By Terra Avilla
Fear is contagious. But so is courage. This week at church, Pastor Floyd spoke about courage, and its role in our lives and what we are commanded to do.
This resonated well with me, because in the past week, I had been told by dozens of people, commending me on how brave I was for competing in the Battle of the Badges in Reno last Saturday.
This is not my attempt to be humble, what I am about to say is 1,000% the truth.
I was empowered to do that, because I have been blessed enough to surround myself around people who want me to win. Who encourage me to win. Who make sacrifices, so that I can win. Who pray with me, so that I can win. Who encourage me with their own braveness, so that I am encouraged to be courageous.
When I stepped onto the stage I felt my heart pounding as I walked quickly over to my side of the mat. The referee leaned in and told me, “Do a lap. You have a lot of people here for you.”
I looked at him slightly confused and, he again nodded and said – “Do a lap.”
So, I bounced over to the other side of the stage and waved blindly in the area where I thought my daughters and Frankie were seated and hurriedly went back over to my side. His words resonated deeply as I glanced at the crowd, filled with familiar faces rooting and yelling for me.
My opponent was stronger and quicker, and I simply just performed at my best – she deserved her victory.
After the match, my daughters hugged me, saying they were proud. Frankie, Coach George, and my fellow teammate Andrew all gave me a hug all embraced me with words of encouragement. Manny would have, but he was starting his match – which he won!
The other grappler’s families gave me a hug and told me they were proud of me. My very first coach, Gary Grate went out of his way to give me a hug and that made me so sad that I lost in front of him. My old training partners. They people who paid all of that money to watch me. I felt so sad that they watched me lose.
However, after church I started looking at the pictures from the event. I took many pictures of Saturday’s events and there are two that stand out to me.
One was snapped by my aunt, and it is of Frankie praying with me before the event. The other is when I am on stage with my opponent acknowledging her win, her hand being raised in the air as the winner. It’s weird to me that I would like a picture so much that literally tells the tale, that I lost, but I do. I love it.
It made me realize that stepping onto that mat was more than just a competition; it was a testament to courage. I wanted to show my daughters that courage isn’t always about winning; it’s about showing up.
I’m profoundly grateful to everyone who supported me, proving that courage is indeed contagious. I keep thinking of the words, “Do a lap Terra, there are so many people here for you.” The thought and effect on that, is not lost on me.
I had a lot of people at the event, but I also had so many people helping me leading up to the event. Sweet little Rory in my children’s jiu jitsu class that gave a “good luck hug” at last week’s class, Nikki Jarrel, who made time at her very busy day to braid my hair, Cammo Miller met with me and helped me get in some stand up training, Alex and Jen from my gym came in on their days off to help get my cardio up, as well as all the texts, prayers and messages wishing me well.
My wonderful momma, sisters and aunts and cousins. Remi and Tod Hubbard came as well as Tony Ardito and his wonderful wife. I even saw Ashley Hahn! I was just in awe of the love that I received and the support.
Jeremy and Marshel went out of their way to show their support and wished me well, as well as Sparkly Lively and Joseph McKernan even took time out of their busy day to wish me well, despite the fact he had their own event that same day to focus on! The list goes on and on.
I lost and that is a not a pleasant thing, but as I look at this picture, with my opponent’s hand up in victory and mine down in defeat, I want to thank every single person for helping me be courageous.
Because turns out, courage is a team sport and I am so lucky to live in a community surrounded by wonderful people who help me be brave. So, if you aren’t feeling very brave or have something coming up that is making you fearful, take a lap, you have a lot of people that are there for you.
