What I Almost Was

I try to spend time talking to the folks at the gym about their jiu jitsu journey, jiu jitsu philosophy, love of the sport and anything else I can get them to tell me.  It's quite interesting to hear their stories.  Jiu jitsu quite literally has really touched people's lives.  It has saved people's lives.  It has forever changed them.  For me it's kind of like this country music song by Eric Church, "What I Almost Was".  That's how I feel about jiu jitsu.  Thank God, I'm not, what I almost was...a sedentary, unhealthy, overweight, almost crippled "old" lady.  I had a great conversation with my blue belt buddy and it kind of sparked an idea.  I think I'm going to do a series of interviews...interview people at all stages of their journey...from white belt to black belt.  I'm really excited to hear what people have to say.  I'm really excited that I even want to do this.  I'm very shy by nature and that's another thing jiu jitsu is changing a little bit at a time.  It's given me courage.  I don't think I've ever felt so inspired and alive.  Before I was slowly dying a little bit at a time.  Sitting in my bed or on my couch, watching television, eating, never moving, never wanting to play with my kids, never wanting to take them anywhere, never wanting to do much of anything.  Jiu jitsu has completely changed all that.  One of my kids told me the other day that I was different now that I train jiu jitsu.  She said that now you want to go and do things and before you never wanted to do anything.  Well I have to tell you that was thrilling to hear and also hard to hear at the same time.  It's just like the song says "thank God I ain't, what I almost was".  Hopefully this hectic schedule of mine will settle down (or maybe it won't and that's okay too) and I will be able to devote some time to this little endeavor of mine.  But for now I'm going to leave you with another idea that has been brewing in my little old mind...jiu jitsu ink...it intrigues me, it fascinates me, I can't stop checking out people's ink, I love it!!  So, for all the world to see, here's my jiu jitsu ink (not the best picture, but it's the only one I've got and it's too late at night to take another one because everyone else in my house is asleep)!  Feel  free to share pictures of your ink.  In the meantime, go forth and train people!!  :)