Challengin' Up

When I was in 8th grade, my dad and I attended a Parent Info night at my junior high school intended to inform incoming 9th graders about their course options the next year. I distinctly remember listening to the 9th grade Honors Biology teacher tell us that only motivated, determined students should take 9th grade Honors Biology (instead of whatever lower-level course they offered) because it required a long-term Science Fair project, and was designed to prepare students for advanced science classes in high school, ending with AP Bio and Chemistry.

I had absolutely no interest in science, and even less interest in doing a huge research project, but when she said only the best students should take the class, I took it personally. That was me, wasn't it? Wasn't I smart enough? Yes, damn it! Afterward, I told my father that I thought I should take Honors Biology (plus every other advanced course they were offering.) He looked at me and laughed, knowing full well I had no interest in the subject, and no discipline to pull off a Science Fair project (and no parents willing to do it for me). He shook his head and said, "I could feel you challengin' up just sitting there!"

(My father was from East Texas. "Challengin' up" made total sense, to him and to me.)

The POINT is, he was right. And I've had that feeling many times since: the belief inside that I CAN do it, even if it won't be easy. Or practical. Or fun. (This also might explain why I live in a 6th floor walk-up in Harlem and am in year 4 of my doctoral program, with no end in sight.) To be clear, this feeling does not extend to any sort of self-deprivation or physical conditioning. I mean, come on. Who needs to be such an over-achiever?

So. This week it's my sister who needs a little challengin' up, I think. Every day is going to be a slog until THE day, whenever that is. So I thought I'd put up some daily doses of inspiration, from the glorious treasure chest that is YouTube. Let's kick it off with a couple of classics, shall we? Turn it up!



And what could be more inspiring than Stonie Clark and his 1994 goal-line stand against OU in the last seconds of the game?? Hook 'em!


I'm feeling better already. Hope you are, too.