What Makes the Difference

While I was waiting for my bus, I had my nose buried in this week's Sport magazine. This week's issue (#41) has Roger Federer, the tennis champion, on the cover. I always make it a point to read articles about him because I really admire him.

I looked up and saw my bus had arrived and was just leaving.

"Oh no, that was my bus and I've missed it!" I said out loud. "Oh, never mind!"

"There'll be a 230 arriving shortly," a man sitting beside me said. "You could catch it and change at Blackhorse Road."

"No, it's OK. Another bus will turn up soon enough."

I went back to the Federer interview and the following caught my attention.

It's often reported that you had quite a temper when you were young, yet you seem so calm on court now. How did you curb it?

"I enjoyed going crazy actually, that was part of my character. It was the way I was - I was very emotional and very outgoing. My parents would try to tell me that I would have to relax if I wanted to become a successful player. I was like, well thanks for telling me, but I can't help it - it just happens. Eventually, though, I did grow up and start to become more mentally and physically stronger. Also, I've now won more than 500 matches on tour. If I'm going to play 1,000 matches in my life, it's just not possible to go on some kind of emotional roller coaster every time. So I told myself to take it a little bit easier, which helped me start to play better, which in turn then enabled me to become more mellow on the court."

Although we did see a glimpse of the less mellow Federer at Wimbledon this year, when some of Hawkeye's decisions didn't go your way...

"Yeah, but it's okay to get frustrated with something other than yourself, because after that it's always easier to refocus. I'm not a fan of Hawkeye and I never will be - I just don't trust it." Roger Federer - On Top of the World by Sarah Shephard

I like that Roger accepts who he is, even when he was (or gets) emotional. He then made a choice to master his emotions. No wonder he is the world number 1!

Things happen, so what? Why beat yourself up about stuff? At least I get to choose again in the next moment.

Enocia

Related articles: My Recurring Theme Tune; Staying On an Even Keel; Love Anyway; What is Perfection?; Happiness; Be Like a Chair; Handle With Care; Our Daily Bread