As the readers it is your job to be critical of my ideas, to challenge yourself, and to explore new ways of thinking. My hope is that you learn about me, yourself, and those around you through my experiences as an athlete, a son, a student, a partner, a brother, a leader, and a teacher-to-be. The purpose of this blog is, first and foremost, a space for me to get things out of my head and onto paper. If it helps or intrigues people along the way then that’s an added bonus. Further I hope to use it to track the highs and lows of my journey and use it as a tool of reflection to learn from the past for future success. I want to share the quote that inspired the title of the blog. This quote has greatly aided my ability to appreciate the grind, improve my self talk, enjoy my life today, and simply enjoy the process of change, adaptation, and growth. “Read this simple analogy and see if an alternative to the judging process doesn't begin to emerge. When we plant a rose seed in the earth, we notice that it is small, but we do not criticize it as‘rootless and stemless.’ We treat it as a seed, giving it the water and nourishment required of a seed. When it first shoots up out of the earth, we don't condemn it as immature and underdeveloped; nor do we criticize the buds for not being open when they appear. We stand in wonder at the process taking place and give the plant the care it needs at each stage of its development. The rose is a rose from the time it is a seed to the time it dies. Within it, at all times, it contains its whole potential. It seems to be constantly in the process of change; yet at each state, at each moment, it is perfectly all right as it is.” (The Inner Game of Tennis, pp.21).Welcome to my attempt of tracking the many phases of life development all the while being perfectly alright as I am. Yours in full potential, Jesse