Objective for Today: Grappling
Note: One of my classmates (who happens to be a neurosurgeon) asked if I've ever had a stroke. The reason he asked is because I have nerve damage on the right side of my face. It's very subtle -- only those in the field of neurology seem to notice. Nevertheless, when folks notice, it does tend to bring up all kinds of insecurities and stuff from the past.
The answer to him was, no -- I didn't have a stroke. What I had was a genetic disorder called Craniosynostosis. I was born with it, and it required me to have head surgery at age two. The disorder left me with some nerve damage in my face, Hepatitis C (which I've treated recently with a drug treatment known as Harvoni), scars, and head deformity (which thankfully, is covered by a mop of hair which I still have in my 40s, God bless).
From all this, you might think I look like Frankenstein's monster. Truthfully, I don't. Most would never notice any of this. I'm a badass stud
However, when folks do notice, it brings up "my stuff."
We all have "stuff." It's the cards we're dealt with. How we play them is up to us.
One of the things I love about BJJ is that it forces me to face things totally out of my comfort zone. Not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. The fact that my classmates and I are close enough to ask questions about our most intimate and personal stories, and I can answer them -- is incredible.
This is just a thought for today after a hard class of drills and technique practice.
