Remember when I pondered liminal space and how helpful, albeit uncomfortable, it can be at times?

 

How it’s necessary to honor the space between not yet and no longer? From mental health research to yogic teachings, we know that being able to operate in this liminal space is a sign of health and maturity, some would even say enlightenment.

 

But then, well, it really boils down to us acknowledging (honoring, respecting, etc) our limitations in order to transcend them. Limitations may simply be our “shadow side” talked about extensively in Jungian psychology, or they may be more practical restrictions like finances, injures, illness, etc.

 

(I swear this post isn’t all about you making you read past ones ;-p Stick with me here).

 

Ok, so we don’t stay there forever. It may feel like we do at times, and change is certainly constant in the grand scheme of things, but at some point, we usually either choose to not choose (to wait, pause, or otherwise redirect) or we choose a course of action.

 

We ask ourselves:

Am I in?

Or am I out?

 

I’m in.

 

I wasn’t sure if I would be. I’ve spent the last handful of years essentially trying to reprogram my inner and outer self toward something more “me” and less “Marine” (despite what my business name, Semper Sarah® may lead you to believe! Haha). I’ve seen that reprogramming as a juxtaposition of soft and strong.

 

I’ve been a competitive athlete my entire life in form or another. Although I kept playing sports, I really thought 2011 when I played soccer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the Military Olympics would be my last hoorah for true competition at that level. I intended to keep playing, but didn’t think I’d ever really push myself to train again to that degree.

 

In early 2011, when we left Washington DC (where my spouse and I met playing Gaelic Football) and moved to Ohio where there wasn’t a Gaelic Football team, we found Australian Rules Football (aka: “Footy”). When we moved to Denver in 2012, we found a team of champions. In 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, I was a member of the Denver Lady Bulldogs National Championship team. In 2016, we played a tough game in the final to end up runners up. (Side note, we fully intend to reclaim the title in 2017 😉 ).

 

With my work and travel schedule, life, yoga practice and teaching, and my aspiration to personally redefine myself with all things not-Marine, frankly, my commitment to the team hasn’t been 100%. Some years that felt more like choice, other years more like it was just the way it was due to things I had no control over.

 

So when in 2016 I tried out for, and later that year, found out that I made the Team USA “Freedom” Australian Rules Football squad, I had a mix of emotions. First, I was surprised. Competition was stiff; the level of the women’s game is steadily on the rise; and although I’d prepared, I knew I wasn’t at my top fitness or skill level at the try out camp last summer. And two, the 2017 International Cup tournament timing and cost presents a host of conflicts. Sigh.

Alas… “If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either.” Russian proverb.

 

So, what was I going to do?

 

I’ve got one more quotable for you: “Never half ass two things. Whole ass one thing.” Ron Swanson.

 

So, it’s time to whole ass – err – fully commit to this team and this endeavor this year.

 

I. AM. IN. Fully committed, getting stronger, and doing so mindfully. Here’s to 2017!

 

Are you with me?! What’s YOUR “all-in” this year? Anything you’ve been on the fence about that 2017 feels like the year to truly commit? A move, a job, a relationship, your health? A goal shared is a goal given power. Leave a comment below.

 

 

And lastly, now, we’ve got an ASK: Do you or someone you know work at companies that have the capacity and affinity to be a corporate sponsor for our Team USA footy team?

These are some things that would be good indicators of capacity and affinity:

1) Could spend $500- $5,000 or more on sponsorship,

2) Have business interests in Australia or are looking to expand there, or

3) Have sponsored sports teams in the past.

If the company you’re thinking of doesn’t meet any of these requirements they might not be a good candidate for sponsorship. If you are in doubt, please PM me and we can discuss. We’ve got an ASK: Do you or someone you know work at companies that have the capacity and affinity to be a corporate sponsor for our Team USA footy team? These are some things that would be good indicators of capacity and affinity:

1) Could spend $500- $5,000 or more on sponsorship,

2) Have business interests in Australia or are looking to expand there, or

3) Have sponsored sports teams in the past.

If the company you’re thinking of doesn’t meet any of these requirements they might not be a good candidate for sponsorship. If you are in doubt, please PM me and we can discuss.