Life Lessons I learned from CURLING

1. How to lose with grace

When Cheryl Bernard’s last shot ended the Gold-medal Olympic curling final – ended it badly for her – did Cheryl cry? Did she stomp? Collapse? Blame someone?  No. After gracious handshakes, she turned to her team and they closed ranks, supportive, calm, and in control of what must have been overwhelming disappointment.  This is how to lose, people.  

AND she won a Silver Medal at the Olympics. I wish I could do that.

2. Never lose faith

Everyone knows Kevin Koe’s story. Years and years of trying to get out of Alberta. Years and years of watching Kevin Martin and Randy Ferbey walk off with the Brier trophy and the shirts with the maple leafs on the back.  Years and years of coming oh so close.

This year?  Brier Champs.  World Champs.  It does happen, even when you think it never will.

3. There’s a little humour in everything

Norwegian pants. Enough said.

4. Use it or lose it

Okay, she’s not a household name.  And okay, you’ve probably never heard of her.  But my skip in the final draw of the Monday Night Business Ladies’ league at the Guelph Curling Club this year was the incomparable Hilda Peterson. She’s 94 years old and still curling.  Not only that, but she’s good at it, and she makes the game fun.  When I grow up, I want to be just like Hilda.

5. It’s okay to wave the flag

And chant.  And cheer. And sing our glorious anthem so loudly that an Olympic curling game has to grind to a halt to listen. Wave the flag, Canada.  We. Are. Just. Awesome.

6. Many hands make etc etc

How many people does it take to run a Grand Slam curling event? A club’s 175th Anniversary? A Little Rocks bonspiel? Lots. Curlers are experts at stepping up and taking on the often thankless role of volunteer. Other segments of society could learn a lot from this selfless, generous, fun-loving curling culture. Ever seen a 50-50 Ticket seller who’s not smiling?  I rest my case.

7. You don’t get anything if you don’t ask for it

I write and I curl.  I wanted to write about curling, so I got in contact with George Karrys, the editor of The Curling News, pointed him to my blog and asked if maybe I could sort of kind of try to maybe write something for his publication…? He said yes.  In fact, he not only said yes, but he gave me a number of cool assignments during the year, made sure I had access to the behind-the-scenes madness at a Grand Slam curling event, and edited my work with finesse and skill, making me look good in print. George, thank you!

I’m feeling pretty empowered now. I think I’ll ask Jennifer Jones if I can join her team…

8. How curling has made me a better person

See 1-7 above.

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