The 2012 U.S. National Figure Skating Championship is history and once again, my favorite, Alissa Czisny doesn’t stand atop the podium. While a second place finish by the reigning champion is certainly not scoff-worthy, her continued battle with inconsistency boggles the mind.Alissa has been one of my favorites since she finished in the top ten at the 2003 U.S. championships. Even then, she had enough grace, beauty and talent to become the next Michelle Kwan. So what happened? Inconsistency. And—I’m only guessing—self-doubt.
The skating world cheered when Alissa finally got everything together to finish first in the 2009 short program at Nationals. But inconsistency—or maybe demons hiding inside her skates –would strike again. She floundered, finishing only third in the long program. Fortunately, her five point lead allowed her to obtain her first National title. She is one of the world’s most elegant skaters with athleticism to match, so she should have been on her way to a Wheaties box. Not so fast. She finished only tenth at the 2010 U.S. Championships—and missed out on making the Olympic team.
According to the press, Alissa considered quitting, but a guy you might have heard of, Brian Boitano convinced her otherwise and she skated in as the 2011 U.S. Champion. On a roll? No way. She had all the tools to be the first female since Michele to win back-to-back championships, but she floundered. Not a lot, but enough to keep her from the prize.
It occurred to me that Alissa’s plight is not unlike the writer seeking publication. We work on our version of jumps and spins (craft); we strive for beautiful artistry (great plots, better characters, unrelenting tension); we practice endless hours (editing, editing, and more editing); and, we seek the very best costume (pitch, query, synopsis). Everything is as perfect as perfect can be. Yet we still get rejections. Because the timing is wrong, or we flub that perfect pitch, or the query gets lost in cyberspace.
At age 25, Alissa is considered old in a world dominated by youngsters, yet she perseveres. She can erase her flubs and silence the naysayers with a placement at the world championships—like a writer can erase the pain of a hundred rejections with one sale. Once we’ve perfected our manuscript, like Alissa, we must quit trying to force events, we must simply let it happen.
In the meantime, we can take comfort in a quotation by Robert Schimmel that is allegedly Alissa’s favorite: “Life is not about learning to survive the storm, but rather learning how to dance in the rain.”
What inconsistencies are hampering your life goals?
COPYRIGHT © 2012 by Robin Weaver
11 comments:
As Aristotle (I think) said, "an unexamined life is not worth living." You put paid to that with your blog. Thanks for the kick in the butt.
Robin, what an interesting post. I love to watch figure skating, and I agree that it's an endeavor, as in writing, that requires constant practice to hone the required skills. Both fields involve some level of subjectivity in evaluation as well.
Very nice analogy. Life's rejections sound so much more appealing when thought of as part of the living process.
Off to dance in the rain. - Rowanne
Great comparison. Especially the self-doubt one. That is a big dragon for anyone of us.
Excellent post, Robin. I think the analogy is apt. I'm just glad as a writer my "costume" is made of words not sequined leotards my butt would never wriggle inside.
Linda--you are too funny!
And the thing that struck me, is that if you quit, then you do fail. Glad Alissa hung on to her dream and persisted despite the heartache and difficulties. I too shall persevere despite the trials. (James 1: 2-4)
And I'm with Linda, no sequins on my hiney!
I haven't really been into figure skating as such. I mean look at all those girls and guys who can contort their bodies into almost karma sutric positions at incredibly high speeds. (Or am I having a flashback to my last skiing debacle.)
Reading your blog on figure skating makes me smile and want to give the sport another look. Thanks.
That's a great quote, Robin.
Thanks.
S it all goes back to (drum roll, please) persistence! "Pick yourself up -- dust yourself off-- and start all over again."
Wonderful analogy Robin, one that we can all read again more thoughtfully and maybe even print out and hang up over our computers. Thanks!
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