My capoeira belt rank test is Saturday. I have to drive four hours away to take it, take a workshop the day before, sleep over night, and then test with about 150 other people. Or so.
I'm nervous. I don't think I'll make rank. And I really want to.
Any words of wisdom?
___________________
Yes, I know - I still owe answers to your questions. As soon as I come up for air from the realities of my life, I PROMISE I'll Get It Done.
I don't know how all of that works, but I DO know how you work...HARD!! I think you can do it-you now the stuff and you work hard, that equals success in my book.
I fully expect a Sunday post saying "I did it!!!"
But good luck, too!
Posted by: Headless Mom | April 16, 2008 at 11:52 PM
You know the only wisdom you need for the day:
It's about the journey, and if your journey leads to the belt, it was for a lesson for you, and if it doesn't, it was for a different lesson for you!
Enjoy the process. They don't do executions for those who don't make the belt, right?
Just be awesome.
Posted by: lc | April 17, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Carmen, I have done sooooo many auditions and recitals as a flutist, and have had to deal with these nerves more often than I can count. My best advice is "fake it til you make it." If you keep thinking about how nervous you are, that's all that your brain will focus on, even when you're concentrating on what you need to do to make rank. If you concentrate on "dude, I can so do this, I have no reason to be nervous, I'm not nervous, why should I be nervous?" your brain will believe you and you'll be fine. If you're asked if you're nervous, the only answer is "nope, not nervous, I'm ready." It's seriously a mind game. The only time I let my nerves kick me in the teeth I had a rip-roaringly bad audition. Every other time I was fine. Fake it til you make it, babe! You're going to be great!
Posted by: jen | April 17, 2008 at 11:15 AM
keep your head in the game and your eye on the prize- you are what you think. have fun.
Posted by: surfmom | April 17, 2008 at 05:41 PM
Just remember where you were * years ago...You've come so far and done such an amazing job...You've worked hard and if you don't make it...just think about if you would have even attempted this * years ago...I'm so proud of the way that you are always open and honest with all of us. Thanks for showing us vulnerability!
Posted by: Cathy | April 17, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Good luck tomorrow, and remember of all that you have already accomplished. You danced ballet, and how many times were you tested then? And you have six kids, how many times do they still test you? And you have the drive to keep going at all costs. You will do great, no matter the outcome, you will still succeed. You always have, and you always will...
Posted by: Nobody | April 19, 2008 at 10:05 PM