Be Fearless in the Pursuit of What Sets Your Soul on Fire

At the beginning of last month Anthony decided to join track. 

It has changed his life. 

The past year has been more difficult for Anthony. The beginning of High School saw him suffering with anxiety and feelings of despondency. New situations are hard for him, and High School is the ultimate new situation. It wasn't anything we couldn't help him work through, but you can only do so much as a parent. At some point, you have to just let them find their own way with the tools and support you've given them.  

And he did. 

Anthony has come alive. He has become more responsible, more motivated. He is more patient, more understanding, more willing. He has grown in ways I can't explain. It's like a light bulb went off in his head and he finally saw that he has it within his own power to be happy and create the life and future he wants for himself, instead of just letting life happen to him and being anxious about the unknown. 

It has been a wonderful transformation, and I pray he continues on this path. Track has lit his soul on fire, and that fire continues to grow and spread into other parts of his life. 

Every now and again, Anthony gets the opportunity to stay after track for some one on one time with his track coach. He has taken a shine to pole-vaulting, and while he does do other events, pole-vaulting is where his heart is at. Every week he improves on is personal record. I believe the highest he's gone is 9'6" now. Earlier this week Sam was able to watch Anthony pole-vault during one of his one on one sessions with his coach and get a few videos!

I love watching his face light up when he talks about his practices and meets. How he's making more friends, how everyone is so kind and encourages each other, how he's excited and proud of himself when he reaches a new personal record. My heart just burst with pride. 

I'm excited to watch him grow in self and skill over the rest of his High School years. 

With love,

Mama Hauck