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JUGHEADS
Youth Juggling Company, LLC
5905 Concord Avenue
Edina, MN 55424
jugheads@comcast.net
or 952.926.0896
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[Back to Paul's Platform main selection page]
April 2006
"Success
Measurements "
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No one person can be completely successful in every area of life. It is a sheer impossibility. Even though I am a Type A personality, I learned many years ago (through trial and error) that no leader is an island, and for a tangible success such as Juggle Jam, there are dozens of adults and more than 100 kids that directly contribute to its success. (More on that next month.)
Athletically, my Type A personality drove me to run two marathons. Two years ago, I willed myself back into the physique of my early 20's, but in the process, I developed a knee problem and at least two foot problems. Sidelined by these injuries, I rather quickly reverted back to my pre-marathon weight. Now, I'm content with trying to speed-walk for an hour several times a week, and I've set a goal to do 1000 pull-ups in the month of April. (If I'm to be "husky," at least I'll have muscle. Thanks to Dr. Mark Brancel for inspiration in this regard!) So, like Mr. Incredible, I've had to limit my expectations to my middle-aged body. It seems no matter how hard I try, I can't have both an ideal weight and be injury-free, but I do still look for ways to improve, to progress, to be successful in overall health.
Every Jughead has limitations, but all have the opportunity for success in Juggle Jam 8. More importantly, all may shine from the inside out. I openly tell the Jugheads during our rehearsals that I'm often more entertained by a well-placed pose, an interesting entrance/exit/facial expression, or a dance jig than a complex technical juggling combination. And I'm a juggling coach! However, I'm a youth worker first, and that makes me instinctively responsive to youth development over juggling development.
Don't get me wrong: I love to see a Jughead achieve new records, better technique, and fewer drops when performing. However, if those feats are accomplished in a vacuum, rather than toward developing personal character, then the work is in vain.
Life is full of revised expectations and challenges to overcome. The goal is to keep reaching high despite the obstacles. I'm excited for Juggle Jam 8 not only for the thrill of performing and seeing the fruit of months of hard work, but to realize once again the metaphor that life, though full of drops, can be lived with joy when one's eyes are fixed on the Prize.
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