[saitaina]

Originally published at Memoirs of a Nobody. You can comment here or there.

Things Gymnastics and Cheerleading Have Taught Me

1. If you’re going to fall, watch where you land, there will not always be a spotter there and the mats are never where you need them. Alternatively: Roll with change, it hurts less.

2. You can handle more then you think you can, and humans are heavier then you think

3. It is not a good idea to attempt to leap anything as tall as your head, you’re going to trip.

4. Music is fuel, and the first person to say ‘this is a silent movement’ deserves to be decked.

5. Smile, no matter what the hell’s going on. It pisses off your opponents and brightens your friends/fans/team. (Seriously, try this, just smile at people on the street…more then one person will smile back in-spite of themselves).

6. Yell. Loudly and for no reason. Not only will it give you a release but yelling encoragements brightens the spirits of the people you’re yelling on. Yell until your throat hurts. If your throat doesn’t hurt, you’re not doing it right.

7. Being bubbly and hyper is not a bad thing…unless you’re on a balance beam. See #1 if you try bubbly on a beam.

8. Lock your knees, they shake less and you don’t fall over. This is helpful if you’re on the back of a truck, a horse or asking a guy out.

9. People are depending on you, gossip is not, shut your mouth and watch the girl about to fall on your head. If not, it’s not only your spine that’s going to pay for it.

10. Just because you know how to fall, doesn’t mean you can throw yourself down stairs to get out of school. You will eventually pay for it when you’re twenty-six and can’t walk properly without pain.

11. Teamwork isn’t just a cute motto, do your share or lose a limb, your choice.

12. Fundraising was created as a tool of Satan, be kind and support those sweating for their desire.

13. Yes there really are thousands of people staring at you, stop hypervenilating, it just makes you look silly.

14. Yes they have funny names and look stupid, do the moves anyway, you’ll eventually learn to stop caring what the hell you look like.

15. You are not the shit, just because you can do a backflip, you will eventually lose this ability and be mortal like the rest of humanity. Learn humility before this time.

16. There will always be someone to take your place, stop looking over your shoulder and focus on today.

(there are more but these are the lessons I still use today).